Penang has taken another major stride in its journey to become a regional hub for high-value investments and digital innovation with the launch of GBS By The Sea, a RM296 million purpose-built facility under the Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) Global Business Services (GBS) initiative.

Located in the Technoplex zone of Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, the state-of-the-art building contributes 290,000 square feet of modern workspace to Penang’s innovation landscape. Notably, the facility is fully tenanted even before launch, underscoring the strong investor confidence in the state’s economic vision.

Officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the launch marks the fourth GBS project delivered by PDC in recent years. Chow lauded PDC for its speed and ambition, recalling the launch of GBS TechSpace just last year.

“PDC has delivered fast, and delivered well,” said Chow. “This is more than just a building—it’s a sign of what Penang is becoming.”

GBS By The Sea is now home to three major global companies: AMD Global Services, Celestica Platform and Cloud Solutions Malaysia, and Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre. These firms are expected to collectively create over 1,000 high-value jobs in areas such as research and development, IC design, digital services, and engineering—supporting Penang’s ongoing transition to a knowledge-driven economy.

More than just a workplace, GBS By The Sea was also designed with people in mind. The facility includes a gym, cafeteria, and a six-storey car park with 800 bays, reflecting a new standard for modern, employee-focused work environments.

Looking ahead, Chow revealed that a fifth GBS facility—GBS at Technoplex—is already in the pipeline. With an estimated investment of RM500 million and a proposed 400,000 square feet of space, it has already secured 16% pre-booking ahead of construction.

“This early demand shows the continued strength of Penang’s investment ecosystem,” said Chow.

Beyond infrastructure, Chow also welcomed the recent reduction in U.S. tariffs on Malaysian exports, from 25% to 19%, describing it as a boost to Penang’s global trade competitiveness. He stressed the importance of long-term planning to support this growth, particularly in infrastructure and utilities.

Key among these plans is the Perak–Penang Water Project, which aims to meet growing industrial water needs by 2030 or 2031. Chow confirmed that negotiations with Perak are set to begin soon.

“As Penang opens up more industrial zones, we must ensure the necessary infrastructure follows,” he said, expressing hope for continued support from the federal government and MITI to bolster the state’s semiconductor and digital economy ecosystem.

You’ve probably come across property ads boasting about their “QLASSIC score”—but what is it, really? Is it just another marketing term, or does it actually tell you something important about the quality of a home? As more developers highlight their QLASSIC achievements, it’s worth understanding what this score means, how it’s assessed, and why it could matter more than you think—especially if you’re buying a new home.

The QLASSIC score, short for Quality Assessment System in Construction, is a standardized method developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia to evaluate the workmanship quality of building construction projects. Introduced as part of Malaysia’s Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP), QLASSIC aims to raise construction standards by offering a measurable and objective benchmark for quality. It plays a pivotal role in promoting accountability among developers and contractors while giving buyers confidence in the homes they purchase.

What is QLASSIC?

At its core, QLASSIC is a quantitative assessment system based on Construction Industry Standard (CIS 7). It assesses the quality of workmanship of building projects through on-site inspections using a scoring system. The inspection does not evaluate the structural integrity or safety aspects (which are covered under other regulations and codes), but rather the visual quality and compliance of completed works against set tolerances and acceptable standards.

How is the QLASSIC Score Assessed?

The assessment process begins once a building reaches a specific level of completion—typically when major works are finished but before the final handover. Trained QLASSIC assessors conduct a physical inspection based on a statistically selected sample of units and building elements. These include:

• Architectural works (e.g., wall alignment, tiling, plastering, paintwork)
• Structural works (e.g., columns, beams, slabs—visually only)
• Mechanical and electrical (M&E) works (e.g., pipe installation, sockets, switches)
• External works (e.g., roads, drains, fencing)

Each component is evaluated against predefined quality standards and tolerances. Points are awarded based on compliance and deducted where defects, non-conformities, or poor workmanship are observed.

The final QLASSIC score is calculated as a percentage, with higher scores reflecting better workmanship. A score of 80% and above is generally considered excellent, while 70%–79% is good, 60%–69% is satisfactory, and anything below may indicate a need for improvement.

What Does the QLASSIC Score Mean?

For developers, a high QLASSIC score is a mark of pride and professionalism. It demonstrates commitment to delivering quality homes and may give them a competitive edge in a discerning market. Some government-linked projects and affordable housing schemes even require minimum QLASSIC compliance as part of their approval conditions.

For homebuyers, the QLASSIC score provides a transparent indicator of construction quality. It helps them make more informed decisions when selecting a property. Unlike subjective marketing claims, QLASSIC scores are certified by a third party (CIDB) and thus offer greater reliability.

Additionally, for industry stakeholders, QLASSIC promotes continuous improvement. By benchmarking performance across projects and developers, it encourages the adoption of best practices, skilled labor, and quality management systems.

– Ken Lim
(Founder, PenangPropertyTalk.com)

The federal government, in collaboration with state authorities and private developers, will build one million affordable housing units between 2026 and 2035. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement while tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat.

The large-scale housing initiative aims to improve access to safe, comfortable, and affordable homes for more Malaysians. It will be carried out through various programmes including Residensi MADANI, the Public Servants Housing Scheme, the New Home Construction Assistance Programme, Rumah Bakat MADANI, and the Affordable Housing Scheme.

As of this year, 180,000 homes have been completed, with another 235,000 currently under construction. However, Anwar acknowledged that issues such as the mismatch between housing supply and demand and high property prices continue to hinder access to home ownership.

To address these challenges, the government plans to expand the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Rent-to-Own (RTO) programme, targeting low- and middle-income groups. Additionally, the use of modern construction technologies like the Industrialised Building System (IBS) and Building Integrated Management will help accelerate construction and lower costs, especially for public housing.

Anwar also pointed to Kota MADANI in Putrajaya — a partnership with Putrajaya Holdings — as a future model for affordable housing. The development is based on the concept of umran hadhari, or urban prosperity grounded in ethics, sustainability, and modern values.

“This approach offers citizens not only a place to live, but a meaningful urban lifestyle that integrates progress with values, modernity with ethics, and technology with humanity,” he said.

The 13MP, which spans 2026 to 2030, is themed Melakar Semula Pembangunan (Redesigning Development). It aims to reform Malaysia’s socio-economic agenda under the MADANI framework, focusing on inclusivity, sustainability, and national resilience.

Paramount Corp Bhd is set to strengthen its presence in Penang with the acquisition of an 18.97-acre freehold parcel in Bandar Cassia from Penang Development Corporation for RM57.841 million. Located near its existing Utropolis Batu Kawan development, the site is poised for a mixed-use project comprising serviced apartments, semi-detached townhouses, and shop offices.

The planned development, expected to begin construction in 2027 and complete by 2033, carries an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM744 million. This move expands Paramount’s total landbank to 358.9 acres and lifts its remaining GDV to RM5.5 billion.

According to group CEO Jeffrey Chew, the acquisition reaffirms the company’s confidence in the long-term prospects of Penang’s high-growth corridor. Paramount will fund the purchase through a mix of internal funds and bank financing.

The project is anticipated to enhance liveability and stimulate commercial vibrancy, further cementing Paramount’s role in shaping the northern property landscape.

In the heart of Bertam’s growing industrial corridor, a new opportunity rises for forward-thinking businesses: Bertam Signature – Light Industrial Park. Strategically located just moments away from major highways, rail, and port facilities, this freehold development sets a new standard for functionality, flexibility, and future-readiness in industrial property.

Designed for Today’s Business Needs

Whether you’re scaling up a production line, establishing a regional warehouse, or setting up a corporate base with showroom visibility, Bertam Signature has you covered. Featuring single-storey semi-detached and bungalow factories, these units offer a flexible 4-in-1 concept that supports diverse uses—from corporate offices and light manufacturing to showrooms and warehousing.

Each unit is crafted with purpose:

• Ceiling height of ±35 ft for efficient vertical storage
• Expandable mezzanine floor for office or display space
• Strong floor loading capacity of ±1 tonnes/m², accommodating heavy machinery or dense storage
• Side roller shutter access (±20ft x ±16ft) for seamless loading and logistics operations
• Built-up sizes ranging from 4,263 to 4,924 sq. ft., with ample car parking

With wide rear land parcels, businesses benefit from generous outdoor space—ideal for logistics maneuvering, storage, or potential future expansion.

Location That Delivers

Connectivity is key for any thriving business. Bertam Signature places you at the nexus of key transport routes:

• ±10km to the North-South Expressway
• ±16km to Butterworth-Kulim Highway
• ±6km to KTM Station Tasek Gelugor
• ±25km to Penang Port
• ±26km to Penang Sentral & Butterworth ETS station

Whether your business depends on road, rail, or sea, this address keeps you closely linked to major supply chains and urban centres.

Future-Proof Your Business at Bertam Signature

As industries evolve and business needs diversify, Bertam Signature provides a foundation that adapts with you. Its modern façade, spacious layout, and future-ready infrastructure (including three-phase 200Amp power) ensure your operations can grow without constraints.

Position your business in a thriving industrial hotspot with the space, design, and location to support your ambitions. Bertam Signature is where flexibility meets functionality, and success finds space to grow.

Contact GSD Land at 1700-818-365 to +60 10-761 0932 learn more about unit availability.