The Housing and Local Government Ministry plans to build one million units of affordable homes within the next 10 years to enable more people, especially the low income earners, to be house owners.

Its minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin said the ministry would coordinate all housing projects under Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) and would build 100,000 units of houses a year beginning this year.

“The 100,000 units will comprise affordable homes for all, especially those in the B40 group so that they, too, can each own a house.

“The location and number of houses for each state will be determined soon after we have discussed the matter with the respective state governments,” she told reporters after opening the Penang Property Expo here yesterday.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA) president Datuk Soam Heng Choon.

Zuraida said the ministry was also having discussions with several financial institutions to introduce initiatives that could make it easier for those in the B40 group to be house owners.

“Those in the low income group can afford to pay the monthly instalments. Their problem is coming up with the deposit payment, so we are discussing with the financial institutions to find a solution to this.

“The ministry is also discussing with Bank Negara and housing investors that agree to come forward to provide financing scheme,” she added.

Meanwhile, Zuraida said she did not foresee that the ministry’s plan to build 100,000 units of houses a year would add to the existing glut in unsold houses.

She said the existing unsold houses would be sold through expositions on house ownership to be held beginning this month.

“The ministry, REHDA and developers have discussed to hold the expositions on house ownership to sell the unsold houses,” she added.

Source: Bernama

The Penang government together with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) are working towards making Penang a cycling haven for cyclists.

Riding on the concept of green connectivity, the state and the local council were looking at completing the 200km-long bicycle lanes as indicated in the Penang Bicycle Master Plan.

As of now, 90% or about 180km-long bicycle lanes have been completed on the Penang island.

MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council would continue to enhance cycling facilities on the island to provide a ‘healthier mode of transportation’ for the people.

“Penang is one of the bicycle-friendly states in the country. About 180km-long bicycle lanes have been completed, out of which 40km-long bicycle lanes are dedicated bicycle lanes,” he told a press conference at Gurney Drive today.

Yew said the 2.5km-long bicycle lane from Tesco Tanjung Pinang to Flamingo Hotel By The Beach was currently being built.

“We are thinking of how to connect the bicycle lane from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi or Teluk Bahang as the road leading to Batu Ferringhi is quite narrow. The route is popular among the community of cyclists.

“Hence, the plan to have an Ecodeck structure is introduced. The Ecodeck will provide a safer passage for cyclists and pedestrians who want to travel from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi.

“According to the plan, the Ecodeck will have a width of 3.5m; where 2m is dedicated for bicycles and 1.5m for pedestrians.

“The Ecodeck can either be projected as a cantilever or on stilts,” Yew added.

Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he would be requesting some funds from the Federal Government via its minister Zuraida Kamaruddin to support the Ecodeck project.

“The northern part of the Penang island coastal road is rather narrow, so we have to build the Ecodeck which is going to cost quite a substantial sum.

“The estimated cost of the 6km Ecodeck project is around RM40 million.

“The project consists of two stretches – from Shamrock Beach to Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, and another from Shamrock Beach to Flamingo Hotel By The Beach,” Jagdeep said.

He then gave an update on the bicycle lane project from Tesco Tanjung Pinang to Gurney Wharf; which is also part of the concept of green connectivity.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Maldives Residences, yet another residential development by Ideal Property Group at Bayan Lepas. Strategically located along Jalan Sungai Tiram 6, just across the road from Havana Beach Residences. It is conveniently connected to Jalan Tun Dr Awang, less than 2km away from Penang International Airport. Other neighboring housing schemes include Tree Sparina, The Amarene, Summerskye Residences, Lucerne Residences, The Clovers, and a few others. SMJK Heng Ee Secondary School (Bayan Baru branch) is within walking distance.

This development comprises 46-storey building with 4 residential towers. It features a mix of affordable and upgraded units, with a standard built-up size of 850sq.ft. Public units are being upgraded with an additional 80sq.ft. and dual key option.

Project Name : Maldives Residences
Location : Bayan Lepas
Property Type : Residential
Tenure: Freehold
Built-up Size: 850sq.ft. (affordable), 850sq.ft.+80sq.ft. (public unit)
Total Units : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : RM498,000 onwards
Developer : Ideal Property Group

As we welcome 2019, here is a chance to make sure you are updated on the most read Penang development stories in Penang Property Talk over the past 12 months.

Penang’s major highway project approved by DOE

The Department of Environment (DOE) has approved the construction of the three-paired highways across the island. State exco for Public Infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari said the DOE has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report with 59 additional conditions attached ... Read More

IKEA Batu Kawan opening on 14 Mar 2019

With the announcement made during the first ever annual Ikano Centres Tenant Engagement Event in Kuala Lumpur, the progress of IKEA store at Batu Kawan is now ahead of schedule and will open two weeks earlier - 14 March 2019. IKEA ... Read More

Penang to transform Gurney Drive into a must-see attraction

Gurney Wharf, a world class “park-on-the-sea”, is going to be even better than initially planned. The state government is planning to transform the place into “the pride of Penangites” with seaside retail outlets, F&B aplenty, water gardens, and beach and ... Read More

The New Penang

On the night of 9 May 2018, a new Malaysia was born. Automatically, one very critical thought transpired in my mind. The property market in Penang will most likely have its reformation and almost guaranteed to have a facelift. For ... Read More

Pulau Jerejak world class development approved

Majilis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MBPP) has allowed the developer of buildings at Pulau Jerejak to demolish the buildings, paving the way for redevelopment of the island, reported The Star. The developer Tropical Island Sdn Bhd has been given planning permission with conditions – ... Read More

Penang LRT likely to proceed, might begin in Jan 2020

The approvals from the federal authorities for the RM8.4bil Bayan Lepas light rail transit (LRT) and the massive Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme on the southern coast of the island are expected to be obtained before the end of the ... Read More

Works on Ayer Itam – LCE Expressway bypass to start Q2 2019

Works on one of the three paired roads — the 5.7km Ayer Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass — are expected to startat the beginning of the second quarter next year. Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) senior executive director ... Read More

Theme park proposed for Pulau Jerejak

A developer is planning to build a theme park on the southern part of Jerejak Island, the state legislative assembly heard today. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH - Padang Kota) said the developer submitted a development master plan ... Read More

Mitsui Outlet Park @ Penang International Airport

A proposed commercial development by MFMA Development Sdn. Bhd. at Bayan Lepas. Located near Penang International Airport, next to the existing outdoor car parking area.  MFMA Development Sdn. Bhd. is a joint-venture company between Mitsui Fudosan and Malaysia Airports with shareholdings of ... Read More

Butterworth coastal reclamation to proceed

The coastal landscape in north Butterworth, between the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) and Jalan Tunku Putra, Teluk Air Tawar, is set to change with the construction of a new waterfront within the next few years. This follows a supplementary ... Read More

The priority for this year will be to transform Penang into a smart city which is in line with Penang 2030 ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State’.

State Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said several pilot projects were in the pipeline for such purpose.

He said the town and country planning agenda for Penang would also be carried out from now until 2030.

He added that the property market here was still strong despite reports of overhang units.

Jagdeep said Penang had 3,261 overhang residential units last year compared with 2,271 units in 2017, adding that the figures were relatively low compared to Johor and Selangor.

“The state government will control the ‘overhang’ problem.

“Penang is doing well in its housing segment with the rise in number for affordable housing units,” he told a press conference at Komtar on Monday.

Jagdeep also hoped that the federal government would initiate more affordable housing schemes in Penang.

Source: TheStar.com.my