Najib: 1MDB issue to be solved by year end
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has assured Umno leaders and NGOs that he would solve the controversies surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in two to six months, during a closed door briefing at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) yesterday. Hasan Hamzah, de-facto leader of Gabungan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu, said that the issue could not be solved in a short time, and also urged Najib to meet former PM Tun Dr Mahathir to explain the matter. (The Malaysian Insider)

Sabah future development plans to include quake-proof features
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has called on property developers to include quake-proof features in their future development plans, after the 5.9 earthquake earlier this month. Property developers will need to work with experts from agencies and research institutions to ensure that residents are safe, with new earthquake resistant buildings. (Daily Express)

27,000 ‘Rumawip’ units approved by DBKL
27,000 ‘Rumah Mampu Milik Wilayah Persekutuan’ (Rumawip) affordable housing units have been approved for construction by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) since March this year. The Rumawip project involved an initiative of the private sector through land provided by the federal government, and developers were offered incentives to build affordable housing to increase population density. (Bernama)

Kota Kinabalu real estate market stagnant
The property sector in Sabah has been stagnant in the past 6 months, with few property launches and no current large-scale projects, according to Knight Frank Malayia Sabah associate director Ginn Lai. Buyers are struggling to secure loans, while others are wary over the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Shortage in low- and mid-range houses, where demand is highest, have also contributed to the problem. (The Malay Mail Online)

Hua Yang confident of projects doing well
Property developer Hua Yang Bhd remains confident that its property projects will continue doing well despite the difficult market sector, as it focuses on providing more affordable offerings. The company is optimistic that demand will increase for quality and affordable homes, catering to the middle-income and younger market segment, due to economic progress and urbanisation. Its developments in Johor are targeted at local buyers and thus less affected by the property market slowdown, said the company’s CEO. (The Edge Financial Daily, pg. 12)

Top architects and developers awarded at BCI Asia Awards 2015
Construction media group, BCI Asia held its 11th annual BCI Asia Awards 2015 ceremony on Saturday, which awarded 20 of Malaysia’s best architecture firms and property developers. Property developers who received awards include Eco World Development Group Bhd, IJM Land Bhd, IOI Properties Group Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor, Sime Darby Property Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, Sunway Bhd, Tropicana Corporation Bhd and United Malayan Land Bhd (UM Land). (The Edge Property)

20 architecture firms and property developers were awarded at the BCI Asia Awards 2015 (Photo: The Edge Property)

Negri Sembilan Bumi quota difficult to achieve
The recent changes in Negri Sembilan’s affordable housing policy, which increased the bumiputra quota from 30% to 50%, has received mixed reviews from property developers and analysts, who say that it would be difficult to achieve especially for small developments. A source remarked that while more clarity is needed on the new policy, developers would still build houses based on market demand and state regulations; however, the authorities should be flexible if bumiputra units could not be sold, as it would involve extra costs and efforts from developers. (The Star Online)

RMN deploys vessels in search of missing oil tanker
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has deployed 3 vessels in efforts to search for an oil tanker that went missing last Thursday east of Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, Johor. The oil tanker, MT Orkim Harmony, was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of RON95 petrol, with 22 crewmen on board. It was sailing from Malacca to Kuantan when it was reported missing. (Astro Awani)

The Malaysian oil tanker Orkim Harmony which was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of fuel on its way from Malacca to Kuantan. (Photo taken from The Star; Picture source: Orkim Ship Management Sdn Bhd)

Zoo animals roaming Georgian capital and 12 dead in Tbilisi flash floods
12 people have died and dozens others missing as flash floods hit Tbilisi, Georgia. Heavy rains on Saturday night caused the River Vere to overflow its banks, sweeping away cars and buildings and flooding the zoo. Lions, tigers, bears, and wolves were among the animals that escaped and were roaming the streets on Sunday. Some of the animals were shot dead, while others were captured and returned to the zoo. Three of the fatalities were zoo employees, and officials are warning people to stay indoors out of danger. (The Independent UK)