YTL founder Yeoh Tiong Lay dies at 88
The founder of YTL Group of companies, Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, passed away peacefully yesterday at age 88. Under YTL’s leadership, the YTL Group expanded from its base in Malaysia to encompass operations and projects across the globe. YTL Group of companies started of as a construction company in Kuala Selangor in 1955 and was turned into an integrated infrastructure developer with operations in numerous fields. YTL Corp is among the 30 largest companies listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, and is the parent company of three other listed entities: YTL Power International Bhd, YTL Land & Development Bhd and YTL Hospitality REIT. (Malay Mail Online)

Bentong to be first smart city in Malaysia under Obor
The China Smart Creation (CSC) Smart Eco-Valley in Bentong, Pahang, benefiting from the “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) initiative, will be Malaysia’s first smart city. This was in line with the aspiration to turn the town into a smart eco-friendly city, in addition to its status as a satellite city. It will be the first 100% smart city in Malaysia using China’s latest smart technology. The project is expected to begin this year end and completed in 18 to 24 months. The project, built on a 16ha land with a gross development value of RM3.5 billion, will comprise a smart city township that includes homes, hotels, universities, and a wellness centre, which encompasses the smart industry, smart living and smart management. (The Sun Daily)

Seacera to build Rubber Research Institute facility for RM216mil
The Malaysian Rubber Board’s (MRB) plan to build a new headquarters and other key facilities at Sungai Buloh, announced four years ago, seems to be taking off. Seacera Group Bhd has reportedly received a RM216mil sub-contract to undertake the construction of Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia’s (RRIM) Centre of Excellence in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. The project is expected to be completed in 24 months (October 2019). Earlier this month, Mudajaya Group Bhd clinched a RM118.6mil contract to build the 16-storey Hevea Tower in Sungai Buloh, which is expected to be the MRB corporate headquarters. (The Star Online)

MyHSR: Forest City HSR station not decided yet
SPAD is evaluating the proposal to build a KL-Singapore HSR station at the Forest City development in Johor Bahru. “As of now, there is no decision made yet,” said MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nur lsmal Mohamed Kamal. Without a final decision on the additional station, MyHSR will continue to focus on the original plan with seven stations. On whether the proposal would increase the cost of the project, Mohd Nur lsmal did not provide any financial guidance but said the proposal is not meant to raise the project’s cost. (The Edge Markets)

Rent-lease system for TOL land in Negri Sembilan
Negri Sembilan will no longer allow locals to occupy government land by giving out Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) that are renewable annually, in view of the rampant abuse of the permit. From next January onwards, the “rent-lease” concept would be implemented where these individuals would have to pay more if they had built permanent structures on such land. Those with TOL are not allowed to build permanent structures or even build trees on the land, but more than 90% had violated this condition. The “rent-lease” concept is a win-win situation as the TOL holders would not have to worry about being asked to vacate the said property after their permit expired. (The Star Online)

Ahmad Zaki lands second MRT2 job worth RM288.5mil
Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd has secured an additional work package contract worth RM288.5 million to construct three elevated stations and associated works for the MRT2 SSP line. The construction of the Serdang Raya (South), Seri Kembangan and Universiti Putra Malaysia stations will take 48 months to complete. Last year, Ahmad Zaki won a RM1.44 billion MRT2 construction project, and successfully completed two packages for the MRT1. (The Edge Markets)

Vizione to bag RM400mil construction job
According to sources, Vizione Holdings Bhd has secured a construction job worth about RM400mil related to building affordable housing in Kuala Lumpur, following the completion of a reverse takeover exercise last month. Vizione was formerly known as Astral Supreme Bhd. Its managing director declined to comment, but said the company currently has a tender book of about RM2 billion. It plans to focus on affordable housing projects in the Klang Valley, and is exploring infrastructure projects. (The Edge Markets)

57 projects worth RM2.3bil for Sabah, Labuan
57 high-impact power supply projects in Sabah and Labuan have been approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan with an allocation of RM2.3 billion. Fifty-six projects were to be carried out in Sabah while one was for Labuan. 41 projects costing RM1.4 billion had been executed. Nine new projects worth RM371.11 million were developed by the Sabah Special Project Planning and Delivery Unit (Sapadu) in Sabah and Labuan. The ministry has also allocated RM1.4 billion to develop 35 projects, but only 4.6% of the budget had been used. Similarly, RM1.177 billion had been allocated for seven on-loan projects under SESB, but only 9.17% of the allocation was used. (NST Online)

Housing ministry determined to take over Lembah Subang 1 flats
The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is determined to take over the management of Lembah Subang 1 People’s Housing Project (PPR) from the Selangor state government as MBPJ had failed to manage it well, said its minister Tan Sri Noh Omar. The land and building belong to the ministry but the rent is collected by MBPJ since 2003. However, problems such as faulty lifts and clogged pipes had not been managed by the state local authority. Noh had told Lembah Subang 1 PPR residents to stop paying their rent to MBPJ and channel the payment to the actual land and building owner which is KPKT. (Malay Mail Online)