首长：正视全球商业流程外包要求 槟将设科技研发中心

（槟城18日讯）槟州首长林冠英透露，槟州发展机构最近已经征询计划书，以发展峇六拜沿海大道一块2.4英亩的地段作为研究与发展中心，中心名为 “槟州研究、创新与科学中心” （PRISM），协助槟州在科研及科技创新上，能与已发展国家并驾齐驱。他强调，制造业与服务业的汇合，将是槟州政府要将槟城转换成高收入、高科技及高附加价值经济的重要关键行动。
他认为，资讯科技商业流程外包中心将会加速制造业与服务业的汇合，并将槟城的服务业提高到另一个层次。“槟城作为马来西亚的硅谷，各电子业大厂将乐观其成及协助资讯科技商业流程外包在槟城的发展。”他指出，槟城原有的工业群组所组成的产业链，可以让企业有能力投身顶端的研究与发展领域。林冠英是于周三在假依恩奥酒店举行共用服务（Shared Services）与外包（Outsourcing）研讨会上，致词时如此指出。
在致词中，林冠英也说，槟城作为新兴的资讯科技商业流程外包据点，州政府非常正面看待槟城符合当今全球商业流程外包的要求，这包括：
 (1) 技术设定——槟城是马来西亚最早工业化及城市化的地方，也表示槟城是人才聚集人文荟萃的地点，能符合投资者这方面需求。(2) 成本——2011年ECA国际调查全球240座城市的生活开销，槟城排在209名，在亚洲则排在第40名。因此，相比柔佛亚洲排37名全球199名、吉隆坡亚洲33名全球186名，槟城的生活开销成本相对廉宜。(3) 拥有世界级的设施，包括优良的传播与沟通设备，也包括了数码智慧。槟城是马来西亚唯一州属在公众地方提供免费无线上网的地方。目前槟州无线上网计划已经在全槟的公众地方设有1550个免费无线上网热点。(4)  州政府采用能干、公信与透明的施政方针进行良政与廉政。以廉洁智慧作为核心价值，州政府已经透过公开招标、完全公开政府合约及公开申报政府领袖的资产，让州政府的盈余破纪录的增加，同时破纪录的减少了州政府债务。(5) 州政府已经成立职业协助与培训中心，以再培训及留住人才。职业协助及培训中心已经透过网站的设立搜寻国际人才，同时与人力资源业者进行对话及在国内外高等学府进行招揽活动。- 光华

世界不动产联盟槟分会 不认同发展商负面报导

槟城18日讯）马来西亚世界不动产联盟槟城分会对近来某些报章对槟州发展商的负面报导方式深表关注。该会认为，这些报导以所谓的“山坡发展猖獗”为题大作文章，以环保之观点为名，极尽描绘之能事，引导读者对槟州屋业发展商产生负面印象，实质上也诱导了公众进入一场“政治性责难游戏”。
这些负面描绘发展商的报导是难令人认同的，因为这些发展商是拥有合法权力去发展他们购取的土地的。阻止这些发展商去发展所购土地只意味着在妨碍马来西亚经济的成长。这类负面观点不但吓走了潜在的投资者；也让现有的投资者及发展商身陷险境。“这些居心叵测的新闻报道文章，只涉猎表象而非实际，只大量提出问题而鲜少给予答案；实际上，报章正确的报道方式应是提供可信的报道内容之外，也应公开揭示新闻背景，事情状况是为何及如何产生的，把前因后果全盘分析。你不能只报导后果，而不报道前因；你不能只去脉，而没有来龙。因果关系得报导清楚，没有4至5年的过程，就不会有今天的发展景象。”
马来西亚世界不动产联盟槟州分会深信，我国可通过可持续发展而达致进步，房屋需求及促进经济两大目标可相辅相成一齐达至。一些已发达的国际大城市如香港、新加坡及摩纳哥，虽然同样是土地匮乏，但是通过可持续发展，一样可以在经济上达至繁荣兴旺。上述这些大都会共同面临了土地短缺的难题。有鉴于此，山坡发展项目在这些大都会均获允准，条件是有关山坡发展项目是在受到地质技术工程部门管控的基础上进行。“槟州的山坡发展安全指南在2012年获得检讨，从而提供了更清楚明晰的阐释，以大力提倡山坡安全与环境友善的发展项目。这项山坡发展安全指南是发展商必须迫切严格遵守的法则，另一方面。地质技术专家也继续扮演积极角色，为山坡发展相关事务提供监控建议。目前，山坡发展项目的高度限制是海拔76公尺以上。”
须重检山坡高度限定
该会相信有关当局有必要重新检讨这项海拔76公尺的现行山坡发展计划之高度限规定。该会也相信槟岛土地短缺的问题，将对槟岛未来的世代构成更大的挑战，他们必须迎接挑战，以解决可负担房屋之需求以及持续吸引本地与外国投资者来槟以保持经济可持续成长。如果无法解决这项课题，这将会大大不利于我们这个发展中国家，而槟城这个海岛更会深受其害。由于某些媒体近日的报道混淆了公众的视听，马来西亚的屋业发展成长的未来前景因此荆棘满途，处理危险关头。总而言之，当前媒体是否只报导确实的精准资讯将是决定性的关键。媒体如果这么做，则马来西亚经济发展前景才会重现生机。- 光华

凝聚合法夜店增夜间人气 设点范围扩至古迹区

（槟城18日讯）槟岛市政局限制娱乐场所的设立范围第二期计划，将扩大至古迹区，通过凝聚合法夜店的商业活动聚集夜间人气，让夜晚的乔治市古迹区增活力。槟市局限制娱乐场所的设立范围，是为了避免它太靠近住宅区，噪音扰人清梦，也避免寻欢的民众因胡乱停放车辆，影响当地居民的出入。首期共规划出11个特定的地点，至于第二期的地点则圈定在古迹区内，并将寻求世遗机构的意见后再宣布。
槟岛市政局清洁、卫生、执照及公共教育小组交替主席王耶宗告诉《光华日报》，槟市局已于本月初将第二期规划出的古迹区娱乐场所地点提呈给世遗机构（World Heritage Inc.），目前正等待对方回复。一旦获得世遗机构的首肯，槟市局就会宣布第二阶段的地点，并批准在此区域开设娱乐场所的申请。他披露，该局建议适合设立娱乐场所的古迹区地点，包括土库街、海墘新路及莱特街等。他以土库街为例，白天的土库街都是银行与金融业聚集的场域，惟夜幕低垂，白天的繁忙开始变得冷清。若通过酒吧夜店的商业活动，相信将可把古迹区打造成时尚动感娱乐区，带动人气。“建议中的地点并非住宅区，都是商业单位聚集的街道，白天繁忙晚上寂静，若在此区域设立娱乐场所，其噪音不会影响他人，停放车辆也不会造成交通阻塞问题。
他也表示，槟市局日前通过限制娱乐场所开设的11个地点，将在近期内上传至市政局官方网站及在该局执照部的布告栏上发布。换言之，现欲申请开设娱乐场所的业者，都须遵循这项新条文。不过，现有的娱乐场所并不在限制内。“上述建议于上月杪槟市局例常会议上通过后，负责官员就开始着手准备实行的事宜，并已将相关资料送往该局资讯工艺部，料在近期内上传至官网及发布在执照部的布告栏处。”
王耶宗：娱乐场所集中化　方便有关单位监管
王耶宗表示，槟岛市政局在槟岛规划“娱乐场所区域”，不仅可限制娱乐场所的设立地点，集中化后更方便有关单位进行监管。他说，市局执法人员、警方及移民厅（若涉及外籍员工）将对非法经营的娱乐场所采取取缔行动。市局可开出250令吉传票对付违例营业的业者，并充公娱乐器材及物品并不得赎回。他重申，现有的娱乐场所不受限制，但7月1日之后的申请就不获批准。申请者必须遵守新条文规定，仅允许在槟市局规划的11个地点开设娱乐场所。不过，那些在7月1日之前提呈的申请，如已通过市局技术部审核，则将获批准。“现有的娱乐场所，我们（槟市局）不会强制他们搬迁或关闭，只是数量将不再被允许增加。若业者欲休业，不得把娱乐场所顶替给其他方作继续经营。” -

Green plans for landfill

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has made plans to turn the Jelutong landfill into parks and a site for mixed development projects.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the plans would be carried out through a proposed landfill mining and reclamation (LFMR) process.

He said the LFMR process is a proposed recovery and reutilisation project for the landfill.

“The state government has decided to give the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) the responsibility to carry out the project.

“In a meeting last week chaired by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the state government asked PDC to appoint a consultant to set the specifications and criteria for the LFMR process within three months.

“After the specifications and criteria have been set, PDC will call for an open tender or Request for Proposal to invite local and international experts with experience in LFMR to submit their proposal to make the Jelutong landfill reusable for better land-use again.

“We will leave it to the experts to use their expertise to turn it into parks and a site for mixed development projects.

“We will also leave it to them to come up with their own operations on how to recover and reuse the waste materials and to treat and rehabilitate the landfill.

Estimating that the site recovery would take about five to 10 years, Chow said the move would also help to solve some of the existing problems concerning the landfill such as the removal of the potential peat fire threats as well as reducing the production of methane and carbon footprint.

“The possibility of toxic contamination of underground water sources can also be reduced. In addition, LFMR would also increase the land value of the Jelutong site and the social grievances of neighbouring residents will be resolved.

“For the state, this is another one of our green projects to improve the environment for the future generation,” he said. - The Star

Penang govt urged to cancel hillslope projects

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government should cancel controversial hillslope projects, even if it will incur losses, Penang Gerakan local government bureau head Teh Leong Meng said.

Teh said the state government should do what was best for the people.

Asked if the state should go to court to cancel upcoming hillslope projects even if it may result in massive losses to the state, Teh said: “Correct, because you have to comply with the law and do the right thing.”

Teh, however, claimed that it was unlikely that the state would need to fork out any compensation to developers if the matter was brought to court.

He said even though approvals for certain hillslope projects may have been obtained years ago, a new legislature in the form of the Penang Structure Plan came into force in June 2007.

“This structure plan was gazetted on June 28, 2007 and supersedes all other guidelines.

“It clearly says that high-risk slopes, which include land above 76m or have a slope gradient of over 25 degrees should not be used for housing,” Teh said.

He claimed that the law was not bound by retrospective legislation and since a number of the hillslope projects had yet to begin construction, the state could now reject renewals for building permission based on the new legislature.

Questioned about hillslope projects that had been approved by the previous Gerakan-led state government after the Penang Structure Plan had been enforced, Teh said he could not comment as he did not have the full facts.

Asked about Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s challenge to provide a letter of indemnity to cover any possible compensation costs, Teh said there would be no element of risk should other parties pledge to cover any losses. - The Star

Property buyers to be screened by estate agents

PETALING JAYA: Potential property buyers are to be screened before meeting estate agents in a precautionary move by the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA).

This follows several recent cases of attacks against agents by so-called buyers.

MIEA deputy president Siva Shanker said it had no choice but to implement the steps although it would involve more work for agents and clients.

“Agents have been told to screen potential buyers and record as much information as possible like vehicle licence plate numbers before setting up appointments.

“We have also informed agents to always meet them outside the premises first before viewing and be in constant communication with their offices,” he said, adding that the institute had also come up with a set of tips for agents.

“We have informed members to verify their customers, always work in pairs, not to set viewing appointments at night and register themselves at the property's guardhouse.

“We have also told them to carry pepper spray for self-defence.

“Five cases in two months is too much,” he said, adding that the institute was convinced that the robberies involving estate agents were premeditated. - The Star

郑雨周向市政局表明难以接受 反对海边地建超高楼

（槟城16日讯）超级高楼公寓发展计划引争议！槟岛北岸峇都丁宜海边地，拟议建一栋发展总值上亿令吉计的49层楼超高楼公寓，然而计划遭当地州议员“阻拦”，反对筑起这栋丹绒武雅选区最高的建筑楼。在山坡发展引起争议，酿发朝野互相指责之际，在丹绒武雅这个旅游地带，同时出现高密度发展计划争议，该计划被指也是峇都丁宜海岸线度假地的最后一块海边私人地；有关计划的高度被指超“破格”，一旦完工将成为北岸第一高楼，相信也是槟岛数一数二的超级高楼。
丹绒武雅区州议员郑雨周受询时表示，这项计划是在峇都丁宜海湾酒店毗邻的一片黄金地，该地也是峇都丁宜最后一块海边私人地。他在上月接获槟岛市政局城乡规划局告知，地主拟议提高容积率（Plot Ratio），在该海边地打造49层楼高建筑，而他也已针对此事向市政局表明其反对立场。
他表示，目前在其选区，分别在丹绒武雅及峇都丁宜个别有一项海边地计划拟议开动，而在峇都丁宜上述49楼高楼计划却是在新近提呈，而他已回函市政局提出反对。他说，由于丹绒武雅至峇都丁宜为槟城旅游地带，也是山坡生态敏感区，再加上该海边地也在传统上面对高楼限制，所以他反对允高楼在海边上矗立。
他说，前朝政府执政时已允许当地一些破格先例发展，造成开始出现高楼情况，包括沙洋酒店的新建筑也爬高至9层楼，而“By The Sea”高级公寓计划也爬高至最高11层，可是他难以接受49层楼高的公寓拔地而起矗立在海边。他提及，除了上述传统对海边沙滩地拟定的高度限制，目前其选区也面对“次要发展走廊”争议悬而未决，所以他要求暂时冻结任何与该争议有关的高密度发展计划。此外，他也表示反对另一项座落在丹绒武雅海边的33层高楼计划，目前他尚在等候市政局告知下文。- 光华

Residents unhappy over hillslope projects

GEORGE TOWN: Residents living around a hillside construction site in Sungai Ara here are unhappy over the project.

More than 30 representatives from four resident associations of SunriseGarden, Regency Heights and Raintree Garden A and B gathered to voice their grievances and concerns over the project.

State Gerakan local government bureau head Teh Leong Meng who met the residents, claimed that the developer was building two clubhouses and 14 blocks of apartments on a piece of land measuring about 32.7ha.

“The apartment blocks are between 10- and 21-storeys high. The project approved in February this year is above 76m. There will also be 92 bungalows.

Grave harm: A bald ugly spot in Bukit Gambier where a high-rise condominium project is set to emerge.

“The residents are unhappy that the project was allowed to proceed and want the state government to stop it,” he said yesterday.

He said the residents' primary concern was the issue on safety.

“Once the project is completed, the green lungs in the area will also be destroyed,” he claimed.

After visiting the group, Teh met up with another group of 15 residents from the Bukit Gambier area who also protested against a hillslope project there.

He claimed that the developer was building a 38-storey condominium along with seven bungalows.

“This project on 3.57ha of land is also above 76m and there will also be immense hill-cutting activities here,” he claimed.

He said the residents were against the project and were worried there would be flash floods or landslides.

“Even though the developer can claim they have taken slope protection measures, who can guarantee total safety?” he asked. - The Star

Our cars are costing us our homes

WHEN I first started my job as an architect in the 1960s, I was on a three-year contract with a monthly salary of RM628. I bought my first car, a Peugeot which cost RM7,724, equivalent to approximately one year of my salary. The car became my reliable companion for 14 years. Those were the good old days, when a car could be bought with just one year of a fresh graduate's salary.

Circumstances have since changed. Today, for a fresh graduate to own a car in Malaysia, it will easily cost him four years of his salary to purchase a foreign car, and even a local car costs around two years of his salary. If we take into consideration his living expenses and other commitments, it may take him even longer to settle his car loan. Hence, it has left him with very little option but to take the maximum car loan financing tenure of nine years.

In the table illustration below, a fresh graduate in the Washington D.C. earning about RM11,000 (about US$3,500) per month can easily buy a Japanese Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla worth RM50,000 as it is only 0.4 times of his yearly salary.

On the other hand, a fresh graduate in Malaysia earning about RM2,500 per month needs to pay RM120,000 if he would like to buy the same type of car. It costs him four times his gross yearly salary. This ratio is 10 times higher than his US counterpart.

For youths in Malaysia, buying a car is more expensive both in real terms, and in terms of debt-to-income ratio. In reality, it means they have to either purchase a car with lower price tag or commit to a longer term loan to own a car, which cost them the opportunity of owning a home.

This situation requires our youth to choose between buying a car or a house first, and many have committed to own a car first, considering our public transportation system is still in the process of being improved.

Many fresh graduates in Malaysia who start to serve their car loan tend to delay their plan of purchasing a home.

Unfortunately by the time they can afford to purchase a home, be it three, five or nine years later, the price of a property would have escalated due to among other things, inflation, higher construction cost and higher land prices.

While it may be safe to say that their salary would also increase, generally speaking the increment may not aligned to the rate of inflation. In most cases, owning a home will be a huge debt lasting 30 to 40 years of housing loan repayment.

What can be done differently to change the circumstances? Is there a better way for them to financially plan their future? These are questions that Malaysian youths ought to consider before purchasing any big-ticket items.

Let's look at the table again. It also lists the median price for three-bedroom apartments in the suburbs of these cities. The median price of an apartment in the Klang Valley is around RM300,000, equivalent to 10-year gross income of our fresh graduates. The affordability level is more favourable compared to other Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Thailand. The prices of same size apartments in Jakarta and Bangkok range from RM350,000 to RM400,000, and costing their fresh graduates 13 to 18 years of gross yearly income to purchase a house.

Therefore, when it comes to the question of home affordability in Malaysia, we are blessed compared to our regional peers.

However, there are many factors that contribute to the challenge for our youths to own a house. Two primary factors are the additional financial commitment of purchasing a car, and the relatively lower income level in our country compared to our Western counterparts.

When fresh graduates spend a substantial amount of their salary paying for a car, they are left with little savings to own a house, and their house affordability level decreases over the years as prices rise due to inflation.

Clearly the income level of our graduates has to rise, to enable better quality of living and higher affordability level, which is the current government's focus to make Malaysia a high income nation by 2020.

Perhaps it is also time to re-look at our national car policy and how it has affected the house affordability level in Malaysia. From the numbers above, it is clear that our cars are costing us our homes. - The Star

> FIABCI Asia Pacific chairman Datuk Alan Tong has over 50 years of experience in property development. He was FIABCI World president in 2005/06 and was named Property Man of The Year 2010. He is also the group chairman of Bukit Kiara Properties. (email atfeedback@bukitkiara.com)

RM6.5b projects planned in Penang

KUALA Lumpur and Penang-based developers are planning to execute some RM6.463bil worth of residential and commercial properties on the island and mainland in the second half year and 2013 despite the tightening of housing credit by banks and a gloomy global economic outlook for the future.

SP Setia Bhd (RM2.563bil GDV), IJM Land Bhd (RM608mil GDV), Mah Sing Group Bhd (RM180mil), Sunway Bhd (RM385mil GDV), Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd (RM1.1bil GDV), and Ivory Properties Group Bhd (RM1.6bil GDV) are among the developers with plans for new housing projects in Penang.

The developers are displaying some of these projects at The Star Property Fair 2012 held at the Gurney Plaza and G Hotel from July 12-15. About RM6.105bil of projects are located on the island, with the remaining RM358mil planned for Seberang Prai, to be undertaken by Sunway and IJM Land in the second half year and 2013.

As land is still available in the South-West district, the area which covers residential cum commercial neighbourhoods such as Sungai Ara, Batu Maung, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong and Teluk Kumbar continues to be popular locations for developers such as SP Setia, Sunway, IJM Land, and Ideal Property to launch their projects.

With the exception of Sunway Cassia and IJM's Trehaus landed property schemes project in Batu Maung and Bukit Jambul, all the other properties planned for the island comprise high-rise projects.

Visitor Chan Lai Ming (left) listening to Hong Leong Bank personal financial consultant Yeoh Wei Kheng (centre) and SP Setia property division (North) sales and marketing senior executive Agnes Chua explaining details of their projects.

Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Penangchairman Datuk Jerry Chan says the trend of development on the island will be towards high-rise developments due to rising land cost.

“A few years back, developers could still build landed properties because they could be priced attractively.

“Nowadays with land cost escalating by about 20% from last year, developers will have to price a semi-detached house from RM900 per sq ft onwards in a prime area like Pulau Tikus as the cost for net land plot is RM500 to RM600 per sq ft.

“If the semi-detached unit has a built-up of 6,000 sq ft, the selling price will be RM5.4mil.

“How many people would fork out RM5.4mil for a semi-detached home?” he asks.

The cost of a plot of net land in a prime area like Pulau Tikus is between RM500 and RM600 per sq ft. In Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, land is priced between RM300 and RM400 per sq ft, while in the South-West district it is between RM100 and RM200 per sq ft.

Chan says there is still demand on the island for landed properties priced below RM2mil and condominiums priced below RM1mil.

”This is the reason developers are still carrying out their plans to launch projects despite the stricter policies on housing loans and concerns over the upcoming general election.

“The state's economic status is still sound,” Chan says.

Penang Master Builders' and Building Materials Dealers Association executive advisor Datuk Finn Choong says developers are launching projects also because of stability in raw material prices.

“By launching their projects now, developers can lock on to the present prices of construction materials for their projects.”

This means developers can price their properties within the RM400,000 and RM500,000 range

IJM Land senior manager (sales and marketing) Patsy Lee (right) detailing one of the company’s projects to Ivan Oh Eng Lim and Tan Gek Im at The Star Property Fair 2012 in Gurney Plaza.

Affordable range

“A number of the projects planned for launching in the South-West district this year and next year are priced within this affordable range,” he says.

As demand for construction materials for the residential sector has softened over the past 12 months, the pricing of cement, for example, has also not gone above RM15 per 50 kg bag since late last year.

At the peak two years ago, the pricing of cement was above RM18 per 50kg bag.

Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) director Dr Teoh Poh Huat says the Penang property market sentiment is still positive.

”High net-worth Penangites living overseas still have confidence in the local property market. Thus, the property values look set to grow, particularly for those properties which are well designed, in good locations, and underpinned by a reputable developer,” he says.

Meanwhile, Henry Butcher Seberang Prai senior manager Fook Tone Huat says the price for properties in Central Seberang Prai has appreciated by about 20% since 2010.

“In prime locations of Seberang Prai, a semi-detached house is now priced about RM750,000, compared with about RM600,000.

“A terraced house in a similar location is now priced about RM350,000 compared with about RM280,000 two years ago.

”Similarly, a bungalow in a Seberang Prai prime location is now about RM1mil, about 20% more than two years ago,” he says.

The value of commercial properties in Seberang Prai has also appreciated by about 20% compared to 2010, Fook adds.

”A three-story shoplot in BM Business Park is now priced around RM700,000.

”The value of properties in Seberang Prai is now on the rise because more people are investing in properties on the mainland as the second bridge is scheduled to be completed soon and more funds are coming into the industrial park of South Seberang Prai,” he says.

From SP Setia, there are RM1.288bil worth of properties to be undertaken for the South-West district in the second half and in 2013, while the remaining RM1.275bil of projects are planned for Tanjung Bungah and Sungai Nibong in the North-East district.

These projects include the RM250mil Setia Triangle launched in June, a commercial cum residential scheme in Sungai Ara, the RM335mil Setia Greens 2 in Sungai Ara and a RM53mil condominium project in Teluk Kumbar which will be launched end of 2012 and in early 2013 respectively.

Wave and Breeze

In 2013, SP Setia plans to launch the Wave and Breeze condominium projects for Setia Pearl Island in Sungai Ara, with a GDV of RM350mil and RM300mil respectively, and a RM175mil condominium project in Sungai Nibong.

In the North-East district of the island, SP Setia's plan is to launch a RM1.1bil mixed-development project in Tanjung Bungah.

“Land on the island is becoming scarce. Since SP Setia wants to continue playing a dominant role in the property market on the island, it is seizing every opportunity to expand its land bank, capitalising on attractive deals,” SP Setia Property (North) general manager Datuk S. Rajoo says.

Penang-based Ideal Property Sdn Bhd has lined up residential and commercial projects with a collective GDV of RM1.1bil for the South-West district from now till the second quarter 2013.

The group plans to launch in August the RM400mil Imperial One project in Sungai Ara on a 9.1-acre site, comprising 768 units of condominiums with built-up areas of 1,050 sq ft and 1,250sq ft priced between RM399,000 and RM499,000 per unit.

The RM400mil Imperial Two, which is waiting for approval and likely to be launched in the second quarter of 2013, comprises properties to be priced between RM400,000 and RM550,000.

Early next year, Ideal plans to launch the first phase of the Ideal Vision Park, a RM1.5bil mixed-development scheme comprising 1,945 units of residential and commercial properties and 550,000sq ft of commercial space.

The first phase comprises RM300mil worth of high-rise residential and commercial properties, which will be priced between RM400,000 and RM600,000. There are four more phases for Ideal Vision Park that will be launched in stages in 2014 and 2015.

Ideal Property managing director Datuk Alex Ooi said the stability of construction material prices allowed developers to build more affordably priced properties that had a wider appeal.

”This is why we are able to focus on building properties priced between the RM400,000 and RM600,000 range,” Ooi adds.

Sunway is undertaking the RM200mil Sunway Cassia project in Batu Maung in November, which comprise 59 units of three-story terraced homes.

IJM Land plans to launch in late 2012 the RM85mil Trehaus scheme, comprising 26 semi-detached properties and 46 villa condominiums, in Bukit Jambul.

In the North-East district, its projects comprise the RM350mil Light Collection III, comprising 190 condominiums and duplex townhouses next to the Penang Bridge on the island. Ivory Properties Group Bhd (IPGB) plans to launch in the second half of 2012 approximately RM1.6bil worth properties on the island.

These projects comprised the first phase of Bayan Mutiara, which has a GDV of about RM800mil, the third and fourth phases of the residential towers for Penang Times Square, which has a RM300mil GDV, a RM130mil sea-fronting condominium block in Batu Ferringhi, and the RM400mil City Mall and City Residence project in Tanjung Tokong.

Elsewhere, Mah Sing plans to launch RM180mil worth of low-rise condominiums in the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt later this year.

Group chief operating officer Teh Heng Chong says Mah Sing will focus on residential properties priced below RM1mil in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor.

At present, about 70% of our launches are in this price segment, which comprises mainly small serviced residences and linked homes.

In Seberang Prai, the projects planned include the RM185mil Sunway Wellesley by Sunway, comprising residential and commercial properties, and the RM173mil Permatang Sanctuary scheme, comprising 300 semi-detached and bungalow properties.

The Permatang Sanctuary semi-detached properties are priced from RM438,000 onwards, while the bungalows from RM625,000 onwards. - The Star