Alignment, stations for KL-Singapore HSR yet to be finalised
The alignments and station locations for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project have yet to be finalised, except for the terminus in Kuala Lumpur, which is Bandar Malaysia, said MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd. it is now working with state governments to freeze land areas for the HSR project. The process will allow technical studies to commence, including the assessment of soil condition, social impact and other technical parameters before a smaller corridor is identified. Eight stations are being planned, to be located at Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri and Jurong East in Singapore. (The Edge Markets)
Spillover KL housing demand driving up high-rise prices in Selangor
Statistics show residential property prices in Selangor have continued to rise in 2015, particularly in neighbourhoods with excellent transportation infrastructure and amenities. Buyers who have previously held back on purchasing properties in the state in anticipation of softer market conditions bringing lower prices are now left wondering if it will ever happen. The Valuation and Services Department’s (JPPH) Property Market Report 2015 indicated that prices of landed and high-rise residential properties have continued to increase. Housing in established areas with efficient road links, near to MRT stations or located near higher learning institutions have experienced capital appreciation. The report also stated that spill-over housing demand from Kuala Lumpur drove up prices of high-rise properties by more than 18%, particularly in the Gombak area, such as Wangsa Permai and Athenaeum Bukit Antarabangsa. (The Star Online)
Putrajaya to work with banks, lenders to address affordable home shortage
The government will be engaging the housing and banking industries on issues preventing new buyers from acquiring affordable homes. Availability in the housing is imbalanced, with more attention placed on higher-priced segments when majority of demand are for affordable homes under RM250,000. Fewer units were being built overall, with an average of 80,089 homes completed annually between 2011 and 2015 when the number of housings was increasing by 166,000 each year. Besides discussing with stakeholders to solve the problem, the government is also urging that lending rules be relaxed for first-time buyers. There will also be efforts to curb speculation of house prices by developers as part of the measures to tackle housing affordability. (Malay Mail Online)
Sime Darby hoping to catch a ride on HSR project
Sime Darby Bhd, which has land banks in Negri Sembilan and Johor, is looking to catch a ride on the KL-Singapore high speed rail (HSR) network. It is already in talks with MyHSR Corp – the project delivery company – about the development potential of its land surrounding the proposed stations in Labu, Seremban and Pagoh. With the infrastructure development in the vicinity of its land, Sime Darby is planning to review the current use of the land to take advantage of the opportunies presented to create maximum value for its stakeholders. Besides the benefits to its property division, the multiplier effect of greater economic activity would also bode well for the group as a whole. (The Star Online)
PPR flats
Solutions to address DBKL housing woes
Poor maintenance, security and lack of comfort will be concerns of the past as authorities initiate measures to address housing woes of the urban poor. These were just some of the issues raised by residents of public housing, and are expected to be addressed by the Federal Territories Ministry when it draws up a blueprint for the people’s housing project. A closed-door meeting was held between the ministry and DBKL officials on Monday. It was reported that the basis for a master plan will be drafted, which include measures to address the issues, figures on projected cost of per unit, maintenance and remedial works expenditure. Once completed, a formula would be drafted to allow the urban poor to own a council or public housing unit. (Malay Mail Online)
Malaysia’s permanent forest reserve maintained at 18.27mil hectares
Malaysia has maintained about 18.27 million hectares of its land area as of August this year under permanent forest reserve comprising 2.5 million trees. Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said Malaysia is firmly committed to plant at least four million trees of permanent forest reserve through the implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). The government is committed to maintain at least 50% of the country’s land area under forest and covered by trees. (Malay Mail Online)
Check out this infographic about Malaysian forests to find out why they are so important! 🙂
Men’s badminton doubles carry Malaysia’s gold hopes
Malaysia still retains hope of winning a gold medal in the Rio Olympics, as men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong take on China’s Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan in the finals tonight at 10.50 pm. Meanwhile, Malaysian superstar shuttler Lee Chong Wei will be taking on arch nemesis Lin Dan in the men’s singles semi-finals this evening. (MalaysiaKini)
