Driven out of tourism jobs, many moving to real estate work
An increasing number of people retrenched from the tourism industry are switching to the real estate sector, according to Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents president Lim Boon Ping. Lim said the trend was noticed after the easing of the movement control order (MCO) in May. The tourism industry is among the hardest hit economic sectors, causing thousands to lose their jobs. It is expected to be among the last industries to recover. Lim said the demand for properties had been picking up since June and the recruitment of real estate agents had begun again. When the MCO was enforced, many property gurus predicted that the industry would crash due to the lockdown and the slowing down of the economy. “But the market is moving,” he said. “Sale and rental enquiries are being received and sale and purchase agreements are being negotiated. I won’t say it is booming, but it is slowly picking up.” (Free Malaysia Today)
Dutch Lady Malaysia to sell PJ factory land
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd (DLMI) plans to dispose its factory land at Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim in Petaling Jaya via public tender, to fund the purchase of freehold land in Bandar Baru Enstek, Negri Sembilan. An independent real estate agent has been appointed to seek offers from the open market. Based on DLMI’s annual report for 2019, the current factory land located in Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim — formerly Jalan Semangat — has a net book value of RM28.4 million. The factory buildings, office complex and warehouse are built on a 432,617 sq ft leasehold land expiring in 2059. (The Malaysian Reserve)
Perak to gazette former mining ponds as urban fisheries
The Perak state government is planning to gazette former mining ponds for fishing activities in order to fulfill the fish supply in the state. State Agriculture, Fishery, Plantation and Food Security Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamhari said the government will be introducing ‘Urban Fishing Concepts’ for the purpose, which he said will benefit selected in-land fishermen. “A total of 110 in-land fishermen…will be able to increase their catch and the project will also help increase their socioeconomic status,” he said. “There will not be any structures in the gazetted ponds. Will keep the ponds as natural as possible.” A total of 110 hectares of former mining ponds have been identified in the Kinta and Kampar district for the purpose. Abdul Yunus also said that the former mining ponds will also be developed for recreational fishing activities which will attract sport fishermen. (Malay Mail)
Penang aims to be Malaysia’s top domestic destination
As the international borders remain barred, the Penang government aims to promote the state as the top domestic tourism destination in Malaysia. State Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said Penang’s “seven world wonders” had always been a tourist attraction on par with many overseas destinations. The seven world wonders Yeoh referred to include the world’s steepest tunnel track (Penang Hill), world’s highest altitude stressed ribbon bridge (The Habitat), world’s longest water slide awarded by Guinness World Record (Escape); world’s first butterfly and insect sanctuary (Entopia); world’s first tower curved skywalk (The Top), world’s highest ropes course challenge (The Gravityz), as well as the world’s first free standing vertical drop slide (TechDome). “Due to the pandemic, we are restricted to domestic travel. However, we can turn this into an opportunity by positioning Penang as one of the country’s top domestic destinations,” he said. (Malay Mail)
Guan Eng to face new charges this Friday for misappropriation of property
Former Penang chief minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is set to face new charges this Friday. Having been charged thrice last month within a week, Lim is expected to be charged with two counts under Section 403 of the Penal Code — which covers the offence of dishonest misappropriation of property — in Penang, the prosecution said. Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the charges to be made against Lim tomorrow would be the last in connection with the undersea tunnel project. Besides the two existing cases in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur now and the upcoming charges this Friday, Lim is also facing a separate charge in the Butterworth court in Penang of having allegedly used his position as Penang chief minister then to obtain gratification of RM372,009 for his wife sometime during the 2013 to 2016 period. (Malay Mail)
