Make Medini City A Second Special Financial Zone, PTG To Stop Issuing Quit Rent Bills Manually From 2024 And, More
29th August – 4th September
A property expert has called for the creation of a second special financial zone in Medini City, in addition to the one in Forest City.
Meanwhile, the Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG) will cease issuing quit rent (land tax) bills manually from next year as part of its efforts to modernise its process.
1. Make Medini City a second special financial zone
A property expert has called for the creation of a second special financial zone in Medini City, in addition to the one in Forest City.
KGV International Property Consultants Sdn Bhd Executive Director Samuel Tan said establishing a second special financial zone would address unemployment issues facing Medini City by attracting people via incentives, reported the New Straits Times.
This could eventually see vacant properties being filled up and new investments pouring into the area.
“This would revitalise the city and rebalance growth in the Johor Bharu city centre, Medini City, and Forest City,” said Tan.
His proposal comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that a special financial zone will be established in Iskandar Puteri’s Forest City, with various incentives offered including multiple entry visas, 15% income tax rate for knowledge workers and expedited entrance for those working in Singapore.
Located in the Johor Straits, Forest City comprises four artificial islands on reclaimed land spanning 30 sq km. The development – a joint venture between China’s Country Garden Group and Esplanade Danga 88 Sdn Bhd – is expected to house 700,000 people by 2035.
2. PTG to stop issuing quit rent bills manually from 2024
In a bid to modernise its process, the Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG) will cease issuing quit rent (land tax) bills manually from next year.
Instead of physical bills, taxpayers will receive their bills via email. The bills can also be accesses via the e-Tanah system, which stores all land-related transaction data for future reference, reported Bernama.
“Therefore, users are encouraged to register on e-Tanah for the convenience of e-bill reception. Currently, over 50,000 individuals have already registered,” said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Those with no internet access or are not proficient in using computers can seek help from their local village head, local State Assemblyman’s office or their Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) secretary.
This means they no longer need to visit a physical counter just to get their bills, he said.
Saarani shared that tax collection has been on the rise compared to 2021 and 2022, with land tax collection between February and July 2023 up from that collected in the previous year.
3. Sabah developers urged to build more affordable homes
Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam has urged Sabah housing developers to build more affordable homes for the people.
He said the government is willing to sit down with industry players to come up with a mechanism that would allow them to construct high-end homes and affordable housing, reported The Star.
The minister shared that he is aware of the developers’ concerns over the mismatch created by building luxury homes with low-cost houses within the same vicinity, given that many house buyers wanted to live in an exclusive community.
“I am aware of this problem but the government needs your help in building affordable property. So we need to meet and discuss a workable mechanism,” said Dr Gunsalam, who also serves as state Local Government and Housing Minister.
“Probably one of the conditions is that you pay a certain percentage of the property value to a fund.”
And while Shareda has helped provide affordable homes within the state, he explained that the homes are not enough to address the needs of the M40 and B40 group.
4. High-rise buildings can withstand light tremors
An expert has assured that high-rise buildings in Malaysia, which complied with the Uniform Building By-Laws’ (UBBL) requirement, can withstand a low level of ground shake.
This comes as gravity and lateral wind loads were factored during design consideration.
“This means existing buildings, especially high-rise buildings would have the inherent strength against low seismic activity and ground tremors,” explained Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEM) representative Chin Lee Leng.
Her comments come amid concerns on building safety after tremors were experienced due to earthquakes at neighbouring countries, reported The Star.
She noted that the lessons from the Highland Tower collapse in 1993 have prompted authorities to be stricter when it comes to hillslope development.
In fact, the government has introduced guidelines on development planning for highlands and hills in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and other states.
“A task force compromising several agencies sit on the Technical Committee for Environmentally Sensitive Areas to scrutinise all planning approvals of development in these areas,” added Chin.
5. Johor to form special committee to address abandoned shopping complex
The state government of Johor plans to form a special committee that will address the issue of abandoned shopping complex – Lot 1 JB Waterfront City.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi shared that the committee will be chaired by Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, Chairman of the state Housing and Local Government Committee, reported the Bernama.
“The state government had studied and pored over the several proposals to resolve the shopping complex,” he said in a Facebook post.
He noted that the shopping complex operated for three years only before it was abandoned in 2003.
Mohd Jafni reportedly said that Lot 1 JB Waterfront City was one of the abandoned buildings given attention by the state government.
However, he clarified that the abandoned building issue within the city needs collaborative solutions involving both the building owners and the state as they adversely affect the city’s aesthetics.
6.Three new towers to rise at Merdeka 118 complex
The RM5 billion Merdeka 118 complex will see more construction next year, with PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd set to commence construction on three new residential towers.
Set to be completed by 2027, the three residential towers are 65-storey Merdeka Residences East Tower, 63-storey Merdeka Residences West Tower and Oakwood Premier Kuala Lumpur serviced residences, reported the New Straits Times.
The development of the three towers sparked concerns on traffic congestion within the densely populated area.
However, an insider believes that the project has considered all aspects of development before starting construction works on the three towers next year to avoid unnecessary stress on road users.
He also sees the iconic project having significant impact on surrounding properties, especially residential properties.
“The proximity to such a prominent name will be used as a sales gimmick,” said the insider.
Currently the world’s second-tallest structure at 678.9 meters, the Merdeka 118 tower is over 70% occupied, with anchor tenant Maybank taking up 33 storeys.
Construction works at the iconic skyscraper started in 2016. The Merdeka 118 development include other components, such as the Stadium Merdeka, 118 Mall, Stadium Negara and the Merdeka Textile Museum.
7. Planning permission for Taman Kelab Ukay hillslope project lapses
The planning permission for a major project on unstable hillslopes at Taman Kelab Ukay, Ampang, Selangor has lapsed on 13 October last year.
Dr Ani Ahmad, President of Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), said the planning permission was granted on 14 October 2020 after it was approved by the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Development Technical Committee on 24 September 2019, reported The Star.
She shared that the planning permission was issued for one year and extended for another year until 13 October 2022. However, no development took place at the site during the expiry of the permit.
The proposed site was owned by Lembah Langat Development Sdn Bhd and was zoned for residential use under the MPAJ Local Plan (Amendment 2) 2020.
The proposed project included four phases, comprising 54 townhouse units, one three-storey apartment building, one 29-storey apartment block and one 37-storey apartment building.
