Over 1,000 visitors attended the sales gallery opening of The Rimbun

PTL Properties officially opened the new sales gallery for its latest development, The Rimbun, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, welcoming more than 1,000 guests to the launch event.

The celebration commenced with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a lion dance performance that added a festive atmosphere to the occasion.

Guests enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the day, including game stalls, an Aistru Coffee booth and complimentary fresh coconuts. Two alpacas were also featured at the event, allowing visitors to interact with the animals and capture memorable photographs.

The launch event was further enhanced by the participation of key opinion leaders (KOLs) Sai, Bernice, Vikram and Zomic, who joined the celebration and engaged with visitors. Guests also enjoyed an entertaining talk show featuring BBK Lucas and Kah Mun, which added another highlight to the programme.

Bacfree, the provider of The Rimbun’s centralised water-filtration system, also set up a booth at the event to explain the concept, features and benefits of centralised water filtration to visitors. The booth allowed guests to learn more about the system provided within the development.

Homebuyers who reserved a unit during the event were eligible to participate in a lucky draw featuring prizes worth up to RM30,000.

About The Rimbun

The Rimbun is an affordable strata townhouse development located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Designed as a gated and guarded community, the development aims to provide residents with a safe, comfortable and well-connected living environment.

The development includes a clubhouse featuring a variety of recreational and community facilities, including a community hall, swimming pool, indoor gym, outdoor gym, BBQ pit and other shared spaces designed to encourage an active and connected lifestyle.

Built on freehold land, The Rimbun comprises 664 townhouse units, offering residents greater privacy within a thoughtfully planned community.

Homebuyers may choose from two practical layouts with built-up areas of approximately 981 sq. ft. and 1,250 sq. ft. Each unit features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, making the homes suitable for individuals, young couples and growing families.

Key Highlights of The Rimbun

• Affordable strata townhouse development under the Penang Housing Board (Lembaga Perumahan Negeri Pulau Pinang)
• Freehold title
• Limited to only 664 units
• Most units feature a north–south orientation
• Exclusive clubhouse and recreational facilities
• Gated and guarded community with AI-powered CCTV surveillance
• EV charging point ready
• Indicative price ofRM400,000

The Rimbun reflects PTL Properties’ commitment to creating quality and affordable homes that combine practical layouts, modern conveniences, community facilities and enhanced security features.

For more information about The Rimbun, visit www.ptlproperties.com.my or visit The Rimbun Sales Gallery (Google Map/Waze) today.

Purchasers who acquire strata properties through court-ordered auctions cannot automatically be held responsible for unpaid maintenance charges and sinking fund contributions left behind by previous owners, the High Court has ruled in a decision expected to provide greater clarity for auction property buyers.

Judicial commissioner Moh Kok Wai said the law does not permit innocent purchasers to inherit the financial obligations of former owners simply because they acquired the property through a judicial sale.

The case involved the management corporation (MC) of Megan Avenue 1 in Kuala Lumpur and Rajinder Singh, who successfully purchased an office unit through a High Court e-auction in January 2024 after the previous owner defaulted on its bank loan.

The office unit was previously owned by Forward Wind Sdn Bhd, which had accumulated more than RM126,000 in unpaid maintenance charges, sinking fund contributions and related fees before becoming insolvent and being wound up.

Rajinder bought the property for RM1.62 million and was later registered as the new owner. Following the transfer, the MC sought payment of more than RM182,000 in outstanding charges incurred by the previous owner, arguing that Rajinder was a “successor-in-title” under the Strata Management Act 2013 and therefore liable for the arrears.

Rajinder disputed the claim, maintaining that as the property was acquired through a court-ordered foreclosure sale, he should only be responsible for charges incurred after he became the registered owner.

In dismissing the MC’s application, the court held that a purchaser in a judicial sale does not fall within the Act’s definition of a “successor-in-title”, which applies to voluntary transfers rather than court-ordered sales.

Moh said requiring auction buyers to settle undisclosed historical debts would undermine confidence in court-supervised auctions, where purchasers expect certainty and finality upon acquiring a property.

He added that imposing such liabilities would unfairly burden buyers who had no contractual relationship with the previous owner and no realistic means of discovering or avoiding the outstanding debts.

While acknowledging that the MC and other parcel owners may ultimately bear the financial impact of the previous owner’s insolvency, the judge said such losses cannot simply be shifted to an unrelated third party.

Describing the purpose of the Strata Management Act, Moh said the legislation was intended to facilitate orderly communal living rather than trap innocent purchasers in the financial failures of others.

The High Court dismissed the MC’s originating summons and awarded RM10,000 in costs to Rajinder Singh.

Image source: Buletin Mutiara

Penang has taken a major step towards safeguarding its long-term growth with the signing of a conditional Bulk Water Supply Agreement (BWSA) with Prasarana Air dan Irigasi Perak Sdn Bhd (PAIP Perak) under the Perak-Penang Water Project (P-PWP).

The agreement will allow Penang to receive between 300 million and 500 million litres of treated water per day (MLD) from Perak over a 40-year period from 2032 to 2072, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder endorsement.

The additional water supply is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Penang’s continued industrial expansion, new housing developments and growing population. Water demand in the state reached 865 MLD in 2025 and is projected to exceed 1,162 MLD by 2032, driven by ongoing investments in manufacturing, commercial activities and property projects.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described the agreement as Penang’s first major water agreement of the 21st century and the most significant since the commissioning of the Muda River Water Scheme in 1973. He said the project would provide Penang with a second major water source, strengthening the state’s long-term water security as it continues to attract investments and economic opportunities.

Under the project, PAIP Perak will develop, own and operate a new 500 MLD water treatment plant together with pumping stations, reservoirs and major pipelines in Perak. The dedicated infrastructure, estimated to cost RM8.4 billion, will be fully financed by PAIP Perak, meaning Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will not be required to fund the capital expenditure or bear operational, maintenance, land acquisition or raw water costs.

Instead, PBAPP will pay an annual capacity charge and a treated water tariff under the agreement once supply begins in 2032.

The additional treated water will primarily support future growth in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) and Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), where industrial activities, residential developments and commercial investments are expected to accelerate in the coming years. Sungai Muda will continue to serve as Penang’s primary raw water source.

Beyond meeting future demand, the project will also improve Penang’s resilience against climate change and prolonged dry spells by diversifying its water sources. As the state continues to position itself as one of Malaysia’s leading destinations for manufacturing, technology and property investment, securing a reliable long-term water supply is expected to provide greater confidence for businesses, developers and investors planning for the decades ahead.

The Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC) mixed development project in George Town will proceed as planned, following a review of the project’s status and implementation plans by the Penang state government.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the confirmation came after a special meeting held on July 8, following the state’s request for an update on the long-delayed development at Lot 10011, Jalan Zainal Abidin/Lorong Selamat.

According to Chow, the developer confirmed that all approvals issued by Penang Island City Council (MBPP), including the Building Plan approval and Commencement of Work (COW), remain valid. The approvals are based on the planning permission granted on March 19, 2019 for a 21-storey mixed-use development comprising a specialist hospital, hotel, mechanical parking system and supporting facilities.

Construction initially commenced after approvals were obtained in January 2020. Early works, including site clearing, hoarding installation, test piling, bored piling and earthworks, were completed by October 2020 despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the project was subsequently delayed due to supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, escalating construction costs and financing constraints.

The development was revived in 2024 following a change in shareholders and management, with the new team deciding to proceed without making any changes to the original approved design or layout.

Project architect Ar. Nora Che Idris said MBPP has confirmed that the existing approvals remain valid, allowing construction to continue without requiring fresh planning submissions. Weekly coordination meetings are currently being held between the developer and consultants to finalise technical and design matters.

The tender for the first building opened on May 12 and closed on June 27, attracting bids from five pre-qualified contractors. The main contractor is expected to be appointed in early August, with construction scheduled to begin by mid-August 2026.

The project is expected to take 36 months to complete, with the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) targeted for August 2029. Both the hospital and hotel are expected to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2029.

Built on a 1.003-acre site, the development will feature Victoria Specialist Hospital, offering at least seven specialist departments and 20 specialist clinics, alongside a 264-room hotel to accommodate patients, their families and medical tourists, further strengthening Penang’s position as a regional medical tourism destination.

Batu Kawan’s skyline continues to take shape, and with it, the confidence surrounding one of Penang’s most closely watched growth townships, Aspen Vision City (AVC).

The recent topping-off of Versa marks a significant construction milestone, signalling steady progress as the development moves closer to its targeted handover in 2027. Comprising two 37-storey towers with 490 units each, Versa is now visibly rising within AVC, strengthening its presence as part of Batu Kawan’s evolving urban landscape and standing as a clear, tangible marker that the project remains firmly on track.

For purchasers, this milestone carries meaning beyond bricks and steel. Rather than committing to a distant promise, buyers are now looking at a development with visible momentum and a delivery timeline that inspires confidence. With structural works reaching their highest point, the path to vacant possession is clearer than ever, opening the door to early planning, whether for occupation, rental income or long-term ownership.

Versa is designed for practical, contemporary living. Efficient layouts are paired with a thoughtfully curated range of lifestyle facilities, including a swimming pool, putting green, multi-purpose sports court and communal spaces built for recreation, wellness and social connection. More than just a place to live, Versa is shaped around a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

Beyond the development itself, Versa benefits from its address within one of Penang’s most dynamic emerging townships. Batu Kawan continues to attract homebuyers, professionals and investors, supported by excellent connectivity, established industrial parks, educational institutions and major transportation networks, placing work, lifestyle and daily convenience within effortless reach. Within this thriving setting, AVC adds its own lifestyle dimension, anchored by a 25-acre Central Park designed for leisure, wellness and community life. Retail, healthcare and dining options continue to grow around the precinct, rounding out a living environment that is as complete as it is connected.

As Batu Kawan writes its next chapter, Versa stands at an exciting point in its journey, with construction progressing, infrastructure maturing and demand for well-connected homes continuing to grow.

To learn more about Versa and its available options, visit the Aspen Vision City Sales Gallery in Batu Kawan, or connect with our sales consultant by clicking https://bit.ly/LiveChatWithAspen_Versa for further details.