Moratorium proposed on new developments in Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas
A proposed moratorium on new developments in Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas has been sent to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, says Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh. The moratorium was sent on March 25 following complaints raised by residents who were unhappy with the traffic congestion in the area due to unplanned development and an ineffective traffic dispersal system. She said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had proposed an access road from the Malay reserve area and Sungai Penchala to the Kuala Lumpur Penchala Link, as well as upgrading works in Persiaran Dutamas and NKVE junction.“Until the traffic improves, there should not be any new development in this area,” she added. (The Star Online)
Zuraida: Ministry to set up strata management agency
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government will set up a specific agency to boost the efficiency of strata management. Its minister, Zuraida Kamarudin said, currently, almost 73% of residence in Malaysia were in the form of strata and the need for the agency was to tackle issues related to strata. “Maybe, we need to review the policy of strata home management under the Commissioner of Building (COB) and strata management… There must be a change review to create a large agency, because it has to tackle complicated issues in strata management,” she said. (Malay Mail)
Kajang-Putrajaya rail link may be revived
Plans are afoot to revive the abandoned RM400mil Putrajaya rail link with an additional extension up to the Kajang mass rapid transit (MRT) station. Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is the master developer of Putrajaya administrative capital, is looking into the rail project which has been abandoned since 2004 because of the heavy traffic to the area now. The rail link, which may potentially be Malaysia’s fourth light rail transit (LRT) line, could likely be developed at a cost of about RM2bil which includes systems work, sources said. If the rail link is revived, the source said it would complete “a circle connecting Sungai Buloh, Kajang and Putrajaya”. “It makes sense to develop the rail link, considering that the civil works and tunneling have been done but are left unused until now,” said the source. (The Star Online)
Minister: Law against racist housing practices to be tabled by year end
A new Bill to combat racial discrimination in housing is expected to undergo its first reading in Parliament by year end, housing minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said. The proposed Residential Tenancy Act is primarily aimed at protecting landlords and tenants from such practices. “It will not only curb racist practices but also ensure both get a fair deal with better protection and no manipulation,” she said. The Act will also allow the ministry to set a maximum cap of rental rates in housing areas, especially for low-cost housing projects. Media reports have claimed racial discrimination in the rental market, with landlords specify ethnicity requirements for their potential tenants. (Malay Mail)
KL homes among world’s cheapest while HK, Singapore priciest in CBRE property survey
Houses in Kuala Lumpur are among the cheapest compared to 34 other cities worldwide, according to the latest Global Living report released this week. The Malaysian capital ranked 32nd out of 35 global cities with an average property price of RM494,266 (US$119,738), according to Global Living report by real estate firm CBRE. The report which compared investment residential properties across 35 cities listed Hong Kong at the top spot with an average property price of RM5,098,864 (US$1,235,220) while neighbouring Singapore, came up second with an average property price of RM3,609,320 (US$874,372). The report pointed out that the cost of living, the prices of hotel accommodation, vacations and fine dining in Kuala Lumpur were also among the lowest in the world but the cost of cars is now among the highest. (Malay Mail)
