Haze ‘to improve next week’
Malaysians can expect a respite from the haze as the inter-monsoon wind kicks in from next week. The monsoon transition phase is expected to begin next Tuesday and it will last until the beginning of November, said a statement by the Malaysian Meteorological Department. Thunderstorms along with heavy downpours and strong winds are expected during the evening and night at the west coast and interior areas of Peninsular Malaysia, the west coast of Sabah, and central Sarawak as well as its west coast. While the rainy weather could cause flash floods and damage to weak infrastructures, the department said the haze situation is expected to improve. (The Star Online)

Jalan Gasing EPF building now permanently closed
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) building on Jalan Gasing, which was partially destroyed in a fire last year, is now permanently closed. Members and employers who need to make transactions are advised to visit its other offices in Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, Puchong, Sri Petaling or Jalan Raja Chulan. EPF said additional information on its new Petaling Jaya office would be updated on its website and social media channels soon. An EPF spokesman said hat it was aiming to open its new Petaling Jaya office by the end of the year. In February last year, a blaze destroyed about 40% of the building in Jalan Gasing, which was said to be caused by a spark caused during maintenance work. (The Star Online)

Source: The Sun Daily

Two housing schemes among points to be included in Johor Budget 2020
Two housing schemes – Skim Perumahan Prihatin Johor (SPPJ) and Skim Prihatin Belia Johor (SPBJ) – are among two initiatives which are due to be included in the Johor Budget 2020. Chairman of the state Housing, Communications and Multimedia Committee Dzulkefly Ahmad said the SPPJ is aimed at helping people in the low-income group who had difficulty getting housing loans, despite possessing the House Ownership Eligibility Certificate (SLMR). On the SPBJ, Dzulkefly said it was an initiative to provide more transit homes for youths. He said, at present, there was a limited number of transit homes and he wants to increase them. (Malay Mail)

Kampung Baru land deal: ‘Final offer to be made by PM’
The final say on the government offer for the land deal in Kampung Baru will be made by the prime minister. Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said this after his offer to buy out the landowners at the rate of RM850 per sq ft was rejected by them, adding that Dr Mahathir would reply within a month. He did not discount the possibility that he would get back to the landowners with a higher offer following recommendations by Dr Mahathir. Khalid said the landowners might be offered a little bit more, but ultimately the rates would correspond with the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) value of RM650 to RM850 psf. The land was retained as a Malay reserve by the government, despite its sky-high prospects. He urged landowners to seize the opportunity as by leaving their assets landlocked, they would not be able to capture the value of their properties. (NST Online)

Sarawak govt to table Bill to amend Strata Titles Ordinance
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said the state government will table a Bill to amend the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995 in the next session of the State Legislative Assembly. “My hope is that the ordinance will be able to streamline the issues that we are facing, especially when we have high-rise buildings and also the management of old buildings,” he said. SHEDA president Christopher Ngui said the association had suggested to the state government that it should not use the Strata Management Act (SMA) of peninsula Malaysia as a reference to draft the proposed amendments to the state strata ordinance. He said SMA has many weaknesses and shortfalls and that building policies applicable to peninsula Malaysia may not be suitable for Sarawak. (Malay Mail)