PLB Engineering sells land

KUALA LUMPUR: PLB Engineering Bhd's wholly-owned sub-subsidiary, Pelangi Sehati Development Sdn Bhd, has disposed of a vacant freehold in Seberang Perai Selatan to Chin Hin Land Sdn Bhd for RM22.183mil, it said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia. - Bernama

PHT questions council’s way of tackling floods

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) is concerned over the approach taken by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to overcome floods in the state’s heritage enclave. PHT president Khoo Salma Nasution said it lauded the effort by MPPP to mitigate floods but what was of concern, were the methods and approaches adopted. “We are happy that the (local) authorities have listened to the people’s concerns. However, we have also received numerous complaints from the public over the scope of the implementation,” she said. Khoo Salma said that in the past few weeks, the PHT had received complaints from ratepayers about damage to private property and shophouses when the historic granite fonts were removed and discarded. “The excessive use of concrete to fight floodwaters is worrisome,” she said. PHT council member Rebecca Wilkinson-Duckett said that the use of box culverts had altered the natural drainage ecology in George Town. “The original brick and lime structures were permeable and allowed for underground water to flow into the drains. “The concrete box culverts prevent such action. The new drains also prevent smooth outflow of water from air wells of shophouses and have hampered PHT’s efforts to get owners to re-open their air wells.” It was reported that the state government was disappointed that a few heritage-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had complained about MPPP’s works to upgrade drainage in the heritage areas. State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said they should not have complained to the National Heritage Department without referring first to the council. He said that the NGOs had complained that the drains should not be upgraded as they were part of Penang’s heritage. “We are upgrading the drains because they are old and they cannot hold a heavy volume of water during the rainy season. This has resulted in floods. Flooding is a major concern to all. We are upgrading the drains to address the issue. The NGOs should consider this before lodging complaints,” he said. - The Star

It’s a walk down heritage lane in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: It was a different kind of hustle and bustle along Beach Street when families came in droves to cycle, stroll or jog in what is usually a car-jammed stretch in the city's central business district. It was Penang's first Car-Free Sunday, when all motorised vehicles were declared off-limits along this and other selected stretches in George Town from 7am to 5pm yesterday. Thousands turned up at the crack of dawn for the launching of the event by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, joining him on a bicycle ride through the inner city. The off-limit stretches for motor vehicles are Beach Street (from the China Street junction to the Union Street junction), Bishop Street and Church Street (both from the Beach Street junctions to the Penang Street junction) and the whole stretch of Church Street Ghaut. “The event is another milestone in the state's efforts to go green and fight climate change,” said Lim, adding that the streets are for Penangites to make their own every Sunday. Engineer Timothy Wooi, 51, drew a lot of attention when he came with a Penny Farthing, a bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. “I made it from recycled parts at a cost of RM800,” he said. Another cyclist Mubarak Omar, 63, brought along his nearly 50-year-old bicycle. “While I have a car, I still use this bike that I bought in 1962,” he said. Children and tiny tots were also having a great time with their cycles and tricycles, with parents taking leisurely strolls. Some young people were doing in-line skating and some were doing aerobic dances by the street. Businessman Liam Goh, 43, said it felt weird to walk along Beach Street without seeing any cars. “I plan to bring my parents here next week as it will be nice for them to stroll by the heritage buildings without fear of being hit by motor vehicles,” he said. - The Star

槟中廉屋将减半 郑两明：废27年政策乱象频生

(槟城11日讯)槟州房屋规划政策大转变，放宽发展商承建“中廉价屋”(LMC)固打需求，槟岛中廉价屋数量料将面对减半局面。 在奉行27年的房屋政策下，政府规定发展商在槟岛西南县建造超过100个单位下须承建30%的中廉价屋，然而以槟州首长为首的林冠英的州策划委员会(SPC)，早在去年6月28日已通过指示，对房屋政策作出大修订，包括放宽有关指示。 槟州民政党地方政府及房屋局主任郑两明出席于大街29号举行的非政府组织论坛研讨会后，如是表示。他说，槟州民联政府在去年6月废除了奉行了27年的房屋发展政策，是目前槟州发展乱象频生的肇因。 郑两明指出，槟州政府是于2010年6月28日通过废除奉行27年的槟州房屋发展密度政策，其中房屋密度不超过州政府规定的承建中廉价屋固打房屋计划，其密度从每依格30单位提高至87，而房屋超过政府规定的承建中廉价屋固打需要的房屋计划，密度从原有30单位提高3倍至120单位。 此外，更将西南县的中廉价屋固打从旧有举凡建造超过100个单位即须承建30%的中廉价屋，减一半至15%，减少发展商承建中廉价屋的数量。 他表示，槟州政府提高房屋发展密度已衍生各种发展乱象，如在槟岛北岸即出现房屋密度从原有的100多个单位突激增4倍至600多个单位。 他表示，在政府提高发展密度下将造成原有的基本设施出现不胜负荷情况，如交通冲击、排水系统及排污系统等，这也是为何一些原有的住宅区，开始针对高密度乱象发展进行抗议行动。他促请槟州政府悬崖勒马，灰复原有房屋发展政策。 绿色建筑发展费减双倍 绿色建筑发展费减两倍。 在州策划委员会通过的新指南，符合绿色建筑指数(GBI)的发展计划的发展收费将大大减少，以示鼓励，其中从设计至完成符合指数规定的计划分为两类，一是住宅区为5令吉，而商业类分为7令吉。然而，一般的发展收费将是每平方公尺为15令吉，商业区却是每平方公尺21令吉。 6地将成高密度禁区 在槟州政府2010年通过的房屋密度下，有6个地区将成为提高密度禁区。 上述地区，包括东姑阿都拉曼路（亚逸拉惹及布朗律）、杰瑟顿园、原有住宅区(established housing)及根据现规划及发展控制指南下的低密度区、乔治市世遗区、从洛306（丹绒武雅酒店）至洛97（Mar Vista）及丹绒武雅区、少过每依格30密度的丹绒武雅区。 在槟州策划委员会于6月30日通过的指南下，获准提高密度地区有三类，一是根据现有密度控制规划下拥有每依格30单位的地区、在市政局规划及发展控制规划下的一般住宅区（perumahan am），在市政局规划及发展控制规划下，最高密度高达每依格30单位的商业及一般旅游区。 槟从法治沦为“人治” 郑两明指出，槟州政府已从法治沦为“人治”，其中莫实得填海事件即反映出一切事只要林冠英说了算数。 他表示，槟州首长林冠英原先承诺授权莫实得控股公司在百安湾进行百依格填地，在当地居民反对下，林冠英才收回决定。而他表示，在地下国际会展中心计划下，州政府提供发展商额外1500单位密度发展，完全否决了本身制定的法律。 此外，他也表示，州政府积极推动的海底隧道计划并未列在地方发展蓝图下，再来是百安湾的填土计划却是在未进行环境评估报告下将土地转手私人发展商。他提及，上述政策已乖离了地方政府发展蓝图，也是浪费纳税人公款之举，并从法治沦为人治时代。- 光华

推动低碳排放公交系统 槟电车重上轨道？

(槟城10日讯)耗资只须数千万令吉计的有轨或无轨“电车”(trams)有望恢复穿行乔治市世遗区。 槟城政府行政核心的乔治市在百年前即已见有轨及无轨电车穿行其中，当时路线更远至亚依淡，然却在时代中被淘汰，现公路上尚埋有电车铁轨，成为受保护文物遗产。 而在槟州民联政府上台后也提及恢复此计划，来自澳洲的电车专家力法兰西(Ric Francis)更在槟城古迹信托会牵线下，于2007年及2008年分别向前朝及民联州政府献计及拟定灰复1906年即已穿行槟岛的有轨电车路线图，当时提出的费用只须数6000万令吉，即可为乔治市提供10部有轨电车，然而却只闻楼梯响，不见人下来，迄今近4年，未再提起。 然而，槟州地方政府委员会主席曹观友行政议员向本报记者暗示，推动低碳排放公交系统走向绿色已是大势所趋，州政府也会朝此方面推进，这也意味任何符合此概念的公交系统将是州政府的首选，电车将成政府未来选择。 而他指出，不同有轨电车，其中无轨电车或有较大伸展空间(flexibility)，然而他同时承认后者也面对原有电线牵制，伸缩性空间也同样有限。 他认为，电车可在未来大势所趋下取代现有市政局提供的免费巴士服务，而他接获的献议的无轨电车计划耗资只须约2千万令吉，以引进5辆电车巴士穿行乔治市的主干路线。 无轨电车计划耗费不高 曹观友认为，无轨电车计划耗费不高，所以钱不是问题。不过他认为电车计划也必须含盖其他的配套方案来贯彻推行，以取得最大收效，减少路上交通。 不过他承认在推行电车计划以发挥其实际功能，并非只凭一种做法即可成功减少车流量的目标，鼓励人民放弃私家车出入，反之他认为，在实行计划下，城市地区必须减少私家车穿行，所以涉及的范围周边必须提供足够充裕的泊车空间，同时作出一些必要限制，逼使人民放弃私家车，选择电车公交；“比如我们需限制车辆进城，以免出现市政局提供的免费巴士只成为一些乐龄人士、外劳或是学生选择，不能实际有效的减少路上车辆。” 此外他也认为，为减少路上车辆，政府或须为电车或巴士开辟专行车道(BRT)。我们可在一些繁忙时段禁止车辆进入专用车道，比如早上7时至9时的上班时，这将造成公众更愿选择巴士。 曹观友也表示，本身希望电车系统可在乔治市重新穿行，有关计划相信将将纳入槟城交通大蓝图下讨论，蓝图下将会就交通的规划提出全面探讨，相信电车作为其中交通选择也会成为考虑选择，并鉴定其可行及必要性。 曾家麟：刺激经济发展 有效减缓交通阻塞 马来西亚物流师协会总会会长曾家麟硕士大力认同电车计划，认为有效减少20%的路上交通车流。 他向本报记者表示，认为电车也将有助刺激经济发展，带动区内的经贸活动，他表示，有轨电车可在最低成本下，即无须重新铺设轨道下重新启用。电车也可成为乔治市添加一个新景观，成为游客的其中选择，它将带来复古气氛，相信将受到游客及本地人的欢迎，同时它将把人流从一个点载至另一个点，促进终点的商贸活动。 不过他承认有轨电车并非100%完美，比如其轨道的安全以及电力输送安全都必须受到考虑，唯他相信该如同迷你地铁(MRT)计划将带来实际的交通舒缓帮助。 澳电车专家献议 6千万打造有轨电车系统 澳洲电车专家向政府献计，献议6千万为乔治市打造有轨电车系统。 来自澳洲阿德雷特的电车专家力法兰奇(Ric Francis)即在一项提呈槟州政府的建议书中，建议以电车作为乔治市的一项公共交通服务，建议书中提出预算，涉及的金额约6000万令吉，即可在乔治市内恢复推行电车计划(Tram)。 据了解，在计划下即提出，电车计划的全盘造价费约6千398万4千令吉，其中涉及购置7辆可容纳220名乘客的大型电车，以及3辆可容纳40名乘客的小电车。 报告中将电车计划分为四阶段推行，涉及七公里的车轨，其中首阶段计划涉及4千500公尺的车轨、第二阶段2千450公尺车轨、第三阶段1千300公尺及第四阶段600公尺。其中首阶段工程将涉及乔治市最繁忙的交通路线，即是从海墘路绕至旧关仔角钟楼进入莱特街，经过红毛路再驶入槟榔路、并在林萃龙路左转驶入新光大广场及沓田仔街，及驶向海墘路原点。第二阶段则从旧关仔角开始进入海边，驶进土库街及进入牛干冬，并与第一阶段的槟榔路车轨衔接；第三阶段则从靠近法庭的椰脚街开始进入沓田仔，并在林翠龙路及沓田仔路停站；最后阶段则最短，将衔接土库街/牛干冬交界处与沓田仔街/打铜仔街交界处及土库街与打铜仔街。计划下每个站将间隔500至600公尺，这也意味交通使用者将在少过300公尺距离内搭乘电车。 建议设立维修厂房 计划下建议设立一个维修厂房，建议在光大旁一块作为交通枢纽的2000平方公尺的空地设立，或是在海干及林萃龙路的交界处。 在椰脚街小巷(Lorong Pitt)的旧建筑还是可以派上用场，如其他国家般，电缆可悬挂在特别竖立的电柱上或建筑之间，若是采用后者，则必须修正一些法律条文。建议书中指出，电车重新在槟城推介的预算并不精准，所有供应及制造商皆来自国外，本地没安装电缆及悬挂半空的人员。 相关照片 ■ 槟榔律的有轨电车轨道出土，成为受保护文物遗迹。 ■ 双层电车出现在柑仔园路情景。 ■ 昔日穿行的无轨电车系统。 ■ 走进历史的有轨电车会重新川行乔治市？ ■ 槟岛旧日有轨电车路线图，穿行至植物园、亚依淡及日落洞区。 ■ 澳电车专家为槟岛拟定的电车路线图。 ■ 力法兰西展示其与另一名作者Colin Ganley出版槟州电车，探讨槟岛1880年至1963年的交通系统。- 光华

Singapore’s property game changes

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian developers that enthusiastically expanded across the Causeway could hit a bump in their plans, following the latest move by Singapore to further cool its property market by making buyers, particularly foreigners, pay more in taxes. Singapore’s government had on Wednesday announced that foreigners buying private homes will have to fork out an additional stamp duty amounting to 10% of the property’s value. Singapore permanent residents meanwhile will be subject to an additional stamp duty of 3% for second and subsequent properties while citizens purchasing their third and subsequent homes will similarly have to pay an extra 3% on the property’s value. Foreign buyers accounted for 19% of all private residential purchases in 2HFY11, up from 7% in 1HFY09. Explaining its rationale, the government said in a press release that demand for private residential properties in Singapore remained firm and prices have continued to rise, albeit more slowly in the last two quarters. It can’t help that the new measures, which came into effect yesterday, raised concerns that property developers will be hit in the immediate term. Malaysian property players that have expanded to Singapore include S P Setia Bhd, Selangor Dredging Bhd, IOI Corp Bhd, YTL Land and Development Bhd and sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd. “The effect is expected to be most felt by developers with projects in the pipeline as well as those that sell substantially to non-Singaporean customers,” said a local property analyst. Singapore has had one of the most exciting real estate markets in the region as investors from China, Indonesia and Malaysia snapped up private residential properties in the island state. According to Singapore government data, foreign buyers accounted for 19% of all private residential property purchases in 2HFY11, a substantial increase from 7% in 1HFY09. However, S P Setia president and CEO Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin seemed unfazed by the new measures to curb real estate speculation in Singapore. Liew said S P Setia’s Singapore projects are mainly targeted at Singaporeans wanting to upgrade their dwellings. He expects to sell about 70% of the group’s real estate units there to Singaporeans. Additionally, Liew does not expect its non-Singaporean customers to be frightened off by the additional stamp duty charges. “The remaining 30% would be foreigners who want to buy anyway, regardless of the stamp duty and additional 10% charge,” a confident Liew said after announcing the group’s latest financial results. Liew also pointed out that S P Setia’s maiden project in Melbourne had seen fast take up from Malaysians despite the strong Australian dollar against the ringgit. S P Setia made its maiden foray to Singapore in April after acquiring a freehold development along Woodsville Close for redevelopment. It plans to redevelop the 0.68-acre land into a multi-storey residential apartment building with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of S$130 million (RM316.3 million). The project is expected to be launched in the coming months. Just last week, S P Setia announced that its subsidiary had won a tender for a 4.62-acre parcel at Singapore’s Chestnut Avenue for S$180 million. The eco-themed development comprises residential apartments with an estimated GDV of S$465 million. The project is scheduled for launched in 4Q12. Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB), another Malaysian property developer with ongoing projects in the island republic, believes that Singapore remains a viable investment destination despite the new measures. SDB communications and corporate affairs manager Yeoh Guan Jin said although the impact of the new measures will likely be felt quickly, the market will adapt to the new regime. “Speculation will likely be curbed for now. But in the longer term, demand for property will return to normal. We are confident that the market will ride this out. A more stable and less speculative property sector would be a positive development,” Yeoh told The Edge Financial Daily in an email response. Yeoh added that SDB has no plans of delaying the launch of its fifth Singapore project in Pasir Panjang, which is currently scheduled for 2H12. In Singapore, SDB has completed and sold out its low-density apartment called Jia on Wilkie Road. The other three projects that are close to selling out are its mixed development Okio Residences, Gilstead Two apartments and 41-units of luxury apartments called Hijauan on Cavenagh. Among the Malaysian players, IOI Corp and Khazanah (via listed property arm UEM Land) may be more affected as they have a large landbank there with yet-to-be launched projects. The latter recently gained control of two plots of land in the Marina area in exchange for the surrender of the KTM railway land. Analysts say that a positive spin-off effect of Singapore’s move could be a diversion of property investors to Malaysia, particularly Iskandar Malaysia in Johor and even Penang. “The changes in Singapore may affect its attractiveness. It was previously seen as having quite a liberal environment for real estate ownership by foreigners. Foreigners do not like changes that affect their investments. The Malaysian government has been relatively liberal when it comes to property ownership by non-citizens,” said one property analyst. Foreigners in Malaysia are allowed to buy properties priced at above RM500,000 and own landed homes, the analyst pointed out. He also claimed that the Malaysia My Second Home programme was “the cheapest long-term residency programme” in the world. - The Edge

Foreigners and PRs have to pay more stamp duties in Singapore

ON Wednesday, The Singapore government imposed a new 10% stamp duty on foreigners and companies buying private residential property in the city state. The move, its fifth in the past two years, is the first in 15 years targeted at foreign buyers. The stamp duty, effective from Dec 8, is in addition to the existing buyers' stamp duty, which is 1% for the first S$180,000 of the purchase price, 2% for the next S$180,000 and 3% for the rest, The Straits Times reported. Permanent residents who already own a property, and who are buying a second or subsequent property, will now have to pay an extra stamp duty of 3%. Singaporeans who already own two properties and are buying a third or subsequent property will also pay extra stamp duty of 3%. For a S$1 mil property, a foreigner will have to pay an additional buyer's stamp duty of S$100,000 on top of the current S$24,600. The move underscores two important issues. The first, that inspite of the “open and free” market system there, the government is ready to swallow the bitter pill of plying measures that may well add to an already weakening Singapore economy, if those measures were to be the salvation of the country's greater economy in the long-term. The second is its timing. Why, at this juncture when European leaders are meeting this week in an attempt to solve the eurozone crisis? Thus far, foreigners and Permanent Residents, many of whom are Malaysians, have enjoyed a fairly “open and free market” when it comes to property ownership. Until Wednesday, they faced only certain restrictions in buying landed homes. Notwithstanding this open, free and transparent system, Singapore has a two-tiered property market. There is the HDB (or Housing Development Board) and the private residential market. HDB housing makes up the bulk of the market, at about 80%. Private residential market accounts for only 20%. The fact that the government is concerned about prices shooting further in this 20% portion underscores the primacy of the property sector in the country's greater economy. It also underscores its vast exposure in terms of value, that this 20% commands in Singapore's property market. This private residential portion is primarily owned by foreigners where prices are many times that of the HBD portion. In the event the eurozone talks hit a snag due to disagreements among the eurozone members this weekend, and because of Singapore's high foreign exposure, any price fall in that 20% portion will also affect the HBD portion. In any market where there is a large foreign exposure, there will be a greater degree of volatility because foreign buyers will be the first to leave that market. They will not be staying around to weather the storm. It is the PR holders and citizens who will be staying put. Foreign buyers accounted for 19% of all private residential property purchases in the second half of this year, up from 7% in the first half of 2009. These figures exclude purchases by PRs, The Straits Times reported. Sales of new private homes hit a record 16,292 last year. This year looks to be another banner year with 13,688 units sold in the first 10 months, Straits Times reported. That imposition of the stamp duty is sending a message to investors and speculators that the government is seriously concerned about the formation of any bubbles in that 20% private residential portion. Let us return to Malaysia. For years, property consultants and developers have been trying hard to sell high-end properties, both landed and high-rise to foreigners. They are at a loss why despite comparatively low prices in Malaysia, our properties have not enjoyed the same attention as those in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and other southeast Asian countries. The fact is, low prices alone will not attract foreign buyers. While property ownership seems easy enough foreigners can buy residentials exceeding RM500,000 there are many other factors that play an important role. Notwithstanding all these, do we want a large foreign exposure? There are mixed views about this among property consultants, developers and government. It is a fact that the Malaysian property sector will not have the global intricacies tied up with being an international financial hub, so we need not be too worried about that. But we do need to mull over our own property sector as a result of Singapore's move and consider how we can fine-tune our property sector less the threat of eurozone woes come knocking on our doors. We do have a lot of high-end properties waiting to be sold and authorities who approve such projects need to consider today's global climate. Assistant news editor Thean Lee Cheng has two questions: Do we want a large foreign exposure? And if not, what are we to do with the thousands of units of high-end housing which are unsold today? - The Star

Singapore move likely to benefit Iskandar

JOHOR BARU: Property developers in Iskandar Malaysia are expected to benefit from the new ruling introduced by Singapore for foreigners buying private properties in the republic. The move was introduced on Wednesday to cool private residential property prices in the island state which are on the uptrend despite a slowing economy. Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association branch chairman Simon Heng said foreigners buying properties in Singapore for investment might look elsewhere in the region. “With Iskandar Malaysia progressing well since its inception five years ago, these buyers (foreigners and Singaporeans) are most probably looking at Johor Baru,’’ he told StarBizWeek. Heng said prices of residential properties in Johor were much lower than those in Singapore and Johor’s close proximity with the republic was an added advantage compared with places like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. He said developers with projects in Nusajaya would benefit the most as there were no restrictions on property ownership by foreigners, including Singaporeans. On the other hand, areas outside Nusajaya in Iskandar did not enjoy the privilege and in places where the 30% quota was imposed on developers selling residential properties worth RM500,000 and above, Heng said. Another strong selling point for Nusajaya was its location, not far from the second link crossing, which made it a favourite place for Singaporeans living in Johor Baru but working in the island, he added. UEM Land Holdings Bhd is the master developer of the 9,308ha Nusajaya which is the key driver of Iskandar and one of the five flagship development zones in the country’s first economic region. Nusajaya comprises seven signature developments – Kota Iskandar (Johor State New Administrative Centre), Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters, Puteri Harbour Waterfront Development, EduCity, Medical City, International Destination Resort and Residential Developments. Other flagship development zones in Iskandar are the Johor Baru City Centre, Eastern Gate Development Zone, Western Gate Development Zone and Kulai-Senai. “Rehda members are hoping that the special treatment accorded to Nusajaya would be extended to other development zones in Iskander as well,’’ he said. Meanwhile, Daiman Development Bhd general manager Siah Chin Leong said it was still too early to see the impact on the Johor Baru property market following the new ruling. He said majority of foreigners buying private residential properties in Singapore were investors and high net income individuals who already owned properties in other major cities in the world. Siah said overseas investors were particularly the affluent Chinese from the mainland, Indonesian Chinese, Indian nationals and, to some extent, Malaysians, were flocking to buy properties in Singapore. Berinda Group sales manager Lim Sung Heng expected that there would be a spill-over effect from the ruling on the Johor Baru property market probably within the next few months. He said the state government and other relevant agencies must make more effort to make Iskander a preferred destination for property buyers not only Singaporeans but also other nationalities. - The Star

A house built on smart ideas

WITH cool breeze blowing into his house which is also basking in ample natural light, retiree Tan Vait Leong does not need to switch on the lights or air conditioner during the day. Even at noon, the 56-year-old’s bungalow at Puncak Bukit Mutiara in Pearl Hill is still cool, thanks to the environmentally-friendly and open concept design of the house. “The planning of the design of the house started five years ago, while construction of the property took three years to complete. “I would draw up the designs and concepts for the house while I was at airports or in planes, as I travelled frequently for work. “I enjoyed the process, as it was also an outlet for me to destress,” said the former vice-president of a multinational company. Having spent a substantial amount of time travelling, the father-of-four said it was only right that he designed his house ala-resort style so he would not “need to go for holidays anymore”. One of the special features of the house is the photovoltaic (PV) solar panel fixed on the roof, which Tan had obtained through the National Suria 1000 programme to generate power from solar energy. With that, his household is automatically enlisted under the newly launched feed-in-tariff (FiT) programme where Tenaga Nasional Bhd will buy back power generated from the PV solar panel. Currently, the PV electricity subsidised about 20% of the household’s total electricity intake while Tan pays about RM700 monthly for his power bill. “With the FiT, I might not have to fork out a single sen for my electricity bill,” he said yesterday. A tour around the handsome house with a built-up area of 8,000sq ft shows there are five spacious rooms, four bathrooms, an infinity pool with a view overlooking the sea which is also connected to the living room and master bedroom, an indoor fish pond, a kitchen, a family room, a study room, a living room, an outdoor deck as well as a cosy playroom for Tan’s 10-year-old twin daughters. Aptly named after Tan’s wife, Foo Sin Gein, 54, he said his home Gein Villa was constructed to blend into existing green environment where the big trees around are spared from the axe. “I don’t spend money on landscaping. The trees shed leaves seasonally but it is part of the feature of the house. I don’t understand the reasons behind cutting down trees if people want to build houses on the hillside. “Well there are occasions where our ‘special guests’ — monkeys, squirrels and bats will pay a visit but we don’t harm them as they are not aggressive, just playful,” he said. There are no excessive furniture in the house, with only the walnut and cherry flooring along with salvaged chengal wood which Tan used to lay the staircase and kitchen tabletop. “I also use the hollow bricks that were left over from the construction as display shelves,” he said. “We water the plants with water from the fish pond, and we keep plants at the pool and the filter tub to absorb the nitrate.” - The Star

RM7mil drainage system to reduce floods caused by siltation in Batu Ferringhi

A DRAINAGE system costing RM7mil will be constructed in Batu Ferringhi by the Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID). State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the project was expected to solve the flood woes plaguing residents there as the sand buildup at the river mouths was preventing the water from flowing out to sea. “Therefore, each time a heavy rainfall occurs, the overflowing water from the streams will flood to the nearby villages.” He was speaking to reporters after attending a press conference at a hotel yesterday to announce the ‘Penang Beach Make-Over01’ programme to be held at the Batu Ferringhi beach this Saturday. The beach cleanup, which will start from 8am, is aimed at restoring Batu Ferringhi’s status as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. It is also aimed at instilling awareness among the people to take care of beach cleanliness. Some 500 people from the various non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies are expected to take part in the programme which will cover the estimated 2km beach stretch. Go green: Chow (third from right) planting one of the trees with MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail (third from left) and other councillors at the intersection of Jalan Sungai Pinang and Jalan Jelutong The event is jointly organised by the state government, Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang) with support from the area’s Village Security and Development Committees. Chow said that the programme would be the first of many beach make-over programmes as the state government and the local council were determined to turn Batu Ferringhi into one of the top tourist destinations in the region. He later attended a tree planting session at the intersection of Jalan Sungai Pinang and Jalan Jelutong. The session was held to replace the four trees that were allegedly cut down by certain individuals who were involved in the placement of an illegal billboard at the area. Council Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong, who was present, said the trees were probably cut down as they were blocking the billboard which had since been taken down. - The Star