Source: Google Street View

The Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) will expand its facilities with the addition of a new wing on land formerly occupied by the abandoned Bukit Mertajam Resthouse.

The Penang government has approved the concession of the 3.2ha site, located across the road from the hospital, to address rising healthcare needs.

Human Resources Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim said the expansion project is at the design stage.

“Hospital Bukit Mertajam now has about 240 beds. We hope to at least double that with the upgrade,” he told reporters after a visit to the hospital.

Sim added that he will meet Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to expedite planning approval and secure federal support for the project.

The former resthouse was among several colonial-era facilities that provided accommodation for government officers during work travel. It has remained abandoned for years as hotels became more prevalent.

Sim’s visit followed the hospital’s recognition at the 2025 Hospital Management Asia Awards, where it won the Gold Award for Most Sustainable Hospital in Asia.

“This is no ordinary feat for a 135-year-old hospital,” he said, noting that energy use had been reduced by nearly 11%, equivalent to planting about 4,000 trees and avoiding 350 tonnes of carbon emissions. The savings also cut operating costs by RM250,000 last year.

He credited initiatives such as the hospital’s zero-waste programme, a paperless emergency department and upgraded toilet facilities. His office contributed RM200,000 to improve sanitation facilities, which he described as vital in a healthcare environment.

Sim also highlighted the installation of a RM5mil CT scanner last year, secured during his tenure in the Finance Ministry. The scanner has enabled the hospital to serve about 6,500 patients annually, reducing the need for transfers to other hospitals in Seberang Jaya or George Town.

Hospital director Dr R. Prashant thanked Sim for his continued support, saying annual allocations had helped modernise services ranging from IT upgrades to medical equipment.

“The expansion will strengthen the hospital’s ability to serve the Bukit Mertajam community,” he said.

About Mertajam Heights

A residential development in the heart of Bukit Mertajam. Strategically located along Jalan Ciku, immediately opposite Ng Yam Huat food court with an abundance of essential amenities within 2km radius. The development features a 21-storey apartment building that offers a total of 278 residential units and 4 levels of car park. The residential units come in various sizes, ranging from 1,000sq.ft. to 1,498sq.ft. and offer a dual-key option.

*Photo taken end-Aug 2025

Find out more about Mertajam Heights

Harmoni Vista, an affordable housing project in Teluk Kumbar by Definite Harmoney Development Sdn. Bhd. Located along Jalan Teluk Kumbar, the site sits diagonally opposite Flat Taman Emas and about 500 meters from The Lexis Suites and the Sunway Aspera housing scheme. The project will comprise a 16-storey apartment with two residential blocks.

A total of 214 affordable units will be offered, consisting of 85 units of type C3 and 129 units of type B1. Type C3, housed in Block A, has a built-up area of 850 sq. ft., while Type B1 in Block B offers 700 sq. ft. Both layouts come with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each block will also feature a dedicated facilities floor, with Block A including a swimming pool.

Project Name : Harmoni Vista
Location : Teluk Kumbar
Property Type : Affordable housing
Tenure: Freehold
Total Units : 85 (Type C3), 129 (Type B1)
Built-up Size: 850 sq.ft.(Type C3), 700 sq.ft.(Type B1)
Indicative Price : RM300,000 (Type C3), RM72,500 (Type B1)
Developer : Definite Harmony Development Sdn. Bhd. (WHH Land)

Location Map:

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’s real estate sector reached a new milestone today with the official launch of the 69-storey Westin Residences Penang — the tallest residential building in northern Malaysia, designed with an earthquake-resistant structure.

The launch was officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail — who is also the chairman of Westfield Global Sdn Bhd — at the project’s sales gallery in Gurney Drive, here today.

He was accompanied by the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. Also present was Marriott International vice-president of Hotel Development, Asia Pacific, Andree Susilo.

In a statement distributed during the launch, Westin Residences Penang group managing director, Datuk Yeoh Yih Sean said the project builds on the success of earlier collaborations with Marriott International, including the Penang Marriott Hotel and Marriott Residences.

He added that the project has recorded a 75 per cent take-up rate since its soft launch.

“This encouraging response is a clear testament to the growing demand for branded residences that provide an elevated lifestyle and the services of a trusted brand,” he said.

Yeoh said that buyers can choose from a wide range of unit types, from 1,033 square feet (sq ft) to 3,670 sq ft, with prices starting from RM2,000 per sq ft.

Source: Bernama

Malaysia’s housing market remained sluggish in the first half of 2025, weighed down by unsold affordable homes and weakening developer confidence, according to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda).

At the release of its Property Industry Survey for 1H2025 and Market Outlook for 2H2025 and 1H2026, Rehda highlighted a persistent mismatch between housing supply and buyer affordability. Datuk NK Tong, Rehda’s immediate past president, said unsuitable locations and price-income gaps were the primary reasons behind unsold units.

“Under current rules, developers must allocate up to 50% of units for affordable housing regardless of location. While the policy is well-intentioned, this blanket approach often disconnects supply from demand,” Tong explained. Data from the National Property Information Centre (Napic) showed that affordable homes made up 20.7% of Malaysia’s unsold units in Q1 2025—the largest category of residential overhang.

Developer sentiment weakens

The survey revealed a sharp fall in market confidence. Only 19% of 187 senior executives expressed optimism about mid-2025 prospects, compared with 51% six months earlier. Confidence in sales also slumped to 19%.

Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang cited rising construction costs, labour shortages, financing hurdles and uncertainty over the upcoming sales and service tax (SST) as major concerns. Reflecting the cautious mood, just 41% of developers plan to launch new projects in the second half of the year, down from 56% previously.

Financing challenges and loan rejections

The report also noted a 26% decline in new residential launches, with sales rates for new units falling sharply to 24% from 55% in late 2024. While landed 2- and 3-storey terraces continued to perform relatively better, overall demand remained muted.

Financing remained a key obstacle, with 71% of developers citing difficulties in securing end-financing for buyers. Loan rejection rates were highest for homes priced between RM300,001 and RM500,000, a segment targeted as affordable housing. More than half of developers held unsold completed units, mostly serviced residences priced above RM1 million or within the RM500,001–RM600,000 bracket.

Rising costs and tax worries

Although residential construction is exempt from the SST, developers flagged complications in separating taxable labour costs from non-taxable materials in mixed contracts. Rehda has proposed a simplified flat-rate approach and is engaging authorities to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, 74% of respondents reported higher business costs, squeezing profit margins further.

Outlook ahead

For the second half of 2025, developers are planning 24,427 new units—7,608 landed and 16,819 strata—but expect modest take-up rates of 25%–50% after six months.

The overall outlook for the next 12 months is described as neutral, with a slight uptick in optimism for early 2026. Tong cautioned, however, that sentiment may shift once the full impact of the SST becomes clearer.

Rehda reiterated its call for the revival of the Home Ownership Campaign to stimulate demand and reaffirmed its members’ commitment to delivering quality, affordable housing despite ongoing challenges.