The glow from the ‘Golden Triangle’ is fast becoming passé; enter the new realm of the ‘Silver Stretch’ that holds a handful of well-kept places yet to be explored.

BY CAITLYN NG LI YUIN
liyuin@ocision.com
and NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI
asmui@ocision.com

The Commonwealth Hill Memorial Park provides one of the best places for recreational activities in Bukit Jalil.

HAVING to brave traffic jams is not something people would willingly do. Yet, for residents of areas such as Puchong, Old Klang Road and Bukit Jalil – infamous for long stretches of congestion – it is where they call home and for home, they would brave the challenges..

It is clear to see that those three areas are becoming new hotspots with growing interest from people from all walks of life to live and work there. When we took a drive to check out the ‘Silver Stretch’ (as we call it), we discovered that a fascinating new world lay in wait for us to unearth and explore.

Brimming over with a myriad of food and beverage options, retail outlets and recreational facilities at the ‘Silver Stretch’, it’s not hard to see why so many people are attracted to this area. Over in Puchong, when we first stepped foot in the vicinity (our self-assigned starting point was the town centre), there was a slight confusion caused by the layout of the place. Wherever we turned, there were eateries upon eateries, and we were spoiled for choice.

F&B options at the shop lots ranged from quaint cafes such as the Boardroom Cafe, Juice D’fruitz and Wings Musicafe, to restaurants such as Bibi Wok, Rather Curry House and V1 Concept Restaurant and Bar.

Even at SetiaWalk, residents and visitors would be able to take their pick from the many options available, where cuisine from across the world could be found. Hankering for dishes from Vietnam to Korea, or some Western food to satisfy your palate? No problem, SetiaWalk has them all.

Happily for us, over at Old Klang Road, we found the same scenario: plenty of food options that would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. For something heartwarming and traditional, there were plenty of delicious Chinese fare that can be found in the area, such as Ah Wang Steamed Fish Head, Big Tree Fried Pan Mee and Coco Steamboat.

Head on down to Scott Garden, a happening lifestyle retail circle that is packed with enough facets that would cater to just about anybody.

For a wonderful pastry and coffee tea break, head on down to Doiffee or even Ficelle Boulangerie and Patisserie, where we gorged on tasty morsels.

If that wasn’t enough, when we swung by Bukit Jalil, we were further treated to more scrumptious food than our bellies could hold. The usual could be found, which was a harmonious blend of hearty Asian and Western fare. Some of the notable eateries to head to would be The Owls Cafe, Tee Box Cafe and Restaurant and the perennial favourite, Murni Restaurant.

The Owls Cafe in Bukit Jalil is decorated with an eye-catching array of owls decorations.

After all that eating, what we needed was a good workout, and what better way for us ladies to do than with some shopping? In Puchong and Old Klang Road, there is no shortage of retail outlets. Finding ourselves facing the “daunting” task of choosing between IOI Mall and SetiaWalk (both located in Puchong), or Scott Garden, Pearl Point and OUG Plaza (sited in Old Klang Road), we decided that the best thing to do would be to visit all of them.

It was the perfect exercise we needed, to be checking out each and every store. With big names that are instantly recognisable, such as Brands Outlet, Adidas, Jaya Jusco, Tesco and Sen Q, it would be easy to spend an entire day immersed in this form of retail therapy. If people were to still find that inadequate, there were also the rows upon rows of shop lots that housed boutiques, grocery stores and various bric-a bracs to check out.

On the other hand, we found that Bukit Jalil did not have as many amenities. There were shop lots and small grocery stores, sufficient for the residents’ basic needs and wants. However, since its location is so close to Sri Petaling, that won’t prove to be too much of a problem for its residents since Sri Petaling is a much more happening place, acting as the optimal complement to the Bukit Jalil area.

As we hit the last mall in Old Klang Road, we could not wait to sit back and unwind at some of the peaceful parks and recreational areas within the ‘Silver Stretch’.

Searching for a peaceful ambiance  in Puchong, we ended up at the Taman Wawasan Recreational Park, which is an ideal spot for the public to enjoy a scenic view while having a picnic or jogging.

Fishing enthusiasts will be thrilled to go fishing at the Prima Lake (Tasik Prima) in Puchong as many have voted it as one of the best lakes to go fishing. Fishing can be done from either the water’s edge for the beginners or in deeper water by using a rented boat.

After being first-hand witnesses to such tranquil surroundings from the two parks in Puchong, we headed on to Old Klang Road and found a well known park in Taman Desa. The immense park was allocated ample space for a basketball court, tennis courts, a large football field, a playground and is also a favoured spot for morning taichi and yoga.

Another great attraction in Old Klang Road for the whole family’s entertainment is Desa Water Park. Visitors will get to experience fun, yet thrilling water rides and slides. One ride that no one should miss out on when visiting the water theme park is the “Thunderbolt”, the first and longest gravity-defying water coaster in Asia.

Driving out of Old Klang Road into Bukit Jalil, we discovered the Commonwealth Hill Memorial Park, a park that was built in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

The well equipped playground in Taman Desa, Old Klang Road that serves as a nucleus for people from all walks of life.

The memorial park features a special zone called Central Plaza that is situated at the highest peak for visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil. From there, we went on to visit the enormous recreational park in Bukit Jalil called the Bukit Jalil Recreation Park.

As a popular recreational park in Kuala Lumpur, the facilities at the site range from large picnic areas, a children’s playground, exercise stations, jogging and walking tracks, a reflexology park, lakes and also an international garden featuring show gardens representing 10 different countries.

Residents living in the “Silver Stretch” are pampered with numerous verdant parks to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. They are also able to relax and enjoy a sense of tranquillity without having to leave their neighbourhood, making the “Silver Stretch” an ideal locale to consider living in.

With rapid development and commercialisation, there will always be pros and cons. Small unknown towns, there are now plenty of amenities and recreational aspects that complete the “Silver Stretch”, allowing its residents to experience the best of life in one address.

Nevertheless, there are massive traffic jams to contend in addition to the noise pollution that comes from the many construction works.

Real Answers From Real People

We decided to give some people from the ‘Silver Stretch’ a chance to tell us about their living and working experience.

1 Julia Chow, Kasawari Heights, Bandar Puchong Jaya

“My family and I have been living in Puchong for about 25 years but it was only in recent years that we moved to Kasawari Heights, which is a newer development. So far, we are quite content living here, seeing how Puchong has developed by leaps and bounds. It is located in close proximity to areas such as the KL city center, Subang Jaya and Sunway. The security here is satisfactory since the Residents’ Association brought in security guards and recently implemented fences and a single entry/exit point. It’s a pleasant neighbourhood with friendly and helpful neighbours, so it’s a joy to be living here.”

2 Datuk Lee Leck Cheng, Chairman of Persatuan Penduduk Perumahan (PPP), Kasawari Heights

“We had this idea to build a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else and looks out for each other, thus encouraging a secure and peaceful atmosphere. One of the first moves was to erect high fences all around the perimeter, in addition to a guard post, creating a cul-de-sac so that the children are able to go out and play safely. We would really like to upgrade the fences to a brick wall in the near future since our housing estate is a mature green residential area.

We do have quite a lot of people who appreciate how serene our neighbourhood is, and we intend to keep it that way. It is our duty as the leaders of the Kasawari Heights’ Residents Association to serve without condition and set a good example. All we ask for in return is a united community that takes care of its neighbours.”

The Scott Garden in Old Klang Road offers a tranquil environment complete with greenery.

3 Jayapackiam a/p Rathakrishan, Taman Puchong Indah

“I moved to Puchong when I got married to my husband and decided to follow him. This was back in 1995, some 20 years ago. From here, my husband decided to open an automotive workshop, KSM Krish Auto Workshop near to our home. We repair vehicles that range from cars to one tonne lorries. This location is strategic, with ample parking space and spare parts shops located within the vicinity.

We get a lot of repeat customers especially during the festive seasons and our business grew thanks to word-of-mouth, which is why we don’t have any plans to move to another location.”

4 Eugene M. Ha, Vista Komanwel

“When I was studying at International Medical University (IMU), I found this condominium and decided to live here due to its close proximity to the campus. I find this a safe and comfortable place to come home to, due to the presence of several safety features such as close circuit television (CCTVs), gated and guarded with regular patrols and card access to the main lobby. Residents here coexist peacefully so there are no inter-racial conflicts. Public transportation is also within walking distance to the condo. I hope that the management office would be open on weekends as well though, since some of us work till late on weekdays or else we will not be able to voice our concerns or issues we face.”

5 Abdullah Mat Isa, Chairman of Persatuan Penduduk Rumah Pangsa Blok 7&8, Kampung Lindungan

“After living in Lindungan (Block 7 and 8) for about 23 years now, I can say that this is one of the best neighbourhoods that I have ever lived in. For the past 18 years, I was chosen as the community leader for the two blocks at Lindungan. As a responsible community leader, I am obliged to not only solve the problems that arise within our community, but to also bridge the gap between the different races that are living here.

We organise several annual events for the community to get together and enjoy each other’s presence. The events include community activities, where we will go around and clean the surroundings of Block 7 and 8, hold sports carnivals, festive celebrations, and religious ceremonies.”

6 QQ Khor, Jalan Klang Lama

“I have been living in Old Klang Road ever since the day I was born. The neighbourhood that I live in is peaceful most of the time, and I am very satisfied with the security features made available to the residents. There are police units patrolling the area and each house is fenced up. Being here for almost 25 years, I can say that it has one of the best connectivity to different highways for easy access to many prominent townships. Shopping and leisure are within convenient distance as many stores can be found in and surrounding Old Klang Road.”

7 Anand Nganasekaran, Lindungan

“My parents moved to Lindungan in 1983, and we have been living here ever since. Residents in my block are a tight-knit community where we look out for each other and enjoy living here, but I do have plans to upgrade to a bigger abode in a new area. The environment today is somewhat different as compared to the 80s. Although it is great to see many developments coming to this area, I really hope that some greenery is preserved. Nevertheless, I can’t deny that Old Klang Road is an important centre for excellent amenities.”

8 Jeswin Kaur Bhatt (in blue) and Hassaira a/p Kailasam, Taman Desa

“We have been living with our parents in Taman Desa for more than 10 years now, and we go to the same school at SMK Taman Desa. The security at this residential area is great because we have a guarded entrance, as well as a police station nearby. We usually just hang out at the park where there are tennis courts, a playground, a basketball court and a big field. Although the park is very convenient for the residents here, we would really like to see it cleaned on a regular basis, and also will be thrilled if more sports equipments are provided.”

The post Lifestyle gems in South Klang Valley appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

A perfect tranquil awaits in Puchong, away from the hustle and bustle of hectic city life.

BY NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI
asmui@ocision.com

An artist’s impression of the development of Lake Side City, a picturesque township located next to the largest lake in Puchong.

AURORA Residence is the first residential tower within the development of Lake Side City, a self-sustaining lakeside waterfront mixed-development township in the heart of Puchong.

Developed by Permodalan Masteron Sdn Bhd, a member of the Masteron Group of Companies, the first phase of Aurora Residence is slated for completion in 2017.

The group aims to provide idyllic living with its gated integrated development alongside a well-known lake in the vicinity of Puchong, which is the breathtaking Prima Lake (Tasik Prima). Residents will wake up to a peaceful scenic lake and enjoy being surrounded by captivating nature.

“The green environment and the renowned blue lake offer a tranquil zone for city dwellers who appreciate the beauty of nature amidst their residential area,” says Masteron sales and marketing group manager Liew Li Ping.

Overall, Aurora Residence has four blocks of luxury condominiums that offer the same layout of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but with different built-up areas ranging between 1,141 sq ft and 1,238 sq ft.

The second phase of the condominium will see a special addition. Units that sit on Level Five, which are on the same level of the facilities, will have the rare privilege to enjoy a villa-like feature, as each one comes with its own private terrace garden measuring from 320 sq ft to 950 sq ft overlooking the lush greenery and the pools.

“Every inch of Aurora Residence is perfectly designed with substantial settings and modern approaches. Standing high on Lake Side City, Aurora Residence will offer a different atmosphere for its residents. Proud homeowners will be able to witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets without having to leave their comfortable abodes,” says Ping.

A scenic view from the infinity pool at Aurora Residence.

The design scheme of Aurora Residence places great emphasis on the relationship of the surrounding natural landscape of the lake while bringing greenery and recreational features into the heart of the development.

Landscaped garden in the sky Residents at Aurora Residence can enjoy a lush tropical landscape experience with distinct facilities available at the high-rise residence. Residents are able to lead a healthy yet contented lifestyle with an immense 3.9 acres of an open garden facility podium, 1 km span of jogging track as well as several hanging gardens located at various higher levels.

The podium facilities at Level Five comprise an integrated green area with an infinity pool surrounded by seamless green landscape and also recreational sports arenas such as a gymnasium, tennis courts and squash courts, just to name a few.

This ensures optimum harmony, comfort and perfect balance between human and nature for conducive modern day living.

The 1km stretch jogging track at Aurora Residence.

The connectivity surrounding Aurora Residence is brilliant as there are existing highways such as Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Konsortium Expressway Shah Alam Selangor (Kesas), Ekspresway Lingkaran Tengah (Elite) and South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), which are accessible within minutes.

Furthermore, there is an ongoing construction of the light rail transit (LRT) system extension connecting Puchong to Kelana Jaya and Sri Petaling, to be completed and fully operational concurrent with Aurora’s Phase 1 completion.

In collaboration with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, the group is working with various authorities to obtain approval for the proposed covered pedestrian walk-way from Lake Side City to Station 11 Puchong Prima. The infrastructure is definitely a privilege to future Aurora’s residents.

Integrated waterfront township

Living up to its name, Lake Side City is a fully integrated waterfront township sprawled across 155 acres by the scenic Prima Lake. It is a mixed development that sets a new standard of living and is projected to be a self-sustaining waterfront township that will appeal to those who are looking for a sensuous city life in the midst of nature.

In order to ensure a balanced development within Lake Side City, the group conceptualised the waterfront city according to this principle called “SPACE”, which stands for Sustainability, Parks, Attraction, Commercial and Education.

As a part of the new living concept, Lake Side City will be an all-in-one township that offers a sustainable living supported by convenient infrastructures as well as numerous amenities that are all within reach.

An artist’s impression of a fully-equipped gymnasium at the podium facilities of Aurora Residence.

Besides offering an idyllic lifestyle that blends well with nature, this self-sustaining development provides convenience alongside a myriad of surrounding amenities, thanks to the rapid development that is currently happening in Puchong.

The group is looking to enhance the development of Lake Side City with more serviced apartments, high-end condominiums, landed properties, a commercial precinct, shopping outlets, retail shops and F&B al fresco dining fronting the lake. There will also be public amenities such as a school and centralised green lung complete with sports and recreational facilities for the young residents.

Living in Aurora Residence will be the perfect opportunity for any homebuyers who are looking to be part of a vibrant hub enveloped by tranquil ambiance and natural landscapes.

The post Enchanted waterfront living appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY YEE XIANG YUN

Proposal: Ismail (right) submitting a nomination for Irda at the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards ceremony yesterday to the award’s committee chairman V. Thanam while Irda social development head Nor Hisham Hussein looks on.

JOHOR BARU: UEM Sunrise Bhd’s move to abort the earlier proposed RM1.4mil China Mall project in Nusajaya should not be seen as a sign that Iskandar Malaysia is troubled, said Iskandar Regional Development Authority’s (Irda) chief executive officer.

Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said it was not unusual for companies or developers to abort a development if it was deemed unprofitable to the company or its stakeholders.

He stressed that the developer’s decision to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinamall Holdings Pte Ltd (CHPL) to cooperate in developing the mall should not be used as a yardstick to gauge Iskandar’s growth.

He said it was normal for developers and companies to be sensitive to the surroundings of a proposed development and the suitability of implementing a project in a certain area.

“Surely they would have reassessed the project and its impact on its stakeholders and profits before coming to the decision to pull out or postpone a certain development.

“These things happen from time to time,” he told pressmen when met after kicking off the nominations for the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards at the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Following that, Ismail said people should not jump to conclusions or doubt Iskandar’s growth potential.

He added that the developer had informed Irda about the termination though no official statement was released yet.

“It is also possible that they are in the midst of evaluating whether to replace the aborted investment with another development and it is in our capacity to give them the space and opportunity to make such decisions,” he added.

It was reported that UEM Sunrise, the master developer of Nusajaya, told Bursa Malaysia on Thursday that its unit UEM Land had decided to terminate the MoU because both parties were unable to make any significant headway for the project.

The proposed mall worth over RM600mil, part of the huge Asian Trade Centre development in Iskandar, would have housed more than 3,000 merchants, offering products ranging from textile to household appliances.

The post Irda: Not unusual for firms to abort project appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY TEE LIN SAY

Business-savvy: Brahmal (left) has created a name as an investor with the ‘golden touch’ while Sai Men was a cornerstone investor in some of the major initial public offerings last year.

PETALING JAYA: Savvy investors Chua Sai Men and Brahmal Vasudevan have emerged as shareholders of property company Mulpha Land Bhd, according to the company’s just-released 2014 annual report.

Sai Men, who is the eldest son of veteran investor Tan Sri Chua Ma Yu, owns 3.41 million shares or 1.49% stake in Mulpha Land, while Brahmal owns 1.35 million shares or 0.59% stake in the company.

Sai Men was a cornerstone investor in some of the major initial public offerings last year. He also makes investments in selected companies such as Cypark Resources Bhd and a few oil and gas companies.

Brahmal, who is private-equity firm Creador’s founder and chief executive officer, has created a name for himself as an investor with the “golden touch”. He is seen as savvy and being able to offer value to the company.

While Creador the fund has taken stakes in Masterskill Education Group Bhd, Oldtown Bhd and Bonia Corp Bhd, Brahmal has personally taken up stakes in SRMT Holdings Bhd, Scicom (MSC) Bhd, MyEG Services Bhd and GHL Systems Bhd.

Mulpha Land, which has been undergoing a transformation of sorts, has seen its share price rise 134% on a year-to-date basis to 92.5 sen, following a restructuring exercise and a takeover offer that did not happen.

Since Mulpha Land announced plans to raise RM18.7mil through a private placement exercise on May 13, investor interest has propelled the shares up further. It is up 12.5 sen or 15.6% over the last 12 trading days.

On May 13, the property developer told Bursa Malaysia that it would undertake a private placement exercise of up to 10% of its issued share capital to finance a land acquisition, repay borrowings and as working capital.

The acquisition would be under its joint-venture entity, Mayfair Ventures Sdn Bhd. It said that based on the indicative issue price of 82 sen per placement share, the proposed exercise is expected to raise gross proceeds of up to RM18.7mil.

For the first quarter to March 31, Mulpha Land’s net loss widened to RM3.1mil from RM2.26mil previously. This was mainly due to the recognition of advertising and promotional expenses incurred for its Tropicana project.

Revenue dropped 74.27% to RM1.37mil on the back of lower sales recognised for its development project in Nibong Tebal, Penang.

Mulpha Land is now controlled by a new group of shareholders, who collectively own 50.38% of the company.

These individuals include Ghazie Yeoh Abdullah, who was appointed as Mulpha Land’s group managing director in 2013.

The other new shareholders are director Datuk Low Keng Siong and Datuk Fakhri Yassin Mahiaddin. Low and Ghazie are shareholders of Pasukan Sehati Sdn Bhd, which, in turn, owns 8.6% of Mulpha Land.

Fakhri, the son of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, is the ultimate controlling shareholder of Teladan Kuasa Sdn Bhd. In March Teladan Kuasa had launched a takeover offer for all the remaining shares in Mulpha Land that it did not already own for a cash consideration of 49.7 sen per share.

The GO was triggered after Mulpha International Bhd had entered into a call option agreement with Teladan Kuasa to acquire 75 million shares that represented up to a 32.85% stake in Mulpha Land.

Mulpha Land currently has projects in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kedah, with an estimated gross development value of RM1.2bil. These projects will keep it busy until 2018.

In the Klang Valley, projects under its belt include the redevelopment of two acres at the old Mulpha headquarters at Section 13, Petaling Jaya; 6 Kenny Hills; Enclave Bangsar and Tropicana. Other projects in its portfolio are Taman Bukit Punchor, Bukit Punchor Industrial Park and Taman Seri Bayu in Penang, coupled with the mixed-development township Taman Desa Aman near the Kulim High Tech Park in Kedah.

The post Interesting personalities appear in Mulpha Land appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY STUART MICHAEL

Only 65% of the Selayang Springs condominium is complete. The project was launched in 2009 and buyers were promised their keys in 2012.

ABOUT 150 buyers of the Selayang Springs Condominium project made a report at the Gombak police headquarters against the developer for failing to complete the project in time.

Selayang Springs Damar Selangor Condominium Owners Association president Christopher Rozario, 54, who led the group, said the project was launched in 2009 and buyers were promised their keys in 2012 but the developer failed to deliver and the project had stalled at about 65% complete.

He said units in the two blocks of apartments –- Damar and Cedar -– had been priced from RM210,000 to RM500,000 and ranged in size from 86.39sq m to 124.49sq m.

There are 276 units in Damar and more than 200 units in Cedar.

The project sits on about 4ha of land and would have included a gymnasium, swimming pool and other facilities.

“We complained to Selangor Housing, Building and Urban Settlers Committee chairman Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad three weeks ago and the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry four months ago. We also complained to Bank Negara on April 23 but nothing seems to have been done.

“We are in a dilemma. We have run out of ideas and have sought help from local leaders here,” the frustrated Rozario said after collecting a copy of his six-page police report.

He said some buyers were still servicing bank loans, paying between RM900 and RM2,000 monthly, and still had no idea when the condominium would be ready.

Rozario and the other buyers have now raised the issue with Selayang MCA secretary Ryan Ng and Selayang MCA Youth chief Chan Wun Hoong, who said they would do their best to help.

Chan said the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) should intervene as the abandoned project was affecting the housebuyers.

“I will bring this matter to Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry to see how it can be solved, and will arrange a meeting soon,” he said.

Ng said he was looking at alternative ways to ensure the project was revived as soon as possible.

He said some buyers had purchased the property with the dream of retiring here in a condo-living environment but now had to fork out money to the bank monthly without having anything to show for it.

“Our main concern is for this project to be completed or have another developer take over, depending on the ministry’s decision,” he said.

The post More than 100 housebuyers make police report against developer appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Having a balanced and wholesome lifestyle amidst Mother Nature’s embrace and cleverly designed outdoor architecture is what IJM Land Bhd has set out to achieve.

BY MANGALESRI CHANDRASEKARAN
mangalesri@ocision.com

The enchanted view of the spice and flower garden as well as The ARC.

IJM Land Bhd’s premier iconic township development, Bandar Rimbayu, is a fine example of balanced living within a green neighbourhood. Sprawled across 760ha, this township grants harmonious living within a placid setting, complemented by water features and natural greenery.

Being Malaysia’s largest green development with a spectacular landscape, Bandar Rimbayu won the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) 2014 for excellence in Landscape Design – the most prestigious award under the professional category given by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM).

“On par with IJM Land’s eco-friendly ethos, more emphasis was given on the natural resources with the implementation of green features such as energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting and adaptation of recycling, providing a healthier environment for the residents,” says Bandar Rimbayu Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Shuy Eng Leong.

(From left) Dingal, Shuy and Tang, posing in front of The ARC, the icon of Bandar Rimbayu.

He adds that the elegant landscape further complements the township, bringing IJM Land’s green vision to life.

Adding to the uniqueness is The ARC, a facilities podium blessed with abundant space, designed to host communal and recreational happenings, and even carnivals. Being the centre of gravity for all the developments under Bandar Rimbayu, The ARC boasts a green canopy with a 360 degree panoramic view of the fully integrated township.

Included in the awe-inspiring landscape are a myriad of facilities consisting of a tranquil creek with a timber deck overlooking the breathtaking spice and flower garden; wondrous creepers dangling from the green canopy giving the illusion of a hanging garden; open terraces further enhanced by water features; wooden pedestrian bridge with seatings to cherish the serene environment; a vast football field coupled with an upscale playground and green wall system.

Besides being the perfect place to be at during the day time, The ARC is also quite impressive at night as the place is surrounded by ample lights, providing an alluring atmosphere which will create a lasting impression on the visitors.

Serene night view of the pedestrian bridge leading to the spice and flower garden.

“Not only is The ARC unique on its own, it’s a pioneer design in Malaysia,” says Pentago Landscape Sdn Bhd associate director Alan Dingal, when speaking of its distinguished feature being the only kind in our country.

Situated merely minutes away from the Shah Alam City Centre, the landscape of Bandar Rimbayu, without a doubt, will awaken all our senses, giving a relaxed-cum-stress-free environment for the residents. The overall features of the landscape and The ARC are taken into proper consideration to provide a holistic environment, he further states.

Garis Architects director Tang Hsiao Seak says that the reason for Bandar Rimbayu’s success is primarily due to the uniqueness that this township offers, in terms of the designs and technologies it incorporates. The landscape is carefully designed to maximise the potential as well as offer special advantages, and would be extended later on for added conveniences, he adds.

Secured timber bridge over the creek leading to the viewing tower.

Being the heart of Bandar Rimbayu, The ARC will connect the commercial and residential belts in the future.

Bandar Rimbayu’s captivating award-winning landscape, specifically The ARC, incorporated the concept of “Embracing life within nature” and will always remain as the icon of IJM Land for its exceptional architecture and landscape designs for the green township. As a pioneer in the property industry, the developer strives to provide a positive impact in all its developments, providing spectacular landscapes that give a lasting impression.

Spectacular setting as seen from the green canopy.

Bringing a green vision to life

Bandar Rimbayu, the holistic green township, is co-joined with the mature vicinity of Kota Kemuning, providing excellent connectivity and amenities right at the doorstep. Abundant space are allocated for greenery alone as IJM Land’s main motive is to provide quality homes close to nature. Main emphasis is given to the going green initiatives and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) which are incorporated into Bandar Rimbayu. Most homes are pre-installed with a solar panel heater system, rainwater harvesting system and skylights to reduce the consumption of water and electricity, so as to create awareness for the future generation to appreciate nature.

This eco-friendly neighbourhood by IJM Land will be developed as a fully integrated township in the upcoming years, with outstanding connectivity, coupled with schools, hospitals, mall and retails within.

The welcoming entrance of The ARC @ Bandar Rimbayu.

Bandar Rimbayu will be connected to five major highways in the next five years, linking to the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), Shah Alam – Kota Kemuning Expressway (LKSA), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), proposed West Coast Expressway (WCE) as well as the North - South Expressway Central Link (Elite) which connects to Federal Highway and the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).

Located in the high-end vicinity of Shah Alam, Bandar Rimbayu is expected to be the next most anticipated development due to the exceptional reputation of IJM Land, as well as the well-organised masterplan that this comprehensive township offers.

The post Breathing life into ordinary spaces appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Boutique developer, Trinity Group, achieved a successful launch for its Trinity Aquata development. This success is attributed to its strategic location in KL South, a township with great accessibility.

Trinity Group senior general manager Chung Oon Sien and general manager Gary Lum Zhi Li (right).

TRINITY Aquata @ KL South achieved a 60% take-up rate for its first block, Block A, in a three-day nationwide launch programme. Due to the encouraging response for Block A, Block B will open for registration soon.

Location played a key role in driving Trinity Aquata’s appeal.

“Trinity Aquata is situated in Sg. Besi also known as KL South, a township with great accessibility. Not only is the property accessible via the Besraya Highway, KL-Seremban Highway, Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and KL-Putrajaya Highway-Maju Expressway (MEX), it is also in close proximity to the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) and much-anticipated High Speed Rail (HSR) connecting KL to Singapore, which is expected to commence construction in the third quarter of 2016,” said Trinity Group general manager Gary Lum.

“In fact, based on the proposed MRT Line 2 (Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line or SSP Line), Trinity Aquata is a mere 500 metres away from the Taman Naga Emas station (S 24). We believe that these factors provide added value to our property and will help appreciate its value to 50% capital appreciation in the not too distant future,” he enthused.

The ‘next golden triangle’
Ho Chin Soon Research chief executive officer Ishmael Ho was also present at the launch, and he opined that Sg. Besi is highly regarded for property development given the government’s plans to rejuvenate the district though its Bandar Malaysia plans, along with its existing status as a transportation hub similar to KL Sentral. Its close proximity to other established and growing townships such as Puchong and Bukit Jalil also adds value to its potential to become the ‘next golden triangle’.

He shared, “Accessibility, connectivity and infrastructure are three key things to look out for when planning to develop a property or to purchase a property. When we talk about property hot spots, we always refer to where the future infrastructure projects are,” said Ho.

Water-inspired Trinity Aquata
Trinity Aquata embodies the effervescent qualities of water and encapsulates the neo-metropolitan lifestyle much sought after by the Gen Y buyers.

With an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM300 million, the project includes two 26-storey condominium blocks with 492 units each. All units range in size from 1,152 sq. ft. to 1,420 sq. ft., featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with fully customisable interiors.

Designed to invoke resort-like living, Trinity Aquata boasts several lifestyle-oriented facilities including a gymnasium, jogging path, landscaped Sky Bridge that links to two Sky Gardens, Sky Terrace, and multi-purpose hall. There are also 16 unique water features such as a Vivarium, raised infinity pool, water lounge, aqua-reflexo, bubbling trail, hammock lounge, pool deck, sky bath, riverbank seating and a rain pavilion, among others.

Trinity Aquata also provides a four-tier security system that includes 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance at the carpark and common areas, smart card access system to the lifts, intercom system and panic buttons at the master bedrooms and common areas of the condominium.

Prices start at RM600 per sq ft, and Trinity Aquata is scheduled for completion in 2018.

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Propwall.my launches its new marketplace platform, propwall.mart, to bring more value to its customers – the real estate agents and negotiators.

BY MANGALESRI CHANDRASEKARAN
mangalesri@ocision.com

The launching of propwall.mart (From L to R): I-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim, I Berhad director Monica Ong, Star Media Group property business unit general manager Timothy Hor and B.I.G. Industries Bhd chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Lau.

GAINING strong traction and acceptance in the real estate industry, propwall.my is fast becoming the preferred platform for Real Estate Agents (REAs), Real Estate Negotiators (RENs) and property developers to market their properties. To show the company’s gratitude, propwall.my organised The Propwall Agent Appreciation Night on April 30 at i-City Shah Alam, where propwall.mart or better known as the Propwall MarketPlace, was launched.

As a means to bringing agents and property developers together, propwall.mart is designed to provide real estate agents and negotiators access to an array of properties directly from the participating developers. This helps all the real estate agents and negotiators to market and grow their real estate business by having more properties to market and sell to their contacts.

“Our purpose is to serve our customers and ensure that we continuously add value to their business,” says propwall.my general manager Ernest Towle. “And, we can do this by leveraging on technology by creating a seamless digital platform for both agents, negotiators and property developers to work together.”

The entrance to i Residence’s quality homes that also have good panoramic views.

He added that propwall.my will assist the participating agents and negotiators by providing marketing materials, coupled with training concerning the targeted developments placed into the marketplace. The sales commission from successful sales will be channelled to the negotiators via their respective agencies.

The venue of the propwall.my agent appreciation night event was held at the recently completed i-Residence, Shah Alam, courtesy of i-City Properties Sdn Bhd. It was also attended by I-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong and B.I.G. Industries Bhd chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Lau Ban Tin. To kick start the marketplace, i-City is also putting into the marketplace 100 i-SOHO units for the real estate agents and negotiators to market and sell to first-time house buyers.

Lau says that the members of propwall.mart will have an exclusive advantage of having access to the market to sell the project in i-City. A buyer and owner himself of the i-Residence, Lau adds that i-City is a unique integrated development that many people miss.

Happy looking guests with their goodie bags.

“Not only the entire development is located on a freehold land, the biggest mall from Thailand Central Pattana and the world-class hotel chains such as Best Western and Hilton Double Tree will also be a part of this ultrapolis,” he adds.

i-City is poised to be the pulse of Shah Alam with a ramp access already completed from the Federal Highway and the light train transit (LRT) line 3 stop right in front of its doorstep too.

For more information on Propwall MarketPlace, please call 03-7492 2222 or email support@propwall.com

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Legal case: The sC has brought WCT deputy MD, one of the founders and another individual to court.

PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission (SC) has filed a suit against WCT Holdings Bhd’s deputy managing director (MD) Goh Ching Liong for alleged insider trading of the company’s shares in 2009.

Also charged with the similar offence are one of the company’s founders, Chan Soon Huat, and one Leong Ah Chai.

The SC is claiming a civil penalty of RM1mil from each of the defendants. It is also seeking to bar the defendants from being directors of a public listed company.

According to a statement by the SC, the three individuals were charged in the KL High Court recently. The suits against Goh and Leong was filed on May 26.

The action against Chan was filed on May 27 for breach of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

The SC alleged that the non-public information referred to the cancellation of a contract for the proposed construction of the “Nad Al Sheba Dubai Racecourse” in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The contract was then awarded to a joint-venture company set up by WCT and one Arabtec Construction L.L.C.

“The announcement relating to the material information was only made on Jan 6, 2009,” the statement said.

“Chan was in (breach) as he disposed 2.41 million shares and 1.24 million warrants in WCT between Dec 30, 2008 and Jan 5, 2009 while in possession of material non-public information,” the statement added.

The statement said that Chan was believed to have disposed of the WCT shares and warrants through his own account and also the account of his daughter and his son-in-law.

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BY DAVID TAN

Factory in the forest: an artist’s impression of Paramit’s proposed facility in Bukit Minyak. (Inset: Paramit Corporation Global CEO Billoo Rataul delivering his speech during the factory groundbreaking ceremony in Butterworth, Penang. – THE STAR/Asri Abdul Ghani June 01, 2015)

GEORGE TOWN: Paramit Corp, a US-based medical device manufacturer, is investing RM60mil for a new facility in Penang Science Park, Bukit Minyak.

Paramit Malaysia country manager Thomas La Rose said the new facility would serve as the its main manufacturing facility in Asia.

“Scheduled for completion in June 2016, this second facility of Paramit in Malaysia will position us for rapid growth and expansion to become one of the leading medical device and instrument manufacturer in the region,” he said at the ground breaking ceremony for the company’s new facility in Penang Science Park, Bukit Minyak.

La Rose said that the company decided to set up a new facility in Penang because its customers had indicated that they wanted to expand their medical device operations in Asia-Pacific.

In Malaysia, Paramit has been in operation from its manufacturing facility in the second phase of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone since 1988, producing electronic and electrical components, including medical device and instruments, for some of the largest and market leaders in the respective industries worldwide.

Outside Malaysia, Paramit has facilities in Morgan Hill, California.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who officiated the event, said Paramit would grow its workforce in Penang to 800 from 500 now.

“This new facility is for developing some of the world’s most innovative products both in the medical device field and in other markets as well,” he added.

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PETALING JAYA: Property developer Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd has opened another round of pre-qualification to develop its 2,330-acre iconic Kwasa Damansara township.

The call seeks to pre-qualify three categories of developers for the township, which has a gross development value (GDV) of RM50bil, over the next 15 to 20 years.

This second invitation for pre-qualification is open to Tier-1 to Tier-3 companies.

Tier-1 companies have a paid-up capital of RM1bil and above, while Tier-2 companies have a paid-up capital of RM200mil and above.

Tier-3, meanwhile, are bumiputra companies with a paid-up capital of RM1mil and above.

Applicants should have an average three-year pre-tax profit of above RM100mil for Tier 1, RM50mil for Tier 2 and RM5mil for Tier 3.

They should also have generated from at least two development projects a GDV of RM1bil for Tier 1, RM250mil for Tier 2 and RM50mil for Tier 3.

This call comes after the first initial round held in September 2012.

The pre-qualification forms can be obtained from www.kwasaland.com.my. Closing date for all submissions is June 23, 2015.

Kwasa Damasara is a mixed development which will serve a target population of 150,000.

The upcoming township is surrounded by a matured Damansara suburb, served by four traversing highways, and in the future, two Mass Rapid Transit stations.

Following the inaugural pre-qualification, Kwasa Land has thus far called for four request for proposals (RFPs) from the pre-qualified.

The RFPs were for the main town centre development MX-1, the first residential development R2-1, the first bumiputra development R3-2 and recently, residential developments R3-3 and R3-4 also for the bumiputra category.

The post More pre-qualification calls for Kwasa Damansara appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY BAVANI M.

Hard at work: Workers were seen dismantling the roofing of 100 Quarters in Brickfields.

AT 9AM yesterday, the roar of an excavator could be heard in the vicinity of the century-old 100 Quarters in Jalan Rozario, Brickfields, as contractors began demolition work on the historic buildings.

The contractors have been asked to exercise care when dismantling 100 Quarters in an effort to preserve some of the construction materials.

Brickfields Community Society (BCS) — a coalition of 40 NGOs including residents’ associations, schools and places of worship — asked Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) to retain the old wooden doors and floorboards that were part of the original structure.

BCS chairman G. Gunasegaran said the materials could then be re-used to build a community heritage centre in the township later.

“We have asked MRCB to preserve Unit 1 and 3 of 100 Quarters for historical purposes, and we are also hopeful of using the materials later,” he said.

Gunasegaran, who was present when contractors began demolition works at the site yesterday, said he was grateful the developer had been very communicative with the community about the project.

An MRCB spokesman at the site said the company had been given 60 days to clear the structures.

He added that MRCB was using the latest technology in demolition in an effort to reduce the noise, smell and dust usually caused by conventional demolition methods.

Earlier in the year, the 100 Quarters had been ravaged by vandals and scrap metal dealers, turning the place into an eyesore.

Last week, MRCB executive vice-president Datuk Dell Akbar Khan said the land owner, the Property Management Division (BPH) under the Prime Minister’s Department, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had given the go-ahead for the demolition.

“We have to demolish it for safety reasons,” he said at a briefing in the MRCB headquarters in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Brickfields.

He added that the land, known as Lot 349, had not been handed over to MRCB yet.

The 100 Quarters were built in 1915 and comprised three rows of houses along Jalan Chan Ah Tong, Lorong Chan Ah Tong and Jalan Rozario.

They were once the homes of Malayan Railways or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd employees.

The 1.4ha plot of land 100 Quarters sits on will be given to MRCB in exchange for developing Little India and the Pines bazaar as part of the Government’s 2010 privatisation plan.

While MRCB officials were not willing to confirm development plans for the 100 Quarters land, they disclosed that they were mulling over building three 40-storey towers of residential units.

According to sources, there are plans to build 1,350 serviced apartments at the site.

The post 100 Quarters comes down appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY SHEILA SRI PRIYA

Nearby residents claim that the bungalow houses 30 people.

RESIDENTS of an affluent neighbourhood in Damansara Jaya claim that a bungalow in the neighbourhood has been converted to a hostel with more than 17 rooms, housing at least 30 occupants.

They said the bungalow, located in SS22A/4, had been used as a hostel for more than a year and they want the authorities to intervene.

The tenants were mostly students and labourers and due to the large numbers, rubbish was not properly disposed.

They also said there was constant noise up to the wee hours of the morning and motorcycles and bicycles were parked indiscriminately outside the premises.

Resident Abdul Manaf Shariff, who has been living in the neighbourhood for 38 years, said his biggest concern was fire.

“These occupants cook in many corners of the house and I fear a fire will break out,” said Abdul Manaf, who lives close to the bungalow.

He was also concerned for the safety of the female occupants in the house.

“There are different people going in and out of the house all the time and there are males and females.

The bungalow even has an out-house located in back of the premises.

“What if something happens to the girls? No one will know.

“The tenants should also think of their own safety,” he said.

Petaling Jaya councillor Wong Yuet Leng and several officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council visited the bungalow to check on the public complaint.

The gate to the premises was unlocked and the place looked tidy and the grass was cut.

But residents claimed that the place had been thoroughly cleaned just the day before the inspection and it would have been a mess otherwise.

Resident Andrew Lim said the bungalow had initially operated as an old folks home but ceased operations when the local authority intervened.

This was followed by the place being rented to multiple tenants.

“We have been stressed since then and it has become a nuisance to us.

“We have even seen fights among the tenants outside the house,” said Lim.

Rukun Tetangga SS22A Damansara Jaya had lodged an official report on the matter with the council in October last year.

Wong said she would revisit the case with the council authorities due to the numerous public complaints.

A council building control department spokesman said the council had issued notice to the owner related to the illegal extensions made inside the bungalow.

However, since the matter had not been addressed by the owner, the council would take legal action, the spokesman said.

The post SS22A/4 residents see red over bungalow turned hostel appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

PETALING Jaya and Subang Jaya residents can now pay their quit rent in the 3C Complex in Bandar Sunway.

Petaling land office assistant district officer for revenue Mohd Nurunnajmi Amat Janji said residents from the two areas now do not have to travel to Shah Alam to pay their quit rent bills.

“The counter will only offer three main services — quit rent collection and for property owners to check on their bills and to update us with name or address changes,” he said, adding that many were not aware of the counter at 3C Complex.

The Petaling district covers the urban centres of Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam and is estimated to have about 300,000 property owners.

Nurunnajmi said they were only serving a maximum of 30 customers a day now.

“We have the capacity to serve up to 1,000 customers a day,” he said.

In addition to being closer, the 3C Complex also has ample free parking. Visitors are encouraged to enter via Gate 3, the nearest point of access from SS13 Subang Jaya.

Kelana Jaya MCA chairman Yap Yun Fatt lauded this as a timely move.

“Property owners living as far as Serdang will find it easier to come to the 3C Complex counter instead of travelling to Shah Alam.

“It will be good to have similar counters in Puchong and Serdang,” said Yap.

“This is exactly what the taxpayers want,” said Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, adding that requests for the land office to set up such a branch had been brought up by assemblymen for the past three years.

The counter is open from Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 3.30 pm. On Fridays, the counter is closed from 11.45am to 2.45pm for Friday prayers.

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BY BAVANI M.

Most of the 23 family member slept at the living room due to limited space.

EXCLUSIVE: KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has launched a crackdown on rent defaulters and people who sublet their government housing units to third parties.

The operation is being carried out to weed out hundreds of tenants suspected of renting out their units to non-deserving individuals.

A team of about 40 officers dubbed “Skuad Jejak Kasih DBKL” from the Housing and Community Development Department will be visiting occupants at People’s Housing Schemes (PPR) to investigate tenancy cheats and carry out audits to check that the people living in the premises are those in the local authority’s registry and eligible.

Department director Wan Mohammad Ghazali Nor said the team would be visiting some 60,000 residential units at different times of the day over a period of two weeks.

He said a crucial aspect of the exercise was to update the database of tenants.

The audit by DBKL will collect information such as change in number of children, job status and current income level.

“This census is aimed at updating the status of the tenants. They should tell us of any changes in their household such as the number of children or a change in job status and current income level,” he explained.

He said a similar exercise was carried out last year but instead of going door to door, tenants were advised to update their status online but less than 20% responded.

“So this time our officers will visit the homes and distribute a simple questionnaire which tenants have to fill up. We will then follow up with two more visits.

“When the tenants first move into the units, they are usually squatters or poor families struggling to make ends meet and are in need of cheap housing. But as the years go by, some get better jobs with better pay and are no longer eligible for this affordable housing,” he added.

According to Wan Ghazali, a similar crackdown previously involving 30,000 units found that 50% of the tenants were not at home.

“So this time our officers will go at different times of the day. Tenants who are not at home after the third visit will have to come to our offices personally and explain their absence,” he said.

He said those found to have sublet their units would be blacklisted.

Wan Ghazali knocking the door of a PPR unit. With him are the “Skuad Jejak Kasih” officers. Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS

When asked if there were many such cases, Wan Ghazali said: “I cannot tell you how many do this; there are cases, but this time we are going to catch these cheats,” he said.

A research carried out by Malaysian Citizen Complaints Centre (PAR), an NGO that helps poverty-stricken families get housing, had reported cases of tenants who earn up to RM5,000 a year by moving out of their PPR unit and renting it out at a higher rate, usually to poverty- stricken families.

In some cases, according to PAR chairman Datuk A. Chandrakumanan, the units are rented out to foreign workers.

“There was a case in Bandar Tun Razak where a poor family had their water locked by DBKL for not paying their rent. When we investigated, we found out that the original tenant did not pay the monthly RM124 rent to City Hall, despite collecting RM350 from the poor family each month,” he said, adding that the closer the housing scheme was to the city, the higher the rent demanded by the original tenants.

StarMetro had previously reported that DBKL was facing a major housing crisis which resulted in a long waiting list for government housing.

“DBKL’s crackdown is timely because the housing wait list has more than doubled in five years and hundreds of deserving people are denied housing because of the action of cheating tenants,” Chandrakumanan said.

“We are more than willing to share resources in getting rightful tenants into homes they need and deserve,” he added.

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BY DESIREE TRESA GASPER

Big vision: Maha posing next to a miniature model of Greater Springfield, a development which he envisioned two decades ago. -Pic taken from Maha’s Facebook account.

PETALING JAYA: To the Aussies and even his own wife, he was “Mad Maha Sinnathamby” for wanting to build a city in Brisbane.

Two decades later, this Malaysian-born entrepreneur is one of the richest men in Australia for persisting with his vision of starting Greater Springfield, billed as one of Down Under’s fastest urban growth regions.

According to its website, it is also the only fully master planned city to be built in Australia other than Canberra.

Maha, who has been based in Brisbane since the 1970s, was back here earlier this week to attend a conference on real estate.

“They all used to laugh at me. I would go to meetings and said that I plan to build a city and they told me that I have gone mad!” he said, recalling the reaction of the Australian authorities when he first proposed the idea of Greater Springfield.

It has been 23 years since its inception and Greater Springfield is the main reason behind Maha’s multi-billion-dollar fortune.

The award-winning development is set to be twice the size of Sydney and will include educational institutions and facilities for healthcare, IT and recreation. It will accommodate 105,000 residents by 2030.

In an interview, Maha recounted a tough childhood in Rantau, Negri Sembilan, where he lived with no electricity, little running water and kerosene lamps to study at night.

“I’m a person who has struggled all the way but I think I am what I am because of the way I was brought up. You were told to survive, and I had to survive,” he said.

Maha took on various jobs like selling fruits, driving a taxi and repairing and selling second-hand cars.

Even his education was a stormy path and he failed several times before graduating in civil engineering from University of New South Wales. Despite having a degree, Maha said he was jobless for some time before he finally got a break in real estate.

“I became very rich but lost everything due to a technical fault. I was forced to start from the bottom again. But I never gave up,” he said, adding that he was motivated by his father, a hospital assistant, and his mother, whom he described as a “very, very determined” woman.

“I also try and keep myself around positive people because it reflects my energy.”

Maha, who has four children and nine grandchildren, said it was pointless for Malaysians to complain about everything.

Malaysia, he said, had tremendous potential and there should be a focus on education, training and retraining.

“Education is the only currency that you can cash in anywhere. No one can steal something inside your head.”

He added that the pool of readily available talent should be used.

Maha said his focus would remain on developing Greater Springfield and also giving back to society.

“I will not just give money away. It’s like giving crutches to someone who can walk. I think we should train them, teach them so that they can earn a living and live with dignity,” he said.

The post From taxi driver to city builder appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

BY CHERYL POO

High traffic: Gateway@KLIA2 is expected to break even within the next two to three years.

WHEN WCT Holdings Bhd opened its first mall – the Aeon Bukit Tinggi Shopping Mall – in Klang eight years ago, it was a start to a long-term plan to diversify into shopping mall ownership and management.

The company had built retail buildings including The Curve and Tesco Mutiara Damansara, Tesco Bukit Tinggi, Aeon Bukit Indah Johor and Aeon Malacca, so it was a natural progression for the construction outfit.

In the last three years, the group has, though its property arm WCT Land developed two more retail buildings – the Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya and Gateway@KLIA2, the integrated complex at the budget airlines airport.

A total of RM5bil had been allocated for its investment and development of this business arm.

It plans to build the Paradigm Johor Baru, a 1.3 million sq ft mall along Jalan Skudai.

Construction for Paradigm Johor Baru is underway and the mall will be launched next year,

This will be followed by Paradigm Kuala Lumpur, a mall with 1.5 million sq ft of net lettable area in Old Klang Road.

The project will entail development cost of RM700mil and would also comprise residential towers, offices, a hotel and perhaps an auditorium.

While plans for both malls have yet to be announced, WCT Malls Management general manager Vincent Chong tells StarBizWeek the offerings must be enticing to keep up with competitors.

Not far off from WCT’s upcoming mall in Kuala Lumpur, the Pavilion Holdings Group too is setting up a mall of about two million sq ft.

Battling the odds

With the upcoming addition of sizeable new malls such as Sunway Putra Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Velocity Mall in Cheras, IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, WCT has been fanning its advertising and promotional activities,

This year, WCT has been bringing in celebrities for meet-and-greet sessions by collaborating with Astro, Fox and Dreamworks.

Riding on the K-pop craze, it discovered, really draws in the crowd.

“By early morning, many teenagers were waiting with their mothers for tickets,” Chong says.

He admits Paradigm Petaling Jaya, which has a rental rate of RM7-8 per sq ft on its 680,000 net lettable area, has not experienced growth in terms of numbers since January.

“We must be realistic. For now, our focus is just to sustain business for our tenants. As such, we haven’t targeted growth for this mall this year,” Chong says.

Now that Paradigm has stabilised, WCT is ready to launch an office tower and hotel components, the latter, which will be managed by New World Millenium Hong Kong Hotel.

By next month, seven levels of office space at Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya will be ready. WCT will occupy two levels, while negotiations with multi-level companies and a university to tenant the rest of the building by the third quarter of 2016 are underway.

The Paradigm mall needs an occupancy rate of 85% to be sustainable, while Pavilion Kuala Lumpur requires at least 80%.

Chong: ‘If another opportunity to build an airport mall comes up, we should be first in line to do it.

Managing an airport mall

WCT is expecting Gateway@KLIA2, its long-term concession with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, to break even within the next two to three years.

For 2015, the airport complex’s annual gross revenue is expected to be RM105mil.

“Running an airport mall is different from managing one in the city,” Chong says.

Gateway has 120 retailers and they occupy 74% of the total net lettable area (NLA).

Food and beverage providers make up 30% of the tenancy mix, while the rest are providers of travel items, books and magazines, fashion apparel and accessories.

It has not been easy for WCT to find suitable tenants at the Gateway@KLIA2 mall in spite of the high traffic there, but Chong explains there are only 350,000 sq ft of NLA available as the mall is part of the airport and not a standalone retail building as is in some countries. “These numbers may not seem encouraging but bear in mind that KLIA2 was designed to cater to 45 million passengers. In that case, we shouldn’t expect 100% occupancy rate for now,” Chong said.

Gateway is currently only catering to about 25 million airport passengers and captures some three million footfalls per month.

Jaya Grocer, which initially caters to the 10,000 airport employees, is now providing convenience to foreign tourists and locals.

“We aren’t projecting a significant increase in occupancy and we have to be very careful about our tenancy mix. Another nasi lemak vendor would just cannibalise other existing food outlets,” Chong said. “For now, we need more fashion tenants.”

As passenger numbers are expected to grow to 28 million from 25 million this year, WCT will grow and expand Gateway in tandem with that.

“We work closely with tenants such as the RM1 day promotion, where meals and products are sold at RM1. We will probably do that again after our Raya promotions,” Chong says.

Overseas ventures?

For the first quarter ended March 31, the group’s property development and investment segments registered revenue of RM102mil and operational profit of RM32mil.

At the group level, net profit was RM33mil, 17.5% lower than RM40mil last year.

Revenue was RM352mil, 24.6% lower than RM467mil the year before due to the completion of several projects.

WCT said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia it expected contribution from the new projects to increase in the second half of the year.

It was reported that WCT was looking to venture into the Indonesian property market with a company there.

“To do that, we must really explore first. For now, we are comfortable in Malaysia and we have a unique product in Gateway. If another opportunity to build an airport mall comes up, we should be first in line to do it,” Chong says.

“If Indonesia asks, we would say yes.”

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IJM Land Berhad’s iconic development wins World Silver Award under the Master Plan Category in the FIABCI World Prix D’Excellence 2015

Dreamy: THE LIGHT Collection II – Marina

A WATERFRONT project by IJM Land Berhad, THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang, was conferred the World Silver Award in the Master Plan category at the FIABCI World Prix D’Excellence Awards 2015 gala night on 30 May 2015.

IJM Land managing director Edward Chong said, “It is a great honour for us to receive this globally recognised prestigious award. This award is a welcome recognition of our efforts and investment in design, sustainability and innovative technology, which will translate into healthier, sustainable and conscientious workplaces, homes and public spaces that benefit our residents at THE LIGHT Waterfront as well as the community in Penang”.

The visionary development is IJM Land’s initiative to showcase the best in integrated waterfront living with residential, commercial, hospitality and entertainment components all housed in one dynamic hub. This involves work to reclaim over 152 acres of land. This project was conceptualised as a regeneration scheme for the Jelutong area.

Three-phase integrated waterfront development
THE LIGHT comprises three phases:
• Phase One (42 acres) – Residential (state-of-the-art waterfront living with a total of 1,177 units comprising condominiums, water villas and individual marina docking facilities)

• Phase Two (103 acres) – Mixed Development (shopping mall and retail shops, hotels, MICE facilities, service residences, condominium, marina and corporate offices)

• Phase Three (7 acres) – Seafront Park (jogging path and bicycle tracks and other recreational facilities including enhancement to the existing ecosystem of the area)

The Gross Development Value (GDV) for the entire development is RM6.5 billion.

Silver award: (From left) FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence president of awards committee 2015 Ir. Yeow Thit Sang, His Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, IJM Land Berhad managing director Edward Chong and FIABCI world president 2014-2015 Robyn Waters posing for a picture at the event.

The project has many firsts in Penang including a full integration of IP solutions for home automation through ‘fibre to the home’, integrated CCTV system to monitor site security, fully wired-up network with a fibre optic backbone, plug-and-play and other aspects of a green development for tomorrow’s generation.

The development also earned Malaysia’s Green Building Index (GBI) certification for incorporating environmentally sustainable elements throughout the development.

The project has been designed to be the heart of the community. Much attention was devoted to creating user-friendly facilities and promoting green and outdoor living for residents and visitors. Features include beautifully landscaped recreational linear park complete with amenities such as cycling tracks and jogging paths designed to cater to users of all age groups. The cycling tracks form the largest contribution to the State’s endeavour to build a cycling track all the way from Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas to George Town. Approximately more than 50% of the State’s cycling track alignment (total distance of 12.5km) is within THE LIGHT master plan.

There is also a self-sustaining marine ecosystem of the waterways, which act as both a conservation and education tool. This effort is supported by the Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre (TUMEC), an agency under the Malaysian Fisheries Department.

THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang was also named winner in the Master Plan category at the FIABCI Malaysia Property Awards 2014.

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Sime Darby Property organised the ‘Xplore Elmina Carnival 2015’ to add zest and fanfare to the official launch of City of Elmina

Fun race: Mountain bike racers being flagged off by Sime Darby Property senior vice-president Mohd Salem Kailany (far left, with flag) and Shah Alam mayor, Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad (right).

IN conjunction with the official launch of City of Elmina, Sime Darby Property organised the ‘Xplore Elmina Carnival 2015’, which offered various wellness and activities such as the Mountain Bike (MTB) jamboree and race, a flea market, food trucks, concert and fun carnival.

Shah Alam mayor Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad and Sime Darby Property senior vice-president, Property Mohd Salem Kailany were present to officiate the event and flag-off the first event, MTB Jamboree & Race.

The MTB Jamboree & Race event received more than 1,000 enthusiastic participants. The activity was conducted on a specially designed off-road course, spanning a distance of 41km and 35km respectively, which highlighted the scenic and lush trail that surrounds the picturesque township. Winners walked away with cash and other prizes.

An exclusive concert, featuring performances from popular artistes such as Anuar Zain, Amy Search, Jaclyn Victor, Hafiz Suip, Suki and Altimet was the pinnacle event of the ‘Xplore Elmina Carnival 2015’ and draws the curtain for the day’s activities.

Concert: The crowd anticipating the Xplore Elmina Concert, which marked the finale of Sime Darby Property’s Lifestyle Collection campaign, and the opening of the City of Elmina.

City of Elmina
City of Elmina spans across 5,000 acres of landbank that includes the townships of Denai Alam, Bukit Subang, Elmina East and Elmina West, North and South. While some townships have already been developed, Elmina East is the latest township under the umbrella.

“City of Elmina further pushes the envelope in the development of sustainable communities, going beyond the usual eco-friendly gestures and embracing wellness in its entirety, to create a well-balanced living environment for a vibrant and healthy growing urban community,” Mohd Salem shared.

One of City of Elmina’s features is the 300-acre Elmina Central Park. The element of wellness in the township will include a 90-kilometer cycling and jogging track, which is one of the longest tracks in the country, and a wellness community complex for the community’s leisure needs.

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