Penang flood death toll climbs to 7
Police have now confirmed seven people have died to date in the massive flood that covered roughly 80% of Penang. It was reported that three senior citizens drowned, a Bangladeshi man died after a tree fell onto his rented house, while post-mortem reports are yet to be out for the remaining three victims. Almost the whole of Penang was hit by floods and scores of trees were uprooted in a thunderstorm which began at 2pm on Saturday. (Malay Mail Online)

Kiara safe, Adnan to meet TTDI residents on mega-project issue
FT Minister Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Adnan has agreed to meet Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) residents to talk about the proposed mega project at Taman Rimba Kiara (TRK) after no concrete solution was arrived at during a public dialogue between the two parties. He said there was a document dated Nov 19, 2012 that stated that the land slated for the proposed development was a mixed commercial land. TTDI residents were fully supportive of the ministry’s plan to provide housing for the longhouse residents there. The proposed housing development includes plans to build eight blocks of high-end apartments between 42 and 54-storeys, while another 29-storey block comprising 350 units of affordable housing would be allocated to the TTDI longhouse residents. The development includes the construction of a six-lane highway and a flyover to accommodate the massive growth in population density from 74 to 979 people per acre. (The Star Online)

Forest City Golf Resort set to become tourist draw
The mammoth multibillion Forest City project has reached another milestone with the soft launch of its Forest City Golf Resort comprising three golf courses, a hotel and residential units including apartments and villas. The project, which is under the second phase of the Forest City development, is set to become another major tourist draw as Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV) develops the world-class gold resort with a total cost of RM1.8 billion. The landed properties are expected to be completed by 2019. (The Star Online)

The interior of Forest City Golf Resort (Photo from The Star)

Jaycorp proposes diversification into construction, property development
Furniture maker Jaycorp is proposing to diversify into the construction and property development. It anticipates the construction and property development segments may in the future contribute 25% or more of the group’s net profit. Its JV company Jaycorp Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd (JECSB) secured a contract to build a seven-storey shop-cum-office in Likas, Sabah in January this year. JECSB intends to actively bid for more construction contracts in the near future. In addition, Jaycorp owns about 396 acres of land in Bongawan, Sabah via its 60%-owned indirect subsidiary, Bongawan Solo Sdn Bhd. (The Sun Daily)

Tasco buys land owner in Port Klang for RM15.71mil
Tasco Bhd is acquiring the entire equity interest in Meriah Selalu Sdn Bhd (MSSB) for an indicative cash consideration of RM15.71 million. MSSB is principally engaged in operating a container depot and providing services of storing, handling, cleaning and repairing of containers. It also owns a 2.41ha leasehold land with a single-story site building in Port Klang, which is being used as a container depot. The property is located adjacent to an existing warehouse owned and operated by Tasco. Due to the close proximity, Tasco said it may use it to complement its existing warehousing operations and to cater for future demand. (The Sun Daily)

PHB to sell Menara Bumiputra-Commerce in KL
Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd (PHB) has decided to sell its 39-storey Menara Bumiputra-Commerce in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur for as much as RM560 million, sources say. If sold, the 10-year-old building could be the real estate investment firm-cum-property developer’s first asset sale. PHB had purchased Menara Bumiputra-Commerce for RM460 million in 2007. (The Edge Markets)

Sunsuria launches Phase 2 of Monet Residences
Property developer Sunsuria Bhd has launched the second phase of its Monet Residences development in Sunsuria City, Sepang. The residential development with GDV of RM215mil is named Monet Garden, and features 360 units of three-storey family townhouses which will be built across 7.6ha of freehold land. Residents can enjoy the exclusive clubhouse facilities including swimming pool, wading pool, gymnasium, barbeque pit, basketball court and children’s playground children and jogging track. (NST Online)

Visitors at the launch of Phase 2 of Monet Residences at Sunsuria City (Pix by Khairull Azry Bidin/NST)

Malaysia much sought after diving destination for Americans
Malaysia is a very much sought after diving destination by American divers, said Malaysia Tourism Ambassador for Diving, Clement Lee. He said constant efforts must continue to allow the people from other parts of the world to be aware of the existence of Malaysia’s diving sites. “Generally, the American market knows the happening in the Asia Pacific and Malaysia is on top of the list of diving destinations,” he added. (Malay Mail Online)

Rat scare at Loke Yew PPR
Residents of the Loke Yew PPR flats are living in fear of a possible rat infestation. Several dwellers of the 19-storey building claimed to have come across the pests even on the higher floors and are worried that the rats might contaminate the water storage tanks with their urine. Residents hope that DBKL would be able to help eradicate the pests, as gotong-royong efforts have proven to be ineffective. The housing area is occupied by over 4,000 residents. (Malay Mail Online)