32 infected by KL typhoid outbreak, says Health Ministry
32 cases of typhoid fever in the Kuala Lumpur area have been reported as of Sunday, seven of which were reported in the first week of August. The initial seven cases were said to be construction workers staying in Cheras and working near downtown Kuala Lumpur, and two more people who came into contact with them were also affected. Since then, more cases have been reported in government and private hospitals in the city. Tests have been carried out to find the source of the outbreak, but no specific cause has been detected so far. Typhoid fever can be contracted through consumption of contaminated food or water, and the symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, headache and fatigue. (The Malaysian Insider)
WCT bags TRX job, buys TRX land
WCT Holdings Bhd was awarded a RM754.8 million contract by 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd (1MDBRE) to build infrastructure and roadway works for the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). The construction group’s indirect wholly-owned unit WCT Precious Development Sdn Bhd also entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with 1MDBRE’s wholly-owned unit KLIFD Sdn Bhd to buy a 0.7ha freehold development land, forming part of the TRX, for RM223 million. WCT Holdings plans to build a tower block of high-end serviced apartments with retail components with an estimated GDV of RM1.1 billion. (The Edge Markets)
Cycleways for affordable housing projects in Penang
Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon has suggested building cycleways in affordable housing developments as part of the government’s efforts for a cleaner, greener, sustainable state. Penang is already developing a cycleway around the island, but after his five-day visit to Perth last week, he is aiming to see more such projects in housing developments in the state. Besides the success of environmentally-friendly housing schemes in Perth, he was also impressed with Western Australia’s heritage laws. Rasyid himself cycles 20km from Queensbay to Komtar every Friday morning. (The Malaysian Insider)
Guocoland sells Sepang land for RM474mil
Guocoland (M) Bhd’s associate company Vintage Heights Sdn Bhd (VHSB) is disposing a parcel of land in Sepang for RM474.99 million. VHSB had entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Putrajaya Properties Sdn Bhd and Hap Send Consolidated Bhd to dispose of the 73 million sq ft parcel. Upon completion of the deal, VHSB is expected to realise net gain of approximately RM290 million, with RM116 million attributable to Guocoland. The proceeds will be used for VHSB’s working capital, repayment of borrowings and/or distributions to shareholders. The disposal is expected to be completed in 2H of 2016. (The Star Online)
D Mall and D Hotel in Perak attract over RM110mil bids
D Mall and D Hotel, a two-year-old mall-cum-hotel in Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak has caught the attention of investors, including a listed real estate investment trust (REIT), sources said. Setia Awan Properties Sdn Bhd, the owner of the properties, is believed to have received offers of between RM110 million and RM130 million for both assets. Setia Awan Properties is linked to Setia Awan Holdings Sdn Bhd, an established property developer from Sitiawan, Perak, which has projects across Sitiawan, Senawang and Bandar Seri Iskandar with a combined GDV of RM1 billion. Sources said that Hektar REIT may be eyeing the mall and hotel, although it did not confirm nor deny the claims when contacted. (The Edge Markets)
Eastspring buys property stocks at cheapest level in 7 years
Eastspring Investments Bhd, Malaysia’s top-performing fund, is buying up property companies after a slump in shares left valuations at their cheapest level in at least seven years, relative to global peers. It has started “nibbling” on some of the stocks that have been beaten down, as it expects the real estate industry to eventually recover, said the fund’s KL-based CEO in an interview. However, he declined to identify the companies bought. (The Star Online)
Honda Malaysia to raise prices by 2-3% next year
Following UMW Toyota’s announcement that it would increase prices between 4% and 16% next year depending on models, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd is also expecting a 2% – 3% increase in selling prices for Honda vehicles starting next January due to the weak ringgit. In a statement yesterday, the company said that it would continue to monitor the exchange rate situation and decide on the price in December this year. The company explained that the drastic depreciation of the ringgit will cause, although not with immediate effect, a significant increase to the cost of imported parts and components, which are vulnerable to volatility in currency.(The Star Online)
Experts say haze may last until January
The Indonesian forest fires that have caused severe haze in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries is spreading to new areas and are unlikely to be put out until next year, said experts. The “hot spots” growing in eastern parts of the country has led industry officials and analysts to estimate the smoke to last until early 2016. October and November is usually the wet season in Indonesia, but dry conditions from El Nino could extend until December and hinder efforts to control the fires. Hot spots have been detected even in Papua, a region that usually escapes widespread fires. (The Malay Mail Online)