History made as Undi 18 Bill passed with bipartisan support
Putrajaya’s bid to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age to 18 years old has met resounding success with unanimous backing from the Opposition bloc and government backbenchers. The Bill, which also includes automatic voter registration and allowing 18 year olds to contest in elections created history as it was the first successful constitutional amendment which received support from both sides of the political divide. The Bill, which was personally tabled by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad earlier, received 211 votes, which is more than two-thirds majority of the 222-member Dewan Rakyat. (Malay Mail)
Water cut: More than 3 million to be affected between July 23 and 26
More than 758,000 accounts, or an estimated three million users, will be affected by a water supply disruption in seven districts in Selangor, as well as certain areas in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam from July 23 to 26. The disruption is to facilitate seven upgrading works at the Sungai Selangor Phase 1 Water Treatment Plant (SSP1 WTP). An emergency response plan will be activated on July 22 at 100 critical premises in these seven districts, which includes hospitals, dialysis centres and clinics. Water supply restoration period will vary – some within 12 hour, and others between 24, 36 and 48 hours – depending on the location of the affected areas. For the latest information on the water disruption, consumers are advised to refer to Air Selangor mobile application or visit their website. (The Star Online)
Bill for workers’ housing and amenities passed
The Workers’ Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Bill 2019 which aims to expand the minimum standard of housing and provision of basic facilities for workers in all sectors has been passed in Parliament. Human Resource Minister M. Kula Segaran, when tabling the bill for the second reading, said amendments to the Minimum Workers’ Standard and Housing Facilities Act 1990 were to ensure workers in all sectors of employment enjoy better housing and accommodation, basic amenities as well as better health and safety standards. He said this was also to enable Malaysia to enter into free trade agreements and avoid Malaysian companies from being subjected to trade sanctions. (Malay Mail)
REITs sector likely to have bumpy ride
The road ahead for the Malaysian real estate investment trust (REIT) sector is expected to be a bumpy one, according to AmInvestment Bank Research. The brokerage has maintained its “neutral” outlook on the sector, mainly due to the high valuations of the REITs. However, retail REITs have remained resilient. The outlook for retail properties, especially shopping malls, is expected to remain stable in the short to medium term. “We believe the high occupancy rates are also due to strong management and brand names of the REITs, in addition to shopping complexes becoming one-stop centres, providing food and beverages and entertainment options,” it stated. Year to date, the REIT Index has outperformed the benchmark FBM KLCI, increasing by 8.25% since January compared to the FBM KLCI which declined by 1.28%. There are currently 18 listed REITs on Bursa Malaysia. (The Star Online)
Gamuda Land, Maxis form partnership to deliver 5G for Gamuda Cove
Gamuda Bhd’s property arm Gamuda Land, and Maxis have formed a strategic partnership to appoint the communications and digital services company to create Malaysia’s first Maxis-delivered fifth generation cellular network technology (5G) township for Gamuda Cove, when 5G is launched in the country. The companies said the partnership will also see both parties exploring smart city and smart retailing solutions across all Gamuda Land townships in Malaysia. Gamuda Cove is Gamuda Land’s latest township development in the Southern Klang Valley along the Elite Highway with close proximity to KLIA and klia2, comprising over 20,000 residential units upon full completion. It is envisioned to be a holistic township with residential, commercial, wellness, entertainment and educational components. Previously, Maxis had collaborated with Gamuda to provide a customised MaxisOne Home fibre plan for Gamuda Land’s twentyfive.7 township in Kota Kemuning. (The Edge)
