Visa: Malaysians prefer using electronic payments over cash
According to global payments technology company Visa, 74% of Malaysians are becoming less reliant on cash and prefer using electronic payment methods. It recorded an 8% increase from 2015 in electronic payments compared to cash in 2016. Its ‘2016 Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes’ survey also found that 49% of respondents had more payment cards in their wallets compared to five years ago. Reasons for not carrying large amounts of cash include habitual usage of payment cards and feeling unsafe using cash. Bank Negara Malaysia’s goal is for Malaysia to become a cashless society by 2020. (New Straits Times Online)
Rehda urges Malacca to lift blanket restriction on residential property prices
Malacca‘s Real Estate and Housing Developer’s Association (Rehda) is calling for the state government to lift its blanket restriction on residential property prices other than affordable homes. This was to allow a healthy but competitive free market for developers to be creative in constructing homes to suit the demand of buyers for both affordable homes and high-end units. The state government’s control on the selling price of houses of all types was said to have restricted the creativity and innovation of developers in meeting the niche market output. (New Straits Times Online)
MB: Big developers not required to build affordable houses
Housing developers in Negri Sembilan undertaking projects of two hectares or less are not required to build affordable houses worth RM80,000 per unit as stipulated in the Negeri Sembilan housing policy. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said under the policy, 15% of affordable houses must not exceed RM80,000, another 15% are allocated for RM250,000 and below and 20% for houses not exceeding RM400,000. The bumiputera quota is 30% and not 50%. (Astro Awani)
The entrance to the National Aquatic Centre (Photo from The Star)
First phase of Kuala Lumpur Sports City in final stages
The soon-to-be completed Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KLSC) is set to transform the landscape of Bukit Jalil. Formerly known as Bukit Jalil Sports Complex, phase one of the project is 88% complete as as preparations are in full swing for the SEA Games and Asean Para Games in August and September respectively. Phase one, encompassing 29.5ha, focused on rejuvenating the National Stadium, the Axiata Arena (previously known as Putra Indoor Stadium), the National Hockey Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre. The entire KLSC project is worth RM1.6 billion and due to be completed in 2021. Phase two, which is still in the planning stage, is expected to feature a sports university, training facilities, sports hospital, sports-oriented mall and a sports-themed hotel. (The Star Online)
More RUMAWIP units to be made available to public
More Federal Territory Affordable Housing (RUMAWIP) units will be offered to the people this year and beyond. Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan said five RUMAWIP projects had been launched this year. 70% of RUMAWIP units had been achieved from the total target of 80,000 units by 2020. The indicators used in meeting the target took into consideration projects under the categories of ‘completed’, ‘under construction’ and ‘development order approval’. The ministry also plans to launch a council home scheme for young married couples, as well as housing units for rent by single individuals working in the service industry. (Malay Mail Online)
Relocation of KL Air Base to Sendayan for better security
The relocation of Kuala Lumpur Air Base (PU KL) to Sendayan Air Base (PU Sendayan) is made over the rationalisation of operation and security, says RMAF chief Gen Datuk Seri Affendi Buang. He said the rapid development in Kuala Lumpur had resulted in unsafe flight operations due to high-rise buildings and dense population. The area is also exposed to external threats due to its visibility from the highway and surrounding housing areas. PU Sendayan which is expected to be ready by Dec 31 this year, is one of the eight relocation sites for PU KL. The relocation project is estimated to cost RM2.7 billion, and expected to be ready by year end. (Astro Awani; The Star Online)
The PUKL Sungai Besi will be the site for Bandar Malaysia (Photo from The Star)
Perak Corp mulls new port with RM58mil land purchase
Perak Corp Bhd’s subsidiary Lumut Maritime Terminal Sdn Bhd (LMT) is planning to buy four leasehold plots of land in Manjung from Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak for RM57 million. LMT intends to hold the 115.31-acre land to develop and construct another port or terminal there. It currently owns and operates the Lumut Maritime Terminal, while also operating and managing the Lekir Bulk Terminal. The land purchase is expected to be completed by the second half of 2017. (The Edge Markets)
Compulsory for low cost flats to have nurseries
The Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government will make it compulsory for low-cost flats to have nurseries, said minister Tan Sri Noh Omar. The proposal would be submitted after detailed discussion, and jointly implemented with the Department of Social Welfare through the National Blue Ocean Strategy. (Bernama)
