HDB model for public housing
The Housing and Local Government Ministry will look at Singapore’s Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) public housing system to revamp the fragmented local public housing system. Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the ministry is studying Singapore‘s public housing policies and exploring the idea of introducing HDB-type flats in Malaysia. Zuraida, who grew up in Singapore, said the ministry will study how the Singaporean government managed its public housing system, the challenges, and current policies. She explained that the ministry is not looking at transplanting the Singapore public housing system here, but adopting ideas that are suitable for the Malaysian housing system. In line with its public housing initiatives, the ministry is also looking at the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to lower the cost associated with providing public and social housing. (The Sun Daily)
TOD concept for RAC land development
The development of some railway land in Malaysia will be based on the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD) with focus on residential, retail or mixed projects. “TOD is the best method of development to integrate residential and retail with railway stations. This will add value to the overall development and bring convenience and value-added services to buyers and owner-occupiers,” said KTMB chief executive officer Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin. Railway Assets Corp (RAC) owns all vacant land around KTM Komuter stations that can be developed as a TOD. KTMB has been planning TOD projects in the Klang Valley with estimated GDV of RM6 billion. However, the projects will only take off early next year as KTMB seeks to resolve various issues amid the softening market. (NST Online)
Concorde Kuala Lumpur redevelopment plans on hold
An earlier proposal to demolish and redevelop the long-established Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur has been put on hold. Instead, the shareholders will invest in sprucing up the hotel. The owners do not plan to sell the hotel. Two years ago, it was reported that Concorde KL, located on Jalan Sultan Ismail, may be torn down to make way for a multibillion-ringgit project. The proposed project was said to comprise a 39-storey tower with 240 office suites, a 54-storey hotel block with 530 rooms and 205 units of serviced apartments, two 41-storey towers housing 266 serviced apartments, and a 10-storey annex podium housing the lobby, retail space and car park. The GDV of the project would amount to RM2.5 billion. (The Edge Markets)
Prasarana mulls taking over LRT3
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is considering taking over the construction of the Light Rapid Transit line 3 (LRT 3) from its project delivery partner (PDP) to curb its spiraling cost. According to sources, the government is reviewing the project as cost has ballooned from the initial estimate of RM9bil in 2015 to more than RM15bil. Construction at the site had already reached 10%, with most of the work contracts awarded. The PDP fee for the LRT 3 project, at its construction cost of RM15bil, would amount to RM900mil. Despite the award of the PDP back in 2015, the total construction cost of the project has yet to be finalised. It is believed that that design changes to the original LRT 3 plan has contributed to the project’s rising cost. For example, some of the 26 stations along the line were upgraded to accommodate new features and a bigger passenger capacity at a substantial increase in construction cost. (The Star Online)
Communal land grants in Sabah to be abolished soon
The abolition of communal land grants, as contained in the Parti Warisan Sabah’s election manifesto, will be carried out soon, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. The state government had drafted several approaches regarding the matter and would refine it to allow the people to have individual land grants. Regarding squatter settlements, the state Local Government and Housing Ministry has been directed to address the problem in an effort to ensure that every Sabahan owns a better and more comfortable home. (Malay Mail Online)
