Property sources said Bank Negara’s new circular which bans interest capitalisation schemes (ICS) is not an attempt to fine-tune the measures proposed for the property sector under Budget 2014 but is merely “a guide for banks” when they finance house purchases. The new circular, effective Nov 15, which strikes at the ... Read More

A new circular from the central bank that took effect last Friday will pile more pressure on an already hard-hit property sector, even if its merits are likely to be felt in the long-term, analysts and industry executives said. In a bid to make the property market sustainable, the new ... Read More

Banning DIBS is the right move FOR many years, the National House Buyers Association (HBA) has been urging the Government to take measures to stem the steep rise in property prices to avoid a “homeless generation” as current property prices are far beyond the reach of many low and middle-income families in ... Read More

Motorists eager to try out the second Penang bridge linking Batu Maung here and Batu Kawan on the mainland will have to wait a little longer. Expectations of travelling on the 24km bridge – the longest in South-East Asia and 20th longest in the world – ran high after it ... Read More

THE SMJK Heng Ee branch school building project in Sungai Tiram, Penang, is moving ahead. The project’s special committee deputy chairman Datuk Alex Ooi(pic), who is also a director of the Heng Ee School Board, said land clearing works were currently being carried out on the 3.23ha plot. He said ... Read More

The commissioning of power supply to the second Penang bridge has been completed. All the street lights on the 24km-long bridge was lit up during an exercise yesterday. It is understood that the bridge is expected to be completed by Nov 8 and will be opened to the public several ... Read More

KOMTAR — arguably Penang’s best known landmark — will be revitalised to become one of the top tourism draws in the state. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state wanted to bring back the past glory of the iconic tower. “At one time, it was the main shopping centre ... Read More

PROPERTY consultants and analysts described the proposed new real property gains tax (RPGT) regime and the removal of the developers interest bearing scheme (DIBS) as both timely and much needed in view of the speculation in the property market of late. All of them agree that the overall budget for the property sector is good and are ... Read More

(Prime Minister's speech on property sector) Goods and Services Tax (GST) Sale, purchase and rental of residential properties as well as selected financial services are exempted from GST. Increasing Home Ownership The recent sharp increase in the prices of houses has affected the ability of the rakyat to purchase houses ... Read More

It is not fair to compare property prices in Penang with those in Singapore and Hong Kong, says CA Lim & Co’s principal Lim Chien Aun. “No doubt among the cheapest in the region, Penang, however, is not a financial centre like Singapore and Hong Kong, where there is substantial ... Read More