Decision on RTS Link further deferred to Oct 31
Decision on the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) has been deferred by another month to Oct 31, said the Ministry of Transport. Singapore previously agreed to suspend construction of the project until today, Sept 30, on the request of Malaysia, who wanted time to decide if it intended to proceed with the project or propose changes to it. Originally meant to be completed by end-2024, the 4km rail link that connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands in Singapore is expected to ferry up to 10,000 passengers per hour, one way. Malaysia has been hesitant about the RM4 billion project, but a termination would mean Malaysia would have to pay Singapore about S$66 million or RM200 million. (The Edge)
PR1MA renews agreements with developers worth RM3.29b
Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) has renewed partnership agreements worth RM3.29 billion with 17 development partners to reaffirm its commitment to deliver affordable quality homes to the rakyat. The renewed agreement outlines an improved business model that will enable PR1MA and the developers to more effectively deliver on the mandate to provide affordable housing for the rakyat, in line with the government’s national housing agenda. The successful completion of the identified PR1MA projects will support the government’s aspiration to provide one million affordable homes within the next 10 years. PR1MA is targeting to complete 4,082 units by end of this year. (Malay Mail)
Police to be stationed at PPR units in KL in bid to combat crime
Federal police will start stationing personnel at Public Housing Projects (PPR) in the capital. KL police chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said its officers will be placed at 15 PPR in order to help deter crime. Mazlan said the initiative is done under the “Wilayah Peduli” community programme and police officers were placed at selected PPR courtesy of the Federal Territories Ministry. “By stationing policemen at the PPR, the residents can give information on crimes to them directly. The assigned personnel are also expected to arrange crime prevention initiatives in their respective areas,” he said, stating further that the programme will start immediately. However, the tenure of the assigned personnel will be decided later based on the effectiveness of the programme. (Malay Mail)
A general view of the PPR Intan Baiduri. (Pix by Malay Mail / Hari Anggara)
China’s Vanke eyes property management in Malaysia
Chinese property manager Vanke Service, a subsidiary of real estate company China Vanke Co Ltd, is eyeing the property management business in Malaysia. Vanke Service (Hong Kong) Co Ltd managing director Log Lin, however, said it is too early to mention details of its plan for Malaysia. “Let us work on the Hong Kong market first to gain experience for the Malaysian business,“ he said. Vanke Service has set up its property management business in Hong Kong and will roll out its property management system there next year. Vanke Service focuses on six businesses, including residential property services, commercial office property services, developer services, asset-based services, building-based services and life-based services. (The Sun Daily)
Stop charging fee for loan documents, banks urged
The Bar Council said it is high time for banks to review its practice of imposing fees for loan documents. Bar Council conveyancing practice committee chairman Datuk Roger Tan said the practice was against the law and has a become a burden which consumers could do without. He said the fee was imposed on the banks’ loan documents, which borrowers sign when taking, for example, a housing loan. He said banks currently charge a fee for the ‘purchase’ of these documents ranging from RM100 to RM500, even though the cost of printing the documents is borne by the solicitors. “This results in the borrowers having to pay additional costs when taking a loan from a bank and the solicitors getting peanuts for the professional work done especially purchasers of low- and medium-cost and affordable homes,” he said. He cautioned against imposing the fees as the sale of loan documents was a breach of section 37(2) of the Legal Profession Act 1976. (NST Online)
