CMCO extended to May 17, interstate travel still banned
Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced that the lockdown measures across the country remains and interstate travel is still banned. All 10 districts in Kelantan are under Movement Control Order (MCO). Meanwhile, six states under the CMCO are Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Sarawak, and Sabah. The MCO, CMCO, RMCO as above take effect from 29 April to 17 May 2021, except for Sarawak which takes place from 27 April to 15 May 2021. As for the SOP for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations (14 & 15 May), the National Security Council (MKN) is still working out the details, though Ismail Sabri assures that it will be announced soon. He also denied claims that the government will be enforcing an interdistrict travel ban five-days prior and after the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration. (The Rakyat Post)
KL among top 10 ‘least stressful cities’ in the world
Kuala Lumpur has emerged as one of the least stressful cities in the world for travellers to visit, according to a new study. The Malaysian capital city came in at 10th place and is favourably ranked in terms of friendliness and cost of food. The Least Stressful Cities To Visit Worldwide 2021 survey, conducted by Love2Laundry, assessed various metrics to come up with the ranking. These include friendliness, transport, quality of spas, availability of nature and parks, average cost of a meal, average sunlight hours, air pollution index and population density. KL was ranked favourably for its citizens and the average cost of a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant. In terms of friendliness, KL came in second place and is surpassed only by Vancouver, Canada. The capital also came in at second place for cost of meals, behind Jaipur, India. The average cost of a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant in KL is about £14.90 (RM84.90). (The Star)
Statistics Dept seeks public cooperation to participate in Census 2020
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has requested all parties to fully cooperate in completing the Population and Housing Census 2020 (Census 2020), which ends on June 30. Deputy Chief Statistician (Economic Programme) Datin Seri Rozita Talha said that, so far, only 16.6 million or 50.9% of the estimated 32.7 million Malaysians have completed the census. The Census 2020 period was supposed to be completed last July but was extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The data collected will be used for planning each place, district and state as well as formulation of policies,” she said. Rozita, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Census 2020, said that, to date, 10,000 enumerators had been mobilised nationwide to complete the census process, which is held every 10 years. (Malay Mail)
Naza TTDI establishes RM300m Sukuk Murabahah programme to accelerate KL Metropolis development
Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd has established a Sukuk Murabahah programme of up to RM300 million in nominal value via its wholly-owned subsidiary Naza TTDI Capital Bhd, which will be issued over the next 15 years. It said the sukuk will be backed by properties owned by Naza TTDI located in KL Metropolis, with the proceeds to be used for the development of KL Metropolis and other general corporate purposes. “The sukuk programme also allows Naza TTDI to diversify its financing via the capital markets for other upcoming developments in Platinum Park, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Alam Impian, Cheras and Penang,” said Naza TTDI CEO Daniel Lim Hin Soon. He added that the recent announcement of the revival of the MRT3 project could also bode well for the company, as a station has been proposed to be situated within KL Metropolis. The RM21 billion gross development value KL Metropolis township, launched in October 2011, spans 75.5 acres with the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) at its centre. (The Edge)
Failure to address housing woes will lead to social problems
Drastic measures must be taken to address the housing woes of Malaysians in the lower income group, especially those who live in urban centres such as the Klang Valley. According to housing experts, any deterioration in the situation would precipitate circumstances leading to social problems. It is already getting impossible for some in the middle class to own a home in the city, much less those in the lower M40 and B40 groups, they pointed out. Yeow Thit Sang, former president of the Malaysian chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, said the price of houses have risen beyond the earning capacity of the average wage earner. “The phrase ‘the poor gets poorer’ is so true. It will only get more difficult to buy a house in future if you are a wage earner,” he said. Continuously giving cash aid is not the answer, he added. Sulaiman pointed out that there is a disparity between the median household income and the average price of a house. Another factor to consider is the ability of the potential buyer to get a bank loan. National Housebuyers Association secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong said the answer is for the government to encourage developers to build more affordable homes by giving them incentives and lowered corporate taxes. “The government should also take the lead in promoting a larger rent-to-own schemes, traditionally meant for the lower income groups, to meet the needs of the M40 group,” he said. (The Sun Daily)
CFM to sell Setapak land to FCW Holdings for RM91mil
Computer Forms (Malaysia) Bhd (CFM) has proposed to sell four parcels of land in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur to FCW Holdings Bhd for a total of RM91.1 million. CFM said the four parcels of land, comprised two parcels of leasehold land with buildings erected, to be sold by its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary CFM Development Sdn Bhd (CFMD), for RM57.8 million and RM22.6 million. The company intends to use the disposal considerations for rental payments, special interim dividend, repayment of borrowings, estimated expenses and working capital. CFMD will also enter into tenancy agreements with FCW or its nominee upon completion of the disposals which will ensure that existing business operations on two lots of land are not disrupted. (Malay Mail)
