DURING the major festivals in this country, we see the authorities conduct vigorous enforcement activities on various price-controlled food items. This is to prevent unscrupulous traders from exploiting the situation by increasing prices of what are deemed as essentials. Sometimes they even secretly stock up such items to create artificial ... Read More

CONSTRUCTION on the second Penang link is surging ahead of schedule with 84.35% of the massive project completed. Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd construction director Hamizol Ngah said as of Sept 20, work was 2.45% ahead of plan. “We are two months ahead of schedule from the September 2013 deadline. “We ... Read More

KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in real property gains tax (RPGT) announced in Budget 2013 will not have significant impact on the property sector, according two developers. Budget 2013 proposed a rise in RPGT from 10% to 15% for properties sold within the first two years and from 5% to 10% ... Read More

The Government acknowledges that comfortable and affordable housing is the most important basic necessity for the rakyat. The Government is committed in ensuring that the rakyat has the opportunity to own a house. This is not only an economic imperative, but also a moral imperative for a responsible Government. Therefore, ... Read More

SOME analysts have already downgraded the property sector amid speculations that Budget 2013 will implement tough measures on the industry. Soaring property prices are on most people’s minds but any steps taken to counter this may not be positively viewed by industry players. Yet, public outcry has been loud and ... Read More

GEORGE TOWN: A group of shop owners of Prangin Mall are crying foul over the developer’s failure to issue them with strata titles over the past 12 years. Prangin Mall Joint Body Management chairperson Terri Yeoh Mooi Sim said the shop owners had suffered great losses as the market value ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Exorbitantly high selling prices, stringent banking rules and a generally cautious sentiment that has been having an impact on the Malaysian property market this year could continue into 2013. Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) deputy president Siva Shanker said property transactions in the first half of 2012 had slowed ... Read More

THE coming Budget 2013 is expected to address two interesting issues - how to curb the speculative property market and how to address the issue of affordable housing. In a recent report, Kenanga Research says market talk is that the Government will consider hikes in real property gains tax (RPGT) and increase ... Read More

MOTORISTS travelling along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang should enjoy a smoother journey after the road-widening project is completed by end of this month. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project was carried out by IJM Corporation Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority. “The ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Kenanga Research has downgraded the property development sector to a “neutral” rating from “overweight” previously, due to potential worse-than-expected Budget 2013 risks. It noted that recent news reports had indicated that Budget 2013 would see measures to control the soaring prices of property, including tighter fiscal policies to curb speculation ... Read More