KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Raya Developments Bhd (BRDB) says its joint venture with Multi-Purpose Holdings Bhd (MPHB) will open new avenues for the company for land development.

BRDB is seeking opportunities to diversify its development portfolio to grow itself, said its chief marketing officer K.C. Chong.

In April, BRDB's wholly-owned units, Pinggir Mentari Sdn Bhd, Orion Vibrant Sdn Bhd and Magna Senandung Sdn Bhd, signed three separate joint venture agreements with subsidiaries of MPHB – Tibanis Sdn Bhd, Magnum.Com Sdn Bhd and Mimaland Bhd.

The joint venture is centred on developing 268ha in Mimaland, Gombak; Rawang and Penang. It will be the first venture for BRDB in these locations.

BRDB has long been accredited with the establishment of Bukit Bandaraya in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. It also has projects in the Kuala Lumpur city centre and Johor.

The company's vision moving forward is to provide the unique Bangsar lifestyle in Rawang, Mimaland and Penang.

Chong told Business Times that the joint venture is working towards launching the projects, with an estimated gross development value of more than RM4.25 billion, after 2012.

"The projects are still in the planning stages. Penang would be our most expensive development. We plan to build luxury houses and condominiums, worth more than RM1 million each," Chong said.

In Rawang, the joint venture is planning to build mixed residential properties and a commercial hub.

Chong said the development planned for Mimaland will be the most exciting as it would change the area's landscape.

Mimaland was once a famous recreation park. It opened in 1975 and ceased operations in 1993, following some unresolved plans for expansion.

The joint venture project will include eco-friendly hillside, courtyard and waterfront landed homes set among natural waterways, valleys and water bodies with mature forest views.

Chong said properties at its Rawang and Mimaland projects will start from RM500,000.

SOURCE: Business Times

( This project is now known as Setia Sky 8 @ Setia Pearl Island )

The Wave, an upcoming condominium development at Setia Peral Island. This new development comprises 3 blocks with unit size ranging from 1,100 square feet to 2,000 square feet with full condo’s facilities.

Property Project : The Wave @ Setia Pearl Island
Location : Setia Pearl Island, Sungai Ara, Penang
Property Type : Condominium
Built-up Area: 1,100 sq.ft. onwards
Total Units : 539
Land Tenure: Freehold
Developer : SP Setia

THE Penang Housing Department has offered 95 people units at the Sri Saujana flats on Macal- lum Street, and they will move in after their bank loans have been approved.

State Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said these people were squatters and residents affected by the Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project.

He was responding to a query by Pengkalan Kota Barisan Nasional coordinator Loke Poh Chye on why 324 low medium-cost units at the Sri Saujana flats had been left empty.

Wong in a statement said the remaining units would be offered to eligible applicants next month.

Loke had said that it was important for the state to fill up the empty units, as they would not only turn into breeding grounds for mosquitoes but also attract drug addicts, who might use the units as their haunt.

Source: The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Thousands of people converged at the Auto-City in Juru here to usher in National Day.

Merrymakers, shoppers and diners gathered at the venue as early as 7.30pm yesterday to be part of the celebration which was among the highlights of the three-day 2011 GLANZ Merdeka Living Green, Beauty and Health Carnival which ends tomorrow.

A host of events was held to keep the crowd entertained till the countdown which began 10 seconds before midnight.

Penang Health, Welfare, Environ-ment and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh joined Highway Auto-City managing di-rector Gary Teoh and representatives from several sponsors on stage to lead the countdown while waving mini Jalur Gemilang.

The crowd was also thrilled with celebrity appearances and perfor-mances by, among others, Miss World Malaysia 2008 winner Soo Wincci, Bossa Princess Z Yan, and singer, songwriter and TV host Gary Yap.

The three-day carnival was orga-nised by Junior Chamber Interna-tional (JCI) Butterworth City and managed by Glanz Event Manage-ment in conjunction with the National Day.

Other highlights of the carnival is the Miss Glanz beauty contest, a teh tarik competition, a song composing competition and a recycling competition for children.

There is also an exhibition featuring more than 30 booths which, among others, showcase healthcare and lifestyle products, properties and automative supplies. The carnival will be open from 4pm to midnight today and tomorrow. Admis-sion is free.

SOURCE: The Star

PROPERTY developers with projects in Batu Maung, Penang, have expressed their commitment to help out during flood-related emergencies.

Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said they would work closely with all eight Com-munity Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) in the constituency.

?In view of the rainy spell, each JKKK will set up a Rapid Action Force with the help of the developers and Penang Municipal Council to prepare for all eventualities.

?The public can contact the respective JKKKs for help during emergency,? he said.

The numbers of the JKKKs are as follow: Sg Ara (013-4883445), Bukit Gedung (019-4142904), Teluk Tempoyak (013-5137324), Batu Maung (016-4131841), Kg Naran (012-4183048), Sg Tiram (017-4279353), Kongsi 10 (016-5622872) and Permatang Damar Laut (012-5787964).

The public can also call Abdul Malik (019-4451005) or his service centre (013-5101968) for assistance.

Abdul Malik was speaking to reporters yesterday after meet- ing with the developers? repre- sentatives from Mah Sing Group Bhd, PLB Properties, Sunway City Berhad (SunCity) Property Development and Setia Promena-de.

During the meeting, they also discussed how to prevent the backflow of seawater, the synchronising of old and new drains, silting problems and retention ponds.

He said Batu Maung was vulnerable to high tides and strong winds due to its close proximity to the sea.

At the same time, he advised Batu Maung residents to obtain the latest information from relevant agencies such as the state Meteorological Department.

SOURCE: The Star