About GEM Residences

GEM Residences, a commercial development by Belleview Group at Prai, Penang. It is part of the company’s 6 hectares mixed development along Jalan Baru, diagonally opposite Megamall Penang. Next to it will be the upcoming largest mall in the northern region – GEM Mall, the tenant mix include SOGO (first and largest departmental store in the northen region at 212,000 sq.ft.) and a supermarket (largest at 50,000 sq.ft.).

Find out more about GEM Residences

The Penang government today announced that the Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) latest affordable housing project in Batu Kawan, called Suria 2, will have its construction works begin in Dec this year.

Suria 2, which will cover 7.48 acres of total land size, is part of the 25 phases planned under the affordable housing development by the Penang government in Batu Kawan.

PDC chief executive officer Aziz Bakar said that 200 acres of total land size have been allocated for the development of housing projects under the 25 phases planned out.

“We have planned to build a total of 11,800 units of various types of affordable housing in all the phases.

“As for Suria 2 (under Phase Two), we will have a total of 520 units.

“Out of the 520, 371 will be Type C units, while 149 will be Type B units.

“We are looking at completing the project within three years with an estimated budget of RM102 million for construction works,” Aziz told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Suria 2 affordable housing project in Batu Kawan today.

Suria 1, which was completed, was the first project under Phase One.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the ceremony, applauded PDC and the entire team for working hard in planning and executing affordable housing projects in the maturing township of Batu Kawan.

“The whole team is working hard to add value to the development of Batu Kawan as an all-rounder township in Penang.

“As we all know, Batu Kawan is a town that has it all, from commercial, residential and institutional developments to the ever-growing Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).

“Despite difficult situations, I believe Covid-19 has also opened a space to speed up developments here in Batu Kawan.

“Congratulations to PDC on Suria 2.

“We will continue to do our part in delivering sufficient affordable housing projects for Penangites,” said Chow during his speech.

Meanwhile, state Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the planning for housing in Penang has evolved tremendously over the years.

“PDC, as an experienced arm of the state government in the real estate sector, has greatly contributed to the development of affordable housing projects in Penang.

“It’s latest project, Suria 2, is a good proof that the state cares for the well-being of the people,” Jagdeep said.

Speaking of Suria 2, he added that Type C1 which cost RM72,500 for each unit, has a total size of 800sq ft; while Type C2 which is RM220,000 has 1,000sq ft in size. Meanwhile, Type B which is 900sq ft, cost RM168,000 per unit.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

House ownership remains among the top concerns for youths according to the first edition of the Youth Aspiration Manifesto Survey.

The three-part survey carried out by Architects of Diversity (AOD) in collaboration with Undi18 and UndiNegaraku comprised 3,089 respondents aged 18-30 nationwide.

AOD co-founder Jason Wee said the findings showed nearly two-thirds of respondents (59%) feared they would be unable to purchase a home in their lifetime.

“Almost all respondents (90%) wanted the government to develop more affordable homes, especially for youths aged 25-30.

“At the same time, three quarters (75%) of respondents felt that a ceiling price should be set on rent that can be charged on tenants,” he said at a press conference on April 7.

Wee added that 54% of respondents also agreed with the imposition of a tax towards property owners who left their properties vacant for prolonged periods.

Among other items highlighted in the survey were youth concerns about future employment opportunities, with bumiputera and east Malaysian respondents especially, expressing their concern.

“In regards to these issues, political parties and policymakers stand to gain youth support through providing economic empowerment.

“This cannot be further delayed as convincing and meaningful economic narratives have to be developed for the Malaysian youth,” he said.

The results from the second and third editions encompassing aspects of healthcare, and law and order will be made public within four weeks.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Following the introduction of Grains Residences, Znen Group is now proposing yet another serviced residence within the vicinity of Bandar Perda. The newly proposed development is located near Jalan Perda Utama 1, just a stone’s throw away from Grains Residences and Metropol. It is just a mere minute’s drive to Bukit Mertajam town centre, less than 10km from Penang bridge. Surrounding amenities include schools, hypermarket, banks, shopping malls and several popular eateries.

This development will see the construction of a 41-storey serviced residence, featuring 608 residential units with 7 levels of car parking podium. There will be a water theme park and recreational area located at level 8.

The project is still in its planning stage. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Serviced residence
Total Units : 608
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer: Znen Town Development Sdn. Bhd. (Znen Group)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

Penang government has spent a total of RM297.57 million involving 32,582 maintenance works at both the public and private housing schemes from 2008 until April 1 this year.

State Local Government, Housing, Town, and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state had spent a total of RM52.59 million on the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP), out from the total amount.

“We are always committed to maintaining the various housing schemes in the state.

“This involved a total of 317 applications made for 537 maintenance works, which have been carried out.

“These maintenance projects include the upgrading and replacing of lifts (316 projects) followed by water tank replacement and repair works (145 projects),” Jagdeep said in a press conference today.

Jagdeep added that the RM297.57 million spent also includes on the maintenance works for housing schemes under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP, RM25.54 million), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP, RM4.7 million) as well as the public housing schemes (RM214.72 million).

Jagdeep, nevertheless said the state government through the Penang Housing Board, has appealed to the Federal Government for an allocation of RM134.76 million this year.

“This is to cover the expenses of a total of 199 maintenance projects at both the public and private housing schemes.

“The allocation includes RM50.36 million for 73 maintenance projects under the ‘Program Penyelenggaraan Perumahan (PPP) and RM84.41 million for 126 maintenance projects under the ‘Tabung Penyelenggaraan Perumahan Malaysia’ (TPPM).

“Until March this year, the Federal Government has only approved a total of RM6.77 million for a total of 32 maintenance projects under the PPP and TPPM.

“Thus, the state government would like to appeal for more allocations to be channelled for the implementation of the various maintenance works,” he said.

Jagdeep, who visited the Taman Samak Flats said the state government has approved a total of RM93,120 from the TPM80PP fund for the piping system repair works. The total cost of the maintenance is RM116,400.

“As a state assemblyman for Datok Keramat, I will bear the remaining 20% which is equivalent to RM23,280,” he added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara