Penang REHDA Expects Fewer Property Launches This Year, Johor To Provide 80% Land Premium Discount And, More
26th April – 2nd May
The Penang branch of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) expects this year’s number of new launches to be up to 60% lower than in 2019, due to rising labour and material costs.
Meanwhile, the state government of Johor will provide an 80% discount amounting to RM1.6 million to Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Sri Tanjung residents in Benut for the payment of land premiums related to their relocation.
1. Penang REHDA expects fewer property launches this year
The Penang branch of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) expects this year’s number of new launches to be up to 60% lower than in 2019, due to rising labour and material costs.
Penang REHDA Chairman Khoo Teck Chong noted that the pace of new residential property launches had already been slower over the past two years due to the pandemic and buyers have continued to be cautious even as the country transitions out of the pandemic.
“We hope that the prices of materials will stabilise by the third quarter of this year and maybe after that, developers will consider launching new projects that have been put on hold,” he told Malay Mail.
He stated that the slowdown in new launches could affect the state’s supply of affordable housing and proposed that the state take over the development of low cost and low medium cost housing.
“It is most ideal to build low cost and low medium cost housing this way, the state identifies a suitable location, the private sector makes the necessary contributions and the state can build using the contributions and allocate it to those eligible,” added Khoo.
2. Johor to provide 80% land premium discount
The state government of Johor will provide an 80% discount amounting to RM1.6 million to Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Sri Tanjung residents in Benut for the payment of land premiums related to their relocation.
This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also approved an additional RM1.5 million allocation for the construction of a mosque in Parit Haji Ariff, reported Bernama.
A total of 170 housing units were constructed for the relocation of flood victims and homeless fishermen in Sungai Pinggan and Sungai Benut as well as the hardcore poor living around Benut.
The development project, which involves the construction of semi-detached homes with basic facilities such as roads, sewage treatment system and water and electricity supply, is built on 30 acres state-owned site, costing RM41.5 million.
Construction works on the project started on 16 May 2017 and ended in August last year.
3. Kampung Koskan homeowners look forward to moving in following completion of infrastructure
Forty-two house buyers in Kampung Koskan Tambahan in Sungai Choh, Rawang in Selangor look forward to moving into their property, with the completion of infrastructure such as roads, drainage and sewerage systems, a field as well as access to water and electricity.
This comes after the state government approved the infrastructure proposal for the project under the Abandoned Projects Revival Fund and appointed a new contractor in May 2022 to do the construction works at a cost of RM5,102,112, reported The Star.
Notably, the project was started in 2000 but was delayed due to the contractor’s bankruptcy in 2012.
“Now, only infrastructure like streetlights needs to be completed,” said Rodziah Ismail, Chairman of Selangor Housing, Urban Wellbeing and Entrepreneur Development Committee.
She advised houseowners to make repairs and maintenance to their own homes and to contact relevant authorities to get everything in order.
She also urged district councils to appoint developers instead of contractors for housing projects to avoid issues with infrastructure.
4. Pasir Gudang introduces security scheme at housing areas
Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) has introduced the Social Security Scheme (SKS) to improve the safety of housing areas.
The scheme requires the consent of 80% of the residents within the area before it could be put into action, reported The Star.
“It is similar to the service provided by the gated-and-guarded housing areas, but instead of paying for the maintenance fee, the residents would only need to pay for the security guards’ salaries,” said Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman, Mayor of Pasir Gudang.
Regulations will also be put in place on how the gates will be installed, the guard house and the lighting system, he said, adding that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will also be installed at the main entrance and exit.
Under this scheme, housing areas will open the community gate from 7am to 7pm.
MBPG is also conducting a regularisation exercise, which would run until 30 June, for all commercial lots to address subletting issues.
“There have been reports of subletting cases involving locals and foreigners, and those who are found to have violated the MBPG tenancy terms and conditions will have their licences revoked immediately,” said Asman Shah.
5. Teladan to offer solar-ready homes
Teladan Setia Group Bhd will be the first developer in Melaka to offer solar-ready homes.
This comes after its fully-owned subsidiary Teladan Setia Sdn Bhd (TSSB), entered into a memorandum of understanding with Micro Energy Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd (MEH) for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems within its Taman Bertam Heights Phase 2A gated and guarded housing project in Melaka, reported The Malaysian Reserve.
The collaboration will see Teladan install solar PV systems that range from 2 kilowatt-peak (KWp) to 4KWp at the development’s 352 housing units, significantly reducing homeowners’ electricity cost by up to 75%.
MEH has been appointed as the project’s turnkey engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) provider.
To be launched in Q3 FY2023, the housing development is expected to be completed by 2026.
