首相今推介登记系统 关税村建3栋一马公寓

（槟岛西南区7日讯）一马房屋机构首席执行员拿督阿都慕达力指出，槟城首个一个大马人民房屋计划(PR1MA)将位于武吉牛汝莪关税村（Kampung Kastam）兴建3栋公寓，每栋30楼高2000个单位，至于房屋单位价格则由明日（8日）抵槟的首相拿督斯里纳吉在推介一个大马房屋登记系统仪式上公开宣布。

他说，武吉牛汝莪关税村房屋发展计划总占地20英亩，有关土地属联邦政府管辖，其中20%土地将保留作为商业用途，发展计划将在明年开始动工，预计在3年内即2016年竣工。

介于10万至40万

“一个大马房屋单位价格介于10万至40万令吉，以该城市地区的普通房价来定夺一马房价，普遍上一马房价会比市价便宜20%。”

他是于周五上午主持一个大马人民房屋媒体汇报会上，如是表示。与会者包括一个大马人民房屋机构总营运长阿敏鲁丁。- 光华

From Pedestrians Beware to Cars Beware!

WHEN we walk from one place to another in our city, it is common to see pedestrians giving way to vehicles and weaving through roads with heavy traffic. Walking has become a hazard for urbanites as a result of the city planning that gives priority to vehicles.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), 600,123 new vehicles were registered in Malaysia last year. This year, 458,447 more new vehicles hit the road as at September. To accommodate more vehicles, our roads are getting wider, highways have been extended and elevated. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our pedestrian walkways and public space which are shrinking.

The alarming growth in the number of cars in our country is unlikely to change in the near future and this phenomenon has made me ponder on whether our public space should be allocated for cars or for people. By expanding the roads, we are in fact making cars happier instead of the people.

When a city space is devoted to vehicles, the opportunity for people to meet and communicate with each other reduces. The city then becomes less interactive and a less attractive place to stay in. This undermines the sense of belonging among urbanites which contradicts the efforts to make Kuala Lumpur a world-class city.

At the 4th International Conference on World Class Sustainable Cities 2012 (WCSC) held in Kuala Lumpur recently, Dr Han Gehl, a renowned architect from Denmark, opined that caring for people in the city is the key to achieving a more lively, safe, sustainable and healthy city. In that context, creating space for people to walk, mingle, communicate and interact is essential to get urbanites engaged in city life.

For instance, the municipality of Copenhagen city has been removing driving lanes and reducing parking space by 3% a year for the past 25 years to encourage walking and cycling. As a result, the number of bicycles doubled between 1995 and 2005. In 2008, statistics showed that cycling constitutes 37% of the commutation used by working class people and students. The cycling culture is so ingrained in Denmark, even the Danish Crown Prince, Frederik is known for cycling with his kids to the daycare.

In 2007, the New Road in Brighton, England was converted from a traffic street to a pedestrian-priority street. This effort led to an increase in pedestrian traffic by 62% and the number of activities increased by 600% after the conversion.

The Copenhagen city and New Road in Brighton experiences are examples of city space being used to promote a healthy and friendly environment for the people, by the people.

On the other hand, building extra roads or expanding the same is a direct invitation to buy and drive more cars. This is pretty much similar to a situation where we will tend to buy more clothes if given a larger wardrobe. Attempts to relieve traffic pressure by building more roads and parking space will instead generate more traffic and congestion.

In addition to its negative impact on the city traffic, vehicles on the road contribute greatly to air pollution in most cities across the world. According to a recent report in The New York Times, researchers from Yale and Columbia found the air in India was the world's unhealthiest, and vehicles on the road accounted for about 25% of the air pollution in New Delhi itself.

As we embark on a lot of green initiatives to make our environment and the world a better place to live, imagine what a boost it would be to this endeavour if there were an immense reduction of vehicles on the road.

Not only can we not afford to take a toll on our environment and our health, soon we can hardly afford the ever-increasing petrol cost when fossil fuel reserves start to deplete. In fact, the RM17bil allocation for fuel subsidy by the Government this year can be trimmed tremendously and contributed to other more deserving purposes such as educational and social programme, if the usage of private vehicles is reduced.

Moreover, based on the Household Expenditure Survey 2009/10, Malaysian households spent about 9% on fuel products every month. This significant figure indicates that car usage has also dampened the country's effort in creating a high income and sustainable society.

Today, even though the car is the main and only transportation for many urbanites to reach their desired destinations, the efficiency of this transportation mode is highly questionable as more cars are joining the traffic league, let alone the environmental and social impacts brought by car invasion.

There should be measures to discourage the usage of private vehicles and make people happier, in which we could look into its possibilities in my next article.

Cities should be built for people; the greatest attraction of a city is the people. I look forward to the day when people enjoy walking on pedestrian-friendly walkways, meeting friends at outdoor cafs, participating in street festivals, and a total city transformation from a smog-filled environment to a healthy atmosphere, and from “Pedestrians Beware” to “Cars Beware”. - The Star

FIABCI Asia-Pacific regional secretariat chairman Datuk Alan Tong has over 50 years of experience in property development. He is also the group chairman of Bukit Kiara Properties. For feedback, please emailfeedback@fiabci-asiapacific.com.

New generation property buyers

THE rise of the digital age has brought many benefits to businesses and consumers alike. As the world moves at a faster technological pace, consumer behaviour is changing with regard to the steps a consumer would take prior to making a purchase.

In the case of real estate, technology has enabled real estate firms and individual agents to list their properties on the worldwide web using specific domains. Online portals such as the newly revamped Star Property portal have provided property buyers with comprehensive information to assist in the decision-making process.

Effective Measure country managing director for the Philippines Maria Java (pic) says the portal is an end-to-end solution site that comprises useful information for property buyers, sellers and agents alike.

StarProperty.my includes new features such as the “Easy Search” function, research function and optimised view. Java commends the site for its technology platform and comprehensive information, although she adds that it all comes down to the users, that is, if they have the skill to use the data that is provided.

“From the consumers' perspective, the formidable platform benefits consumers as it is both engaging and interactive,” she says after her talk at the launch of the portal.

Her talk focused on understanding the behaviour of next-generation buyers.

Effective Measure is a digital media planning solution provider to emerging markets such as Malaysia. Recent statistics from the company had shown that about 56% of the Malaysian population are “online” now.

This means that about 16 million Malaysians have access to the worldwide web. It is notable this represents a 3.32% increase month-on-month, with about 1.8 Internet devices per person.

About 65% of digital users are between the ages of 25 and 50. The statistics show that the digital reach extends further than audiences purely from Generation Y.

“This includes Generation X, who are now young parents. These are the people who are typically looking at the market for property.

“There is a need to address not only the decision-maker of each household. Malaysians make decisions as a family unit,” Java says.

Although up to 36% have access to the Internet on mobile devices, only 17% of those “online” access the web via smartphones or tablets.

As Malaysia strives towards becoming a high-income nation by the year 2020, its citizens' affluence is also on the rise. Effective Measure found that those who are “online” earn RM4,500 to RM15,000 per month. Those of certain affluence are typically well educated, hence have been more exposed to the digital world.

The average number of times Malaysians visit property sites per month is 2.8 times. “About 1.3 million Malaysians visited property-related sites in October 2012,” Java said in her talk at the launch of the revamped StarProperty.my portal at the end of November.

Real estate websites have the potential to garner more interest from netizens (Internet citizens).

Effective Measure conducted a survey on digital Malaysian consumer sentiment for the month of October. The sample size was capped at 250 responses for the survey while the demographic data is based on Effective Measure's Malaysian sample size of 87,207 for October.

The survey found that 55% owned either a residential or commercial property. Interestingly, of those who participated in the survey, only 19% were looking to buy a property in the next 12 months. Those that were not sure made up 37% of those surveyed.

“This could mean that they are still researching real estate. The StarProperty.my website provides them with the dream and aspiration,” Java says.

The remaining 44% surveyed said they were not in the market to buy any property within the next year.

Meanwhile, 42% of the participants indicated that the next property they purchase will be utilised as an investment. The other major portion making up for 46% said their next property would be to live in.

Another area Effective Measure highlighted in the survey was the type of property people were interested in purchasing. Of the total participants, 24% opted for terrace, link or townhouses.

Those who were interested in condominiums or serviced residences made up 21%, while those interested in apartments came up to 18% of those surveyed. A total of 17% showed interest in semi-detached houses or bungalows, while 12% indicated that commercial property is at the top of their list. Only 8% were interested in purchasing residential land.

With all this information, it has become easier to gauge consumer behaviour and interpret data, says Java.

“What is useful is that an ecosystem for content can be built using this data, to provide consumers with better access and value in information. This could increase the likelihood of closing a sale,” she adds - The Star

槟政府指示研究所 拟定分配房屋新机制

（槟城4日讯）槟州政府限令发展商在槟岛的每依格87单位发展密度下，打造20-40万令吉的可负担房屋，为免出现“屋不对人”现象，州政府已委托槟城研究所协助房屋部拟机制，以让这些房屋给予有资格的人士认购。

在槟岛市政局于2010年允许发展商进行每依格87单位发展密度下，即限令发展商须依从指示，打造25%屋价介于20-40万令吉的可负担得起房屋（affordable house）。然而，至今房地产商尚未接获分配该类房屋单位的指南，这使到发展商或在未有指示下将自主进行房屋交易，因此乖离该项固打房屋计划意图。

机制或明年首季出炉

不过，据本报了解，州政府已指示槟城研究所拟定分配可负担得起房屋机制，有关机制也可望在明年首季出炉。槟州房屋委员会主席黄汉伟律师受询时透露，槟州政府已委托槟州研究所拟定机制，协助槟州房屋部拟定机制，作为未来分配可负担得起房屋的指南，机制相信有望明年首季完成。

他说，州房屋部希望借此机制改进现有州房屋分配机制，首要宗旨是协助首次购屋者（first time buyer）最终能买到可负担得起房屋。- 光华

Close tab on situation

THE Housing and Local Government Ministry appreciates the views and concerns of the Federation of Malaysia Consumers Associations (Fomca) pertaining to the issues of the management of strata properties in “No monopoly in management” (The Star, Nov 4).

Kindly note that the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) had passed our bill on Strata Management and we are presently awaiting its passage in the Dewan Negara (Upper House).

Bearing in mind the proposal from the members of both the Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents (BVAEA) and Building Management Association of Malaysia (BMAM) on various issues surrounding the roles of manager of strata properties and the implications thereof, the ministry is keeping a close tab on the situation and as a measure to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, in one of the proposed regulations to the Strata Management Act 2012.

All strata property managers save and except the members of BVAEA, shall furnish their employers (i.e. COB/JMB or MC as the case may be) a banker’s guarantee or performance bond before assuming the post of strata property manager.

This shall prevent any unscrupulous managers from doing anything detrimental to the unit owners.

The ministry will also be pursuing a dialogue with BVAEA if accommodation be made to register all existing genuine managers of strata properties in the country unconditionally for purpose of registration and regulation.

If the ministry is unable to achieve an arrangement with the said board, another body may be set up under the purview of the ministry to oversee the strata property managers.

The ministry had made some studies and comparisons of the role of strata property managers in other countries where strata property living has had a long history and tradition, such as Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Britain and the United States.

I would just like to add that in most of the said countries, strata property management is not considered a specialised area and as such not limited to a specific group of professionals. - The Star

DATUK SERI CHOR CHEE HEUNG

Minister of Housing and Local Government

No monopoly in management

THE Federation of Malaysia Consumers Associations (Fomca) strongly opposes the monopoly of property management by those registered under the Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Act.

This will have a detrimental effect on consumers through higher prices and not necessarily better service quality of management.

Firstly, any house owner or joint management body or management corporation should have the authority to make the best decision for the management of the property based on the principle of the open market, that is a willing buyer and willing seller.

Any attempt to remove this right to make decisions in the best interest of their property is a serious violation of the right of consumers to choice based on their best interest.

After all it is the property holder’s money and he should have the right to make the best decision in his interest.

Secondly, Fomca has still to understand what value the valuers bring to property management that will have a positive impact on consumer protection or consumer welfare.

Property management is a management function; as such one has to show competence in management, rather than paper qualifications to validate one’s capacity to manage properties.

Thirdly, the number of valuers especially involved in property management compared to the actual number of buildings and individual households is very small leading to the highest possibility of rent seeking, whereby the registered valuers would focus on high-value buildings and properties, leaving the current systems in place for a fee.

In other words back to where we are now; the difference being certain parties will be collecting fees.

Thus, the consumers will be paying higher fees, with no increase in value for the quality of the management of their properties.

Yet, the unregulated property management in its present form cannot be allowed to go on. There appears to be no controls and standards.

Fomca fully supports the House Buyers Association for the need of greater regulation to enhance higher safety and quality standards in property management.

It fully supports the establishment of a regulatory body under the Housing Ministry, where housing and property development is placed. Either the functions of the Commissioner of Buildings need to be enhanced and strengthened or a new Regulatory Board on Property Management needs to be established.

The board should have legislative powers to regulate the property management industry, set standards for management, have investigative and enforcement powers as well as powers of prosecution to ensure compliance with the laws and standards set.

On issues of safety and other critical issues, the standards can be made mandatory, instead of merely voluntary.

Only through a strong regulatory framework supported by an open and fair market, without any anti-competitive or collusive behaviour on price fixing, can consumer protection and consumer welfare be enhanced. - The Star

DATUK PAUL SELVA RAJ
Secretary General, Fomca

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: Flamingo Series For Sale - Lowest Price (C23)

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: Flamingo Series For Sale - Lowest Price (C23)

乔治市入遗游客日增 新兴旅游业闹导游荒

（槟城1日讯）古迹、壁画、脚车、乡野、自然新兴旅游需求大，槟导游供应不足。 槟城自2008年获得联合国世界文化遗产城市地位后，国际旅游名声一路走高，来槟的各国游客数量日增，游古迹寻找人文历史的国内游客也大量增加。

近两年在脚车热潮推动下，槟城的旅游除了世界文化遗产衍生的特别文化历史路线如孙中山先生遗迹、槟城德国轨迹路线外，还多了脚车游古迹、脚车游乡野等新现象。

近期，大受游客欢迎的古迹壁画也形成了一个新的古迹区新路线，不断出现的新旅游玩法开始对导游拥有更大的需求，加上还有不同国家地区的游客对不同语文导游的需求，使到槟州一时之间出现导游荒。

槟州导游协会主席陈宝珍说，槟城的新兴旅游卖点目前仍面对导游不足的问题。不过，她乐观看待这个旅游市场的变化，因为这也说明了槟城旅游业开始进入了一个全新的阶段。- 光华

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: Desa Bistari - Move in Condition (A2)

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: Desa Bistari - Move in Condition (A2)

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: The Light Linear For Rent - Must Rent (C22)

Penang Real Estate | Penang Property | Penang Properties: The Light Linear For Rent - Must Rent (C22)