The goal of bringing life to under-used back lanes in George Town, Penang, is starting with the RM950,000 makeover of the one connecting Magazine Road and Gurdwara Road.

The facelift would involve an 870sq m area and is being touted as a pioneer project to beautify back lanes in the city.

“Some people might even ask if the city council is too free. But we are opening a new paradigm for locals.

“Maybe now, we can’t see the benefits or social impact, but we hope perceptions will soon change,” said state Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow at the launch of the project makeover on Thursday.

Back lanes are a legacy of prewar town planning. They were needed for fire safety and to ensure air circulation for tightly packed shophouses.

These lanes were also for electricity poles and sewer lines.

Advances in engineering and town planning, however, left back lanes dim, unkempt and some unused.

Chow said the Magazine Road-Gurdwara Road back lane upgrade would be borne by M-Summit Global Sdn Bhd and the transformation would take around two months, starting from early next month.

He said two other areas slated for back lane upgrades were Keng Kwee Street and Hong Kong Lane.

Among the works to be carried out include upgrading the paving, lights, putting up canopies and planting trees.

Also present was mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail, who said a study had been carried out to identify suitable back lanes.

“A survey by the council was encouraging because 91.4% of respondents support back lane upgrades,” she said.

She hoped it would make back lanes into cleaner, greener and safer places for pedestrians and cyclists.

Businesswoman K.H. Lim, 55, who runs a business near Magazine Road, said the lane had been a sorry sight for as long as she could remember.

“We hope it will bring betterment. If it becomes beautiful, many people will use it,” she said.

Another businesswoman S.Y. Kuek, 60, suggested that the council look into the back lanes leading to Gama Supermarket and Departmental Store because locals frequently used those to reach the shopping centre.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Some RM20mil worth of residential properties in upper class neighbourhoods of Penang island have been left unoccupied for many years, turning them into eyesores.

The dilapidated buildings at Jalan Masjid Negeri and Lebuh Bukit Jambul have become dumpsites or breeding ground for mosquitoes.

A woman employee of a development firm next to an abandoned house in Jalan Masjid Negeri, who wished to be known only as Loo, said the place has been left idle for more than seven years.

“During the durian season, trespassers help themselves to the fruits.

“Many real estate agents had shown interest in helping to sell or rent out the place but nobody knows the owner.

“Even my boss was interested to buy the house.

“This is considered a prime area. Our rental here is RM5,500 but I believe this house would definitely fetch more as it’s a corner unit,” she said.

Estate broker Lee Hock Hin said property along Jalan Masjid Negeri and Lebuh Bukit Jambul could easily fetch between RM3mil and RM4mil.

He said it was quite difficult to find buyers for the dilapidated houses.

“It’s more for the land only,” said Lee, who has over 30 years of experience in the business.

A Penang Island City Council spokesman said the owner of the unoccupied property in Jalan Masjid Negeri has not defaulted on the yearly assessment payment.

“If the house is occupied by a tenant, we will collect the assessment from the tenant.

“If it’s not paid within 18 months, the house will be seized and auctioned off,” he said.

The assessment is between RM600 and RM1,000 depending on the size of the land, built-up area and location.

He said if the dilapidated buildings posed a danger to the public, action would be taken against the owners.

“We will seal the premises and bill the owners.

“Usually, action is taken if there’s a complaint from the public.

“Once a complaint is filed, we will take action within three days,” he said.

On the reason why some unoccupied houses could not be sold, he said it was usually due to dispute involving family members or associations.

“If the property is sold, the previous owner or the new buyers will have to pay the arrears before any change of ownership is allowed,” he said.

One of the three abandoned houses along Lebuh Bukit Jambul was auctioned off by a bank for slightly over RM3mil recently, the spokesman added.

“Although they are vacant, the owners still pay the annual assessment without fail,” he said.

The Star reported in October last year that eight heritage property in George Town, worth almost RM10mil, were stuck in a legal limbo.

A community of about 180 mah-jeh bought the property during the 1950s to 1970s but with all of them having passed away, their shares have remained under their estate or willed to heirs who may be here or in China.

This rendered the property having too many joint owners to feasibly sell them.

Read source: TheStar.com.my

Aspen Group’s iconic ‘AG’ corporate logo has been given an update alongside a new tagline to better represent the company’s core values.

The updated symbol, with white against dark teal, now adorns the group’s offices and project sites alongside the words ‘Redefine Living’.

It epitomises the culture that drives the group — from daring to be different to pushing boundaries in creating products and services that bring better living to all.

Group chief executive officer Datuk M. Murly said this during the unveiling ceremony at its Penang head office, Aspen House, in George Town.

“We see this as a redefining moment for the new logo’s open ended lines symbolise a myriad of new possibilities and a new foundation for Aspen Group.

“It reflects how we are open-minded, creative, inspiring, enthusiastic, credible, approachable and flexible in customising offerings to suit the needs of clients.

“Our vision is to challenge and change the perspective of society, and be a key force in shaping the property development industry through quality and affordability.

“By being among the first in the industry to offer these, we hope to set a benchmark for better living. It underscores our promise to Redefine Living.

“We have come a long way since our founding four and half years ago, and have much more to achieve in the long run,” he added at the event recently.

Murly later joined group chairman and executive director Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff, as well as director Lee Peng Cheong, in putting their hands on a plasma globe.

Following some light effects, the old logo in two tones of green swivelled around to be replaced by the new version as confetti and balloons filled the air.

In conjunction with the rebranding campaign, the group also introduced its limited-time only Summer Hot Sales promotion.

Click here to see a list of development by Aspen Group

Source: TheStar.com.my

Another proposed strata residential development by Iconic Landmark Sdn. Bhd. at Sungai Ara, Penang. It is located next to Taman Sungai Ara, just a stone’s throw away from Regency Height condominium.

This development will see a mix of high-rise residential and various type of landed properties:

• 39-storey condominium (2 blocks, 480 units)
• 3-storey semi-detached (20 units)
• 3-storey semi-detached (8 units, individual plot)
• 3-storey bungalow (1 unit)
• 30-storey low medium cost (269 units)

This project is still pending for approval. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be cofirmed)
Location : Sungai Ara
Property Type : Residential
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 480 (condominium), 269 (LMC), 29 (landed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Iconic Landmark Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

Evoke Residence, a residential development by UDA Land in Prai, Penang. It is part of UDA’s 21-acres mixed development – Gravitas, located along Jalan Baru, immediately opposite Mydin Hypermarket.

Only 5 minutes drive to Penang bridge, this development comprises a 34-storey condominium, featuring 300 units of condominium with a standard built-up size of 1,100 sq.ft.

Property Project : Evoke Residence
Location : Prai, Penang
Property Type : Condominium
Total Units: 300
Built-up Area: 1,100 sq.ft.
Indicative Price: RM450,000 onwards
Developer : Uda Land (North) Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map: