Dr M launches National Community Policy
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday launched the National Community Policy, an approach to mould a community that is more concerned towards social issues and create a more prosperous life. Besides political stability and rapid economic growth, Malaysia’s journey towards achieving a developed nation with a modern and strong economy called for detailed and strong social elements. The National Community Policy aims to enhance the capability of the community and the approach of the government to mould and motivate the people to be aware and sensitive of the properties, space and facilities shared with the local community. According to urbanisation data issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, 75.6% of the total population gave priority to living in urban areas. (Malay Mail)

PPR tenants may use rental payments to support housing loan applications
People’s Housing Project (PPR) tenants can soon use records of their monthly rental payments as supporting documents to apply for a housing loan, said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin. The latest development followed a meeting with Bank Negara officials. “Among the issues discussed includes problems face by the people, in particular those in the lower income group for them to obtain housing loans from banks,” she said. However, the tenants have to make sure that their monthly rental payments are consistent without any hiccup for three years before they can be submitted to the banks. The monthly rental payment records can be obtained from their respective state governments. (Malay Mail)

Slow progress for RM10 billion Cyberjaya City Centre
The RM10 billion Cyberjaya City Centre (CCC), a joint development project between Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) and Cyberview Sdn Bhd, seems to be showing slow progress since the change of government. MRCB chief corporate officer Amarjit Chhina said the project could take a longer time to be completed. In October 2015, Cyberview and MRCB Land Sdn Bhd signed a JV agreement to develop the first phase of the CCC project comprising a convention centre, hotel, offices and retail lots. It was kicked off in the first half of 2016 and is expected to take seven years to complete. Phase 1 of CCC is built on 53.37 acres of land, with a GDV of RM5.35 billion. The three-phase CCC project was slated to take 15 years to complete. Despite the delays, Amarjit stressed that the CCC project is still ongoing, but MRCB’s focus now is more on its other core transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. (The Sun Daily)

Artist impression of Cyberjaya City Centre (Image from The Sun Daily)

Telekom Malaysia to dispose of two office towers adjacent to HQ
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) intends to dispose of two office towers that are adjacent to its headquarters Menara TM on Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur. According to a tender notice sighted, TM is inviting offers from interested parties to tender for 20-storey TM Annex 1 Tower and 33-storey TM Annex 2 Tower. Both properties are leasehold, with 188,122 sq ft of NLA, and TM Annex 2 having 280,650 sq ft of NLA. Generally, the value of the buildings will depend on whether it will be tenanted, amidst an oversupply of office space in the property market. The reason for the sale is unknown. (The Edge Markets)

Ecoworld to unveil Malaysia’s first robot hotel
EcoWorld Malaysia is set to introduce the country’s first robot guest registration and food delivery system in the third quarter of this year at its Eco Nest serviced apartments. The company signed a MoU with Dun-Qian Intelligent Hotel Management Co. Ltd of Taiwan on adapting the technology to such tasks. Dun-Qian is the first company to introduce a robotic system to the hotel industry in Taiwan. 50 residential units and retail lots at Eco Nest have been leased to Dun-Qian for the purpose. For the first phase of this pioneer project, two or three robots will be used for guest check-in and check-out. Customers only have to give details of the unit they have booked to the robot, and they will then be shown the unit. The robot will also deliver food that has been ordered to their unit. (The Sun Daily)