Since its initial preview in February this year, The Fount has continued to attract encouraging market attention, achieving a remarkable take-up rate that reflects strong buyer confidence in both the value proposition and the quality of the development.

Positioned as the final and most refined chapter within The Sanctuary enclave in Batu Uban, The Fount has resonated strongly with discerning homebuyers seeking a balanced lifestyle, one that harmonises modern urban convenience with the calming presence of nature.

Balance Between Nature and City Convenience

One of the strongest reasons buyers are drawn to The Fount is its unique setting, offering the calming presence of Penang’s hills and coastline while remaining closely connected to the island’s key destinations.

Modern homeowners increasingly value environments that promote wellbeing and peace of mind. The Fount delivers exactly that – a residential sanctuary where residents can retreat from the noise and density of urban living without sacrificing accessibility.

This balance between serenity and connectivity has become increasingly difficult to find in Penang’s property landscape, making The Fount a compelling choice for both owner-occupiers and long-term investors.

Low Density Living Is Becoming More Valuable

Today’s buyers are placing greater emphasis on privacy, comfort, and spaciousness. As many new developments continue moving toward higher-density configurations, low density residences are becoming increasingly sought after.

The Fount appeals strongly to buyers who appreciate a more exclusive environment with fewer neighbours, reduced congestion, and a more peaceful lifestyle atmosphere. For some families, these qualities translate into a better daily living lifestyle experience.

For working professionals, it offers a calmer retreat after work.

For investors, it creates stronger long-term desirability in the resale and rental market.

Low-density developments within mature island locations are limited and increasingly difficult to replicate.

Buyers Are Prioritising Lifestyle Quality

Property purchasing decisions today are no longer based solely on square footage or pricing. Buyers are increasingly investing in lifestyle quality, choosing homes that positively influence how they live, rest, and spend time with family.

The Fount’s environment has been carefully envisioned to create that elevated lifestyle experience. Landscaped spaces, greenery, resort-inspired ambience, and calming surroundings all contribute to a living experience that feels more intentional and restorative.

This emotional connection is one of the key reasons why the project has resonated strongly with discerning purchasers.

Confidence in Long-Term Value

The positive take-up rate also reflects confidence in developments that offer sustainable long-term value rather than short-term market excitement.

Homebuyers today are paying closer attention to:

• Location fundamentals
• Development planning quality
• Developer reputation
• Future growth potential
• Liveability and practicality

The Fount stands out because it addresses these considerations holistically. Buyers recognise that well-planned freehold developments in strategic island locations remain highly resilient over time, particularly when supply is limited.

As Penang’s southern corridor continues to evolve with infrastructure upgrades and economic expansion, demand for quality residential addresses within established neighbourhoods is expected to remain strong.

Why The Fount is chosen?

Many buyers are also attracted to The Fount because it offers something increasingly rare in modern developments: “a sense of timelessness”.

Rather than chasing temporary design trends, the project embraces a refined and understated character that prioritises comfort, elegance, and everyday practicality. This creates a home environment that owners can continue appreciating for years to come.

Read more about The Fount: A refined finale at The Sanctuary.

Owning The Fount is not simply about owning a property; it is about owning a space that continues to feel meaningful over time.

Visit the latest show unit today to experience the development first-hand.

• Runnymede Group of Companies Sales Gallery 554 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11700 Gelugor, Penang
• Call 04-659 8899 / WhatsApp on www.wasap.my/60194155881
• Website: www.thefount.com.my

More information on the Group’s future developments can be found at www.runnymede.com.my.

The PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia with iProperty is making its final call for submissions ahead of the 29 May 2026 deadline, with an expanded lineup of categories that mirrors a market evolving well beyond its traditional strengths.

This year, the 13th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia with iProperty is proud to welcome Lim Soh & Goonting Advocates & Solicitors as the Lead Legal Advisor for the Awards.

As an integral part of the prestigious PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, which recognises achievers across diverse Asia-Pacific markets, the 2026 PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia with iProperty will set the highest benchmarks for outstanding achievement in residential, commercial, township, design, and ESG-driven developments.

Lim Soh & Goonting’s support underscores the importance of legal and advisory excellence in an increasingly complex real estate environment that puts governance, compliance, and investor confidence at the forefront of decision-making. The dynamic team of experienced lawyers supports the awards’ consistent commitment to recognising design and development achievement in Malaysian real estate.

The gala dinner and presentation of the 13th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia with iProperty will be held Friday, 2 October 2026. This sets the stage for the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in December 2026, during which winners from Malaysia will advance to compete on an international stage.

Key dates for the 2026 edition are:

• 29 May 2026 – Entries Close
• 18-30 June 2026 – People’s Choice Awards voting period
• 30 June – 2 July 2026 – Live Judging Days
• 2 October 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 11 December 2026 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

Live Judging Days

Entries will be evaluated in a transparent, independent selection process during the Live Judging Days, overseen by a panel of experts including C-suite executives and senior practitioners from Malaysia’s leading professional bodies. This multi-disciplinary representation ensures credibility and a fair assessment of every submission.

Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail, chairperson of the PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia judging panel and president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) 2020–2022, said: “The architecture of property development is being redrawn from the ground up, with ESG compliance coming as standard in anticipation of a national carbon market coming online. We’re excited for a year of better building performance and an industry increasingly treating sustainability as a design discipline rather than a checklist. This shift in mindset is one we’d love to recognise at the awards, and we would encourage practitioners leading this charge to step forward. Our panel is eager to see the visionaries breaking new ground in Malaysian development and design.”

Vic Sithasanan, Managing Director, PropertyGuru Malaysia and iProperty Malaysia; and Jules Kay, Managing Director, PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “In Malaysia, we see a market that has held its own against global headwinds and external risks. The momentum has shifted into segments that were not at the forefront of the conversation a few years ago. Malaysia is now a logistics hub, offering supply chain diversification, and the country’s emerging asset classes now form new pillars of demand alongside its steady residential real estate base. Transaction values have edged higher even as volumes have remained measured. This wider scope is setting Malaysia apart as a dependable ASEAN hub for investment, and our Asia Awards programme in Malaysia this year will capture that momentum.”

2026 categories

The 2026 categories introduce new Developer titles such as Best Condo Developer, Best Landed Homes Developer, and Best Master Developer, recognising excellence on both project and portfolio levels. High Rise and Landed segments have been strengthened with Best First Home and Best International categories that address affordability, accessibility, and cross-border appeal. The township segment adds Best Resort Style Township and Best Destination Development for master-planned communities excelling in lifestyle integration while Best Landmark Development now recognises projects that define cityscapes and commercial hubs.

New ESG-focused accolades will honour environmental stewardship and positive community outcomes: Sustainable Living Champion, Responsible Construction Champion, and Community Impact Champion. Complementing the judged categories, the People’s Choice Awards will return, empowering consumers to vote for the Top 10 Developers in Malaysia. The 2025 edition attracted over 20,000 public votes, emphasising its significance among property seekers.

The PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia with iProperty is supported in 2026 by Lead Legal Advisor Lim Soh & Goonting Advocates & Solicitors; official portal partners PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com; official ESG knowledge partners GreenRE, Green Building Index (GBI), and Malaysia Green Building Council (MGBC); official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

Upcoming multi-storey parking facility at Gurney Bay (Source: The Star)

Persiaran Gurney, one of Penang’s most iconic coastal stretches, is undergoing a series of significant changes aimed at improving traffic flow, parking management, and pedestrian experience.

Among the most visible changes is the closure of the iconic roundabout near the Anjung Gurney open-air hawker centre, which has been boarded up as part of ongoing underground sewer piping works and its integration into a new multi-lane expressway connecting to Andaman Island.

At the same time, authorities have begun removing roadside parking bays along Persiaran Gurney. Several dozen bays — from near the roundabout to opposite Gurney Plaza — were taken out in early May as part of a broader traffic management plan. Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo confirmed that a formal announcement would follow once the city council completes its technical assessment.

Central to the transformation is the expansion of parking capacity at Gurney Bay. Phase One already provides 68 car parking bays, while Phase Two adds 143 ground-level bays opposite the Bali Hai restaurant. The centrepiece, however, is an upcoming multi-storey parking facility that will offer an additional 602 bays, bringing the total parking capacity in the area to well over 800 bays. Motorcyclists are also catered for, with 233 bays spread across both phases and the new multi-storey facility. To support tourism, 12 dedicated bus parking bays have been allocated in Phase Two.

Woo noted that the 193 roadside parking bays currently along Persiaran Gurney and adjacent roads contribute significantly to congestion, effectively reducing moving lanes to single lanes during peak periods. Channelling motorists into designated facilities, he believes, will meaningfully improve traffic dispersal along the coastal road.

Adding to the area’s rejuvenation is the long-awaited relocation of the Anjung Gurney hawker centre into a purpose-built facility at Gurney Bay, expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027. The new centre will house 127 food stalls, seven beverage stalls, 17 retail units, and 43 kiosks — easing the chronic congestion that has long plagued the area around the existing hawker centre.

Woo envisions Persiaran Gurney evolving into a model urban district with smoother traffic, safer streets, and vibrant public spaces that both locals and tourists can enjoy.

Looking for your dream home while enjoying a sweet weekend treat? Head over to the Scooplicious weekend happening at SkyWorld Gallery, Seberang Jaya from 30 May to 1 June 2026.

Visitors can explore thoughtfully designed show units, discover attractive home packages with loans from RM379K*, and enjoy free ice cream treats* throughout the event.

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or planning for your next move, this is a great opportunity to experience modern homes in a relaxed and family-friendly setting.

Event Details:

Highlights

• Show unit open for viewing & explore thoughtfully designed homes
• Loan from RM379K* with attractive packages
• Free ice cream treats*

Venue: SkyWorld Gallery, Seberang Jaya
Date: 30 May – 1 Jun (Saturday – Monday)
Time: 10am – 5pm

Eco Horizon at Batu Kawan, Penang

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary has acquired a substantial stake in Eco World Development Group Bhd and its sister company, expanding the tycoon’s portfolio of developers.

The shares in EcoWorld, equivalent to 30.1%, were sold by former deputy chairman Datuk Leong Kok Wah through a private vehicle, according to an exchange filing on Monday. The sale also resulted in Syed Mokhtar controlling a 33.28% stake in EWI Capital Bhd.

The transaction details were not disclosed. Based on May 15’s closing price, the stakes in EcoWorld and EWI Capital would’ve been worth over RM2 billion combined.

EcoWorld executive chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin thanked Leong’s support as a shareholder over the past 13 years in a statement.

“We welcome Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar as the new substantial shareholder of EcoWorld, and we look forward to working with him to take EcoWorld to greater heights in the years ahead,” he added.

The acquisition comes at a time when Syed Mokhtar is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) of its joint venture Australian developer Walker Corp. The IPO of WM Senibong Bhd could raise as much as RM500 million, according to an April Bloomberg report.

Syed Mokhtar’s property flagship is Tradewinds Corporation Bhd, which also owns hotels and resorts as well as invests in commercial properties.

Leong transferred all of his shares in Syabas Tropikal Sdn Bhd to Syed Mokhtar on May 15. Syabas Tropikal owns 100% of Sinarmas Harta Sdn Bhd, which in turn holds the EcoWorld shares. EcoWorld is also the holding company of Eco World Capital (International) Sdn Bhd.

Sinarmas and Eco World Capital hold direct shareholdings in EWI Capital. Leong similarly ceased to be a substantial shareholder in EWI Capital after the transfer of his shares in Syabas Tropikal.

EcoWorld owns more than 12,000 acres of land that could be developed into properties worth RM100 billion across Klang Valley, Johor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan. EWI Capital, formerly known as Eco World International Bhd, mainly develops properties in the UK and Australia.

Shares of EcoWorld closed up one sen or 0.48% at RM2.09 on Monday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM6.7 billion ahead of the announcement. Meanwhile, EWI Capital closed unchanged at 19 sen, valuing it at RM456 million.

Source: TheEdgeMalaysia.com