PR1MA launches rewards programme for owners, registrants
All Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) homeowners and registrants are entitled to exclusive privileges and discounts from a wide range of participating merchants through the newly launched PR1MA HAVEN, a rewards and recognition programme. It is another initiative to help reduce the impact of escalating costs of living among middle-income households. With PR1MA HAVEN, PR1MA homeowners and registrants can enjoy exclusive privileges and discounts from selected merchants. Among the benefits offered by PR1MA’s partners and merchants are discounts on household appliances, furniture, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes, electrical appliances, beauty and health, as well as hotel and travel packages. To-date, 27 merchants have partnered with PR1MA under the rewards and recognition programme. To enjoy HAVEN benefits, users simply need to download the mobile application via App Store or Google Play and register. (The Edge Markets)
Malaysia in sweet spot as leading green finance centre
The convergence of responsible, green and Islamic finance is a sweet spot for Malaysia, said RAM Rating Services Bhd. The rating agency sees Malaysia as a leading and sustainable green finance centre based on its solid foundation of more than three decades of well-orchestrated government and regulatory initiatives. As at end-2017, Malaysia’s bond market as a proportion of gross domestic product was the third largest in Asia after Japan and South Korea. Malaysia also has the distinction of being the world’s largest sukuk market. (The Edge Markets)
Rise in average accommodation prices in Malaysia
Average accommodation prices paid in six prominent travel destinations in Malaysia have increased by 4% to 19% y-o-y in 2017, in line with a global uptrend last year. According to the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) from Hotels.com, overnight accommodation prices (including taxes and fees) Malaysian travellers paid had risen 2% globally in 2017, after three years of flat growth. Significant increases in prices paid in Malaysian ringgit were recorded in six top domestic destinations — Langkawi (19%), Sabah (12%), Petaling Jaya (8%), Kuala Lumpur (6%), Penang (5%) and Ipoh (4%). However, average accommodation prices paid by travellers in Johor experienced a sharp decrease of 10% last year — defying the national trend. (The Edge Markets)
Mida seeks more local firms for rail project
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) wants more local companies to be involved in rail projects in the country through its National Supply Chain Conference on Rail Projects. “When we talk about the rail industry, we are talking about the whole ecosystem including the coach, signalling and communication, among others. We would like to focus on local players who can support and be part of the supply chain. Mida also hopes to be able to identify the right sectors for the socio-economic development programme along the railway corridors, to assist us in undertaking a more holistic approach in promoting the economic growth sectors to potential investors,” said Mida deputy CEO II Arham Abd Rahman. (The Malaysian Reserve)
Vivocom, CREC Shanghai team up for development, construction jobs
Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd has teamed up with Shanghai Civil Engineering Group Co Ltd (CREC Shanghai) to explore opportunities in property development, mixed development, infrastructure, water treatment plant and other development projects. Vivocom’s subsidiary Vivocom Enterprise Sdn Bhd (VESB) will act as CREC Shanghai’s sole and exclusive project management consultant for all projects within Malaysia. Once a project is determined, VESB will finance the cost and outlay by way of the internal funds and/or bank borrowings. (The Edge Markets)
Renovations on Guan Eng’s house totaled RM121,131, High Court told
The total renovation costs, including labour, on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s house on Pinhorn Road came to RM121,131 in 2009, a contractor said. The renovations in earlu 2009 on the house included expanding the living room, kitchen and dining area, putting in marble flooring, building a security guard house and a car park area. Another witness, a real estate company director, said the house was valued at RM2.5 million at that time. Lim is charged with using his position as a public officer to convert agricultural land to residential purpose in 2014, as well as purchasing his house at RM2.8 million, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.27 million in 2015. (Malay Mail Online)
(Photo from PTAB)
Pak Lah receives lifetime award for developing country’s human capital
Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was conferred with the Father of Malaysia’s Human Capital Development Special Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI). The award was to recognise and honour Abdullah, or more affectionately known as ‘Pak Lah’ for his contributions and commitment in developing human capital during his tenure as prime minister, and before that, as education minister. (Malay Mail Online)
