Approximate site location

Mah Sing Group Bhd (Mah Sing) has acquired two new pieces of prime lands in Batu 2.5 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Mertajam, Penang, for a total RM307.3mil.

It said the lands in Kuala Lumpur and Penang were for a proposed integrated development and a business park respectively with a combined GDV of RM2.35bil.

In Penang, Mah Sing added a new project into its stable with the acquisition of 10.89 acres of freehold land in Bukit Mertajam located along the south-western side of Jalan Permatang Tinggi.

The total purchase consideration amounted to RM43.8mil, including the costs for conversion premium, land clearance, earthworks and development planning for the land.

According to a valuation report by PPC International Penang SdnBhd, the market value of the land is RM45.31mil.

“Mah Sing plans to develop an industrial park using its award winning iParcconcept.

“The proposed development, with an estimated GDV of about RM150mil, will offer well-conceptualised multi-functional industrial spaces comprising a mix of shop offices and light industrial factories,” it said.

The proposed development is scheduled for a preview in Q3 2017.

Mah Sing pioneered its iParc series in 1994 and subsequent iParc projects adopted the 4-in-1 business concept where both front- and back-end operational processes are catered for.

Front-end operations like showrooms or corporate offices can be housed in the same space as back-end operations like warehousing and production.

Source: Bernama

Montage, yet another high-rise development by Prisma Bumiraya Sdn. Bhd. (Pearl Ocean) at Sungai Nibong, Penang. It is strategically located of Gerbank Bukit Kecil 2, adjacent to Kristal Court Townhouse and Kristal Villa. This is just a stone’s throw away from the company’s first condominium development in Sungai Nibong – Novus.

The proposed development comprises single block of 34-storey building, offering 282 condominium units with standard unit size of 1,015 sq.ft.

Project Name : Montage
Location : Sungai Nibong, Penang
Property Type : Condominium
Total Units: 282
Built-up Area: 1,015 sq.ft.
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer :Prisma Bumiraya Sdn. Bhd. (Pearl Ocean)

Location Map:

A newly proposed mixed development by Mansion Properties Sdn. Bhd. (A subsidiary of MPSB Group) at Machang Bubuk, Bukit Mertajam. It is located near Jalan Machang Bubok 1, about 5 minutes walk to SK Machang Bubuk Li. It’s neighboring communities include Tropicale Residency, Hillpark Residence and Taman Machang Bubuk.

This development comprises 58 units of 3-storey terrace houses and 22 units of 2-storey shop offices.

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

Project Name : (to be cofirmed)
Location : Machang Bubuk, Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Mixed development
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 58 (terrace), 22 (shop office)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Mansion Properties Sdn. Bhd. (MPSB Group)

Location Map:

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