Malaysian police holidays frozen until May for GE preparations
Leave for overseas travel for all Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel has been frozen in preparation for the coming general election. The freeze, which came into effect on Wednesday, is applicable through March, April and May. Freezing of all leave, including for domestic travel, will be imposed once the date of the election is announced. However, working trips overseas, especially for Bukit Aman directors, are still permitted. (The Star Online)
New 1.5km road to ease traffic in Setia Alam
In two weeks’ time, residents from about 2,000 households in Setia Alam will have an alternative route to the main road of Persiaran Setia Alam. They will be able to use the new 1.5km road, which extends from Persiaran Setia Damai to the main road. The road is expected to open on March 10, and would ease the heavy peak-hour traffic on the bridge that connects Persiaran Setia Perdana and Persiaran Setia Prima. The new road will provide an alternative route for motorists and help divert traffic from the bridge. (The Star Online)
New landmark project in Chinatown
The landscape of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown precinct of Jalan Petaling is set to change with a new condominium development that may start this year. Singapore-listed regional property developer GSH Corp Ltd has inked an agreement with Tradewinds Corp Bhd to acquire a 50% stake in Aspirasi Kukuh Sdn Bhd, which owns about 1.4ha prime land in the Chinatown precinct. The condominium development will feature about 1,700 premium units, and is located on a 99-year leasehold site approximately 300m from the upcoming M101 Skywheel building. It will be GSH’s second residential project in Kuala Lumpur after the successful launch of Eaton Residences at Jalan Kia Peng. (NST Online)
Lower Q4 net profit for UOA Development
UOA Development Bhd’s earnings dropped 44.6% to RM191.8 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2017, mainly due to the absence of fair value adjustments in the current quarter. Revenue declined 26.4% to RM199.27 million. The group’s total new property sales for the year ended Dec 31, 2017 stood at approximately RM1.30 billion with contributions mainly from projects such as Sentul Point Suite Apartments, United Point Residence and UOA Business Park. The property developer said it will maintain its focus on developments in Greater Kuala Lumpur and continue to source for opportune development land acquisitions at strategic locations. (The Sun Daily)
UMLand signs JV deal with Singapore firm to expand into F&B
United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand) has entered into a partnership with a Singapore-based food and beverage retail company – BreadTalk Group – as the property developer looks into expanding its business ventures. There are currently eight BreadTalk and Toastbox outlets in Malaysia, and the company plans to double the amount this year, with a goal of at least 50 outlets nationwide in three to five years. UMLand has three more residential development projects in the pipeline for Johor this year. (The Star Online)
Gamuda to provide Sabah folks with community, eco-friendly living space at Inanam
Gamuda Land Bhd is keeping its maiden project in Sabah – Bukit Bantayan Residences – on the right track to provide the people here with community and nature friendly homes by 2019. Sitting on 18-acre land atop of Inanam, the highland residence features three blocks of serviced apartments overlooking the South China Sea and forested mountain surrounding the area. The 25-storey Ebena Tower is currently at about 60% complete, while the 25-storey Cemara Tower is 20-30% complete. Both Cemera and Dilenia Towers are expected to complete in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Launched in 2016, the Bukit Bantayan Residences also features 25 retail shop lots, park, and wellness facilities. It is also a earthquake-resistant structure, which is able to withstand up to 7.0 Richter magnitude scale earthquake. (NST Online)
Gas Malaysia in RM180mil JV with Perak to build pipeline
Gas Malaysia Bhd has teamed up with the Perak Government to build a 140km pipeline in the state costing RM180mil, focusing on the Kinta Valley customers. The cost of the development of the pipeline and the project as a whole is estimated to be in the region of RM180mil. Under the JV, Gas Malaysia will develop, operate and own the 140km natural gas distribution system pipeline from the take-off point located at Ayer Tawar, Perak to supply natural gas to the areas identified by the parties. (The Star Online)
Proposed higher rental for Klang hall upsets residents
Holding events at Klang’s Dewan Hamzah is going to be an expensive affair once work to refurbish the public hall is completed. MPK has recommended that the rental be raised to a whopping RM15,000 for a standard 10 hours compared to RM2,450 previously. The RM500,000 refurbishment is expected to be completed by next week and the hall will be opened to the public for rental by the end of March. Once the hall is opened, MPK planned to rent it out for weddings, social gatherings, government and private company events. Dewan Hamzah was jointly built by the Selangor Government and Klang Town Board. (The Star Online)
