齐来也路9亩地建中廉屋 首长：另2亩供联邦建人民组屋

（槟城30日讯）槟州首席部长林冠英周一宣布，槟州政府将在齐来也路9英亩的地段上兴建中廉价及中价房屋，以及也在同一地区另提供2英亩地段让联邦政府兴建人民组屋。他强调，槟州政府准备在齐来也路提供2英亩的地段，是要让联邦政府兴建人民组屋，因为至今为止，联邦政府从未献议在槟城兴建人民可负担房屋或人民组屋。
他解释 ，槟州政府提供2英亩的地段，是因为房屋及地方政府部长曹智雄曾表示，兴建人民组屋至少需要2英亩的地段。“我要问国阵，到底是齐来也路的11英亩地段比较好，还是再纳阿比丁路的1英亩地段比较好，如果国阵仍说1英亩地段比较好，我就放弃，让你赢！”
料明年动工2016竣工
他透露，齐来也路人民可负担房屋计划预料将于明年动工，并于2016年竣工。他续透露，在上述计划下，兴建的中廉价房屋合共660单位，每一单位售价为7万2500令吉，面积为700平方尺，每一停车位售价2万7500令吉，面积850平方尺的中价房屋合共330单位，每一单位售价29万8000令吉，面积1000平方尺的中价房屋合共330单位，每一单位售价38万令吉。他是于周三在新闻发布会上，如此指出。
我没野心当希腊总理　只想助联邦减国债
在马青总团长魏家祥昨日建议槟州首席部长林冠英到负债累累的希腊去担任总理，以改善该国的国债问题，助欧洲脱离欧债危机，林冠英“不甘示弱”，反击表示他无兴趣前往希腊当总理，只是有兴趣协助大马联邦政府减少国债。林冠英透露，这是因为至今年3月为止，大马欠债已高达4700亿令吉，与2007年年杪的2660亿令吉比较，增加多达75%。他讥讽魏家祥不是“后知后觉”，而是“无知无觉”，以及他也没有很大的“野心”要领导大马政府，例如他时常所说，没有野心要当首相，所以他也没有“野心”要当希腊的总理，领导该国家以减少该国的欠债。他强调，他只是希望以槟州政府减少高达95%的欠债作为一项“有力的证据”，即如果民联能解决槟州的欠债问题，它也可以协助减少联邦政府的欠债问题。- 光华

Penang govt sets aside land for cheap housing

GEORGE TOWN: The state government, stung by criticism over the Taman Manggis issue, has finally allocated a portion of land for a People’s Housing Project (PPR).

“We will be building 1,328 units of affordable housing on a 4.4ha plot of land with work expected to commence next year.

“The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) will implement the project and an open tender will be called soon,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at a press conference yesterday.

Lim hoped that the announcement would put the Taman Manggis issue to rest as the allocated land is much bigger than the 0.4ha site.

He also said 0.8ha (two acres) of the land had been set aside for the Federal Government’s PPR in Jalan S.P. Chelliah since Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung mentioned that PPRs need a minimum of two acres.

The state was criticised by Barisan Nasional over the sale of land in Taman Manggis at the Jalan Zainal Abidin/Lorong Selamat-Jalan Burma junction which was initially slated for a People’s Housing Project (PPR).

It was reported that a 30-storey building was proposed at the site by the Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre but it was rejected by the Penang Municipal Council as the centre was unable to secure an operating licence from the Health Ministry.

On a separate matter, Lim took a swipe at MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong for condemning the way the state government had transferred its debts to the Federal Government.

Lim said the state government had bargained with the Federal Government over the RM600mil in water supply loans, and this had resulted in a debt reduction from RM630mil in March 2008 to RM30mil in October last year.

Dr Wee had said the state had not earned the money but had pushed the debt over to the Federal Government.

“At least we drove a hard bargain to transfer the debts in the interest of Penangites,” Lim said in response. - The Star

Councillor: Build wider roads

THE state government should review guidelines to get developers to build wider roads in housing schemes for easier access, especially during emergencies.

Seberang Prai Municipal councillor Ahmad Farid Md Arshad said the present minimum requirement of a 12m-wide road in front of a house and 4.8m-wide back lane was too narrow.

He said that in many housing schemes, house owners often had more than one car, and most of the vehicles ended up parked on the road shoulder in front of their houses.

“This may prevent ambulances and fire-engines from gaining quick access to the houses,” he said after attending a full council meeting recently.

He also said local authorities should not blindly accept new housing scheme plans submitted by developers.

He said that due consideration must be given to the traffic flow in the scheme as well as the roads and drains that connect the scheme with other existing schemes in the area.

Council president Maimunah Mohd Sharif said that in some gated housing schemes, the developers tended to use more land for green areas instead of for backlanes, which is allowed,” she said.

Maimunah said the housing projects approved by the council had so far abided by all the technical requirements.

She said she would pass on the people’s concerns about the existing road guidelines to the state. - The Star

Affordability issue in buying property

AFFORDABILITY is expected to continue to be a burning issue this year and next until affordable housing gets off the ground in a big way.

The rise in property prices is one of three areas of concern highlighted by those who responded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's interactive platform “I want your views” on his blog www.1malaysia.com.my. Other areas include the rising cost of healthcare, cost of living and education. Tomorrow is the last day to air your views.

Overheard, a conversation between two property writers above the clicking of computer keys.

Thomas, a 30-something: “You know, all this talk about property prices going up is getting to me. For the longest time before 2009, prices of landed were moving at snail's pace. So they went up now, It's high time!”

Colleague: “You are only saying that because you have a double-storey in Setia Alam (in Shah Alam) and you bought it for RM200,000 when it was first launched.”

Thomas: “True. I wanted a freehold landed property. Not a condominium, not a leasehold. Those were my only criteria, and the price, of course. Much as I like to stay in Petaling Jaya or near the office, I could not afford landed freehold there. So I have to live further away.

“You have to cut your coat according to your cloth. If you want to stay near your office, near your parents, near your girlfriend, near the mall, make sure you have the money. You think I like to pay toll? I pay RM5.40 return every day.” Colleague: “But it is true, prices have moved up a lot. Look, I got this SMS on Thursday. A single-storey terraced 24 ft x 80 ft costing RM815,000 in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. Single-storey!”

Thomas: “Wah, catching up with Bandar Utama prices! And those are double-storey houses too. What to do. If people want to stay with rich people, they better make sure they are rich too. You know, people keep saying they cannot get houses for about RM300,000 in Petaling Jaya. That is not true. My friend bought an old apartment last year for less than RM300,000 in Bandar Sri Damansara. That is a Kuala Lumpur address. Just next door to PJ, and near The Curve. But he has to pay RM1.60 toll one way.”

Colleague: “But that is more than 10 years old!”

Thomas: “You say you cannot find something for RM300,000 in the Klang Valley, right? So I prove to you, I can. The trouble with most people is this, they want a new condominium. You think developers will launch units at RM300,000 something in prime PJ area now. No way! So if you want PJ, you have to buy an old unit. What is important is the location, location, location. So what it if it old?”

Colleague: “You gotta to change the plumbing and wiring. That will cost money.”

Thomas: “You mean the new pipes and eletrical wiring will cost an extra RM100,000? The problem with most people is this - they want something brand new. What's that affordable housing developer, SP something... ”

Colleague: “SPNB, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd.”

Thomas: “Yeah, that one. They build affordable housing too. Just go there and register. I am sure, 100% sure, they will have something to suit everybody's budget. Not the rich ones. They don't have anything to suit their pocket.”

Colleague: “They don't market themselves well.”

Thomas: “You see, now you want to complaint about their lack of marketing skills. You want a roof over your head and according to your budget. So go there lah.”

Colleague: “I read in yesterday's business pages that the price of cement may possibily going up next month. That will mean higher prices again.”

Thomas: “Prices of property will always go up. It is just a matter of whether they go up by leaps and bounds or go up slowly.”

Colleague: “But in Japan, US and Europe, property prices are languishing.”

Thomas: “Those are developed countries. Asia is still growing and developing. We are a young population. Those are mature economies. We are emerging markets. Developers will always take the opportunity to raise prices. Why do you think developers continue to make profits the last couple of years? They also take the opportunity to increase prices. Sure, building materials and cost of labour went up. But all this talk of price spike also encourage them to launch at higher prices.

“PKNS (Selangor State Development Corp) launched double-storeys, freehold, 20 ft x 70 ft, from RM530,000 onwards. That is just next door to Setia Alam. SP Setia also launched their double-storeys, same size, at RM688,000. I want to buy in Alam Nusantara, but all sold out.

“You can complain, but there will be many people who will still buy. Prices will still go up. So be practical, cut your coat according to your cloth.”

> Deputy news editor Thean Lee Cheng has many practical colleagues who are wiser than their years.

National Instruments largest R&D facility outside US to be set up in Penang

KUALA LUMPUR: US-based National Instruments (NI) is aiming to set up its largest research and development (R&D) facility outside the United States with the expansion of its facilities in Penang.

“Currently we are operating in a rented space. With this expansion, we will have our own infrastructure to support our business in the region,” NI Penang managing director Raj Purushothaman told a press briefing on the expansion plans of the company yesterday.

The company also aims to increase its manufacturing capacity to support an additional US$1bil in the company's growth.

Raj: ‘With this expansion, we will have our own infrastructure to support our business in the region.”

The capacity would add another 40% to its global hardware manufacturing capacity which would include the manufacturing of academic products, embedded controllers, industrial chassis and modular instruments.

Its manufacturing arm is slated to be operational in the fourth quarter.

In tandem with the planned five to 10-year expansion, the company is aiming to expand its local headcount to 1,000-1,500 employees from its current 165.

This includes 250 engineers in electrical, mechanical and engineering management fields.

The technology hardware and software provider began operations in Malaysia in 2009 with an US$80mil capital investment.

Raj said as part of the planned investment, the expansion was envisioned to transform its facilities in Penang to be the Asia-Pacific hub, serving its clients in the region and elsewhere.

“It will be an integrated operations centre, which manages R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, product distribution, product services, IT and finance,” he said.

Its expansion includes the construction of a 314,000 sq ft office and manufacturing space on a 23-acre site in Batu Maung, Penang.

Its manufacturing arm slated to be operational in the fourth quarter would have the capacity to support an additional US$1bil in the company's growth.

NI is among other American multinationals that have established its presence in Malaysia such as Honeywell, Dell, Intel, General Electric, Western Digital and Motorola.

At the event, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the United States was the third largest foreign investor in the manufacturing sector in 2011 with RM2.5bil.

The investments were mainly in electrical and electronics, chemical and chemicals products, transport equipment and wood & wood products.

“The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry continues to be a major contributor to Malaysia's gross domestic product growth . For the period January to May 2012, E&E exports were 32.27% of the total country's exports and 48.73% of the manufactured exports,” he said in his speech delivered by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin. - The Star

Desa Bistari - Dollar and Sense

Are you trying to find an affordable apartment in Penang Island? If yes, this is it.

Why?

1. Good Location - Pantai Jerjak
2. Attractive Pricing - RM1xx,000 only
3. Excellent condition
4. Nicely renovated as you can see in the below photos
5. Fully furnished - Move in condition
6. Good rental return

Fully Plaster Ceiling at Living Hall

Therefore, don't miss it. Opportunity knocks once! Pack your beg now!

What are you waiting for? Below are some of the details:-

• Plaster Ceiling, Bigger Tiles, Kitchen Cabinet, Curtains, TV & TV Cabinet, Air-conditioner, 2 Doors Fridge, Sofa, Cupboards, Fans, Bed and Mattress, Good Paint and .............
• Low maintenance fee of RM70 per month
• Freehold
• 700sf
• 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 1 balcony
• 1 covered car park
• Corner unit
• Conveniently located at Lintang Pantai Jerjak, easy access to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, near Penang Pesta and only a few minutes drive to Queensbay Mall and Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, Airport, International Schools, Hospital and ...........

Seaview from corridor

Living Hall

Dining & Kitchen Area

High & Low Quality Kitchen Cabinet

What more do you expect? Contact us now to inspect the property!


Please click here to contact us, Penang I Property. Thank you.

Call for Penang gov't to right the wrong over Sg Ara Hillslope Project

GEORGE TOWN (July 24): The Local Government Bureau of Penang Gerakan today urged the state government to right the wrong on the planning permission approval for the hillslope project in Sg Ara.
Its chairman, Teh Leong Meng, said the state government and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should take immediate action to solve the issue and relieve Sg Ara residents of what he claimed was further suffering.
The residents of Sg Ara have set a precedent by being the first to challenge the Penang government's decision in the Appeals Board hearing on July 18.
Teh said the residents suffered because they have to collect money for legal expenses to fight the case through the Appeals Board, and had to constantly worry about the legal cost in a long-drawn legal battle, as well as the safety issue. Teh told reporters today the state government should not let the residents gamble with their lives as the project is on the hill behind their homes.
"Who is going to be responsible for their safety in the long run? Can the state government or the chief minister give a guarantee that there would not be another Highland Towers tragedy?" he asked.
(The Highland Towers refers to three blocks of apartments in Hulu Klang, Selangor, one of which collapsed on Dec 11, 1993, killing 48 people.) Teh said the chief minister should exercise his powers as the chairman of the State Planning Committee (SPC) and instruct the Municipal Council of Penang Island (MPPP) to revoke and withdraw the planning permission approval given to the developer of the hillslope project in Sg Ara.
"Since the chief minister said that the state government has not approved any development on contours higher than 76 metres, that means the SPC has not approved the planning permission.
"Therefore, the approval given by the MPPP is null and void," he said. The Sg Ara hillslope project is one of 19 hillslope developments higher than 76 metres and with the slope exceeding 25 degrees that have been approved by the MPPP. — Bernama

北上大马享受汇率差异 狮城人购豪宅当富翁

新加坡22日讯）马币疲弱，加上新加坡屋价居高不下，越来越多已有房子的新加坡人，纷纷北上到大马购买公寓和洋房。
55岁的阿都尔（营运经理）3年前在新山买了一座有5个房间和一个游泳池的大洋房，他告诉记者：“在这里，我犹如百万富翁”。
他去年入伙后，随即把裕廊西的4房式组屋卖掉。
他另外花了33万元(约82万8658令吉)装修洋房及加建游泳池 - 光华

Malaysia's real estate remains a preferred investment choice

PETALING JAYA: Despite the overall gloom and doom in the global economy, a glut of condominiums and cooling measures by Bank Negara to deter speculation in the overall property market, the general observations on the ground indicate strong sales for certain segments of this market.

This underscores the fact that real estate continues to be a preferred investment choice in the current economic climate.

The latest report by Knight Frank Real estate highlights 1st half 2012said there were five completions in the first six months of this year, bringing the total cumulative supply in Kuala Lumpur to 29,882 units.

Another five developments are expected to be completed in the second half this year. This will bring the cumulative supply to 31,163 units. These numbers cover the high-end condominium market priced RM500 per sq ft and above.

These new completions, coupled with existing supply and weak occupancy rates, are expected to put further pressure on the rental market.

The report also noted that smaller sized apartments and SoHo units were becoming a mainstay in the Kuala Lumpur condominium scene and the dual-key concept was steadily gaining acceptance and popularity among developers and purchasers.

These two over-riding trends in the high-rise residential sub-segment help add product diversity, it said.

Dual-key units comprise a studio apartment unit attached to an otherwise standard condominium unit. Such units come with two separate doors with one leading to the studio unit, and the other to the adjoining unit, bonded with a common foyer.

While there were multiple SoHo developments being launched, three dual-key concept residences entered the market and all three recorded good take-up rates, the report said.

The recent increase in the number of new launches offering smaller units in established locations and popular suburbs is driven by the scarcity of land and high land costs, as well as pressure for developers to keep end-pricing affordable. Although the units are small, on a per sq ft basis, the price will be higher than the larger units.

As for pricing, in the primary market as when buyers buy directly from the developers, the high-end condominium sector saw a slight drop in average asking prices in the city while the fringe and suburban areas generally demonstrated a stable trend.

Similarly, there was a notable decline in transacted prices in the city's secondary market where buyers buy directly from owners instead of from developers. Projects located on the fringes of the city, however, saw more sales and leasing activities.

DTZ Research report for Kuala Lumpur Q2 2012: Resilience across all sectors said the overall residential market was “stable with average capital and rental values experiencing marginal increases.”

“The outlook is, however, more cautious as sentiment is clouded by both internal and external issues, including those of a political nature,” the DTZ report said, adding that the market was expected to experience a period of slower growth going forward.

In the office segment market, the market was relatively stable despite a spike in new supply.

Menara Felda will be the new corporate headquarters of Felda Land Development Authority which has just listed Felda Global Ventures Holdings in one the of biggest initial public offerings internationally for the year.

Menara Darusalam, a mixed development, will house the new Grand Hyatt Hotel. With several recently completed office buildings in the vicinity such as Menara Worldwide and Menara Prestige still filling up spaces, the new additions will add pressure on rents, DTZ report said.

Prime office rental rates remain stable and resilient at the moment, averaging RM6.23 per sq ft per month, while top tier offices are commanding about RM7.90 per sq ft per month, the report said.

“With a substantial pipeline of supply completing in the second half of this year and next year, rents are forecast to fall,” the report said.

Knight Frank said the cumulative supply of office space in the city stood at 47 million sq ft and will increase to 48.6 million sq ft with the completion of three new offices by the end of this year. The supply in the city fringes today stands at about 17.5 million sq ft. Some 4.1 million sq ft will be added to the fringes by the end of next year. - The Star

AWLU project to be built on state land

BALIK PULAU: Residents of Kampung Genting here are relieved after plans to acquire their land for the building of a women’s university were called off.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Asian Women’s Leadership University (AWLU) Project had agreed to a 40ha land in Jalan Pondok Upeh here instead.

“We had initially offered them the plot in Jalan Pondok Upeh, along with areas in Batu Kawan, but they rejected them and chose Kampung Genting,” he told Kampung Genting residents at the South-East District and Land Office here yesterday.

“We made a final appeal to them after a meeting with the residents earlier this month and fortunately, a win-win situation was reached.”

Lim said that he understood the grouses of the 90-odd landowners, who would have been affected, as much of the area represented land that had been passed down through generations.

The Pondok Upeh site consists of 40ha state land and no acquisition or dislocation of residents would be needed, he said.

Lim said that a state gazette for the acquisition of the Kampung Genting land would be allowed to lapse when it expires on Aug 5.

“AWLU is a world-renowned institution of higher learning from the United States that is famed for its liberal arts and leadership curriculum.

“Although they have been offered other sites, they have chosen Malaysia as their host country and Penang as the location for their campus.

“Their presence here will greatly benefit the future of our children and make a name not only for Penang, but the whole country,” Lim said.

He said the not-for-profit project was a Federal Government initiative that had the support of the state and was expected to bring in RM492mil in investments and create 190 high-value jobs.

According to AWLU Project’s website, the campus is scheduled to open in September 2015. - The Star