Beware of bogus PR1MA agents
Potential PR1MA home buyers are cautioned against falling victim to scammers who pose as PR1MA agents. Instances of scamming had happened many times before, thus the public should check with PR1MA when approached by any ‘agent’. “Don’t believe people who claim to be PR1MA agents, especially if they ask for a deposit. We never ask for a deposit for PR1MA housing. All applications for a house must be made online by the buyer themselves,” said PR1MA vice president of corporate communications Datin Norashikin Abdullah Shan. Even contractors had been fooled by irresponsible individuals claiming to be agents of PR1MA who could help secure a housing development project. She advised potential buyers to refer to PR1MA website before making any decision and emphasised that applications are made through the national registration system on the website only. (The Borneo Post)
Noh calls for commission to coordinate housing projects
A housing commission should be set up to coordinate all housing-related agencies under one roof to address various issues especially affordable homes, said Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar. Currently there are several housing-related agencies being under the purview of different ministries such as the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Project and the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Project, under the Prime Minister’s Department while Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) is under the Finance Ministry. Prior to this, the National Professors Council had suggested the setting up of such a commission to regulate all housing-related matters. (Malay Mail Online)
DBKL to set up safety nets to catch ‘killer’ litter at PPRs
DBKL has started to fasten safety nets to catch falling litter at 72 People’s Housing Projects (PPR) in Kuala Lumpur. The installation will be for 494 blocks and DBKL will bear all expenses, said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor. The move followed a tragedy last week where a 15-year-old boy died after being hit by a chair thrown from the upper floor of a PPR flat. DBKL will consider imposing higher penalties on those found guilty of such acts. Of the 72 PPR identified, 13 were deemed crime hotspots involving drugs, theft and social problems. (Malay Mail Online)
1,200 more PR1MA homes to be built in Sabah
The government would build more affordable homes in Sabah to enable the people, especially those in the middle-income group (M40), to own a house, said State Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Hajiji Noor. The people should grab the opportunity by being aware of every housing open day programme for the sale of houses such as those organised by PR1MA Corp to enable them to know the set conditions for eligibility and to register themselves and purchase a house. The PR1MA @ Menggatal housing project with a community lifestyle living concept offered 1,200 units priced at between RM243,000 and RM300,000 per unit. The project would begin soon and was expected to be completed within three years. (The Sun Daily)
LG Electronics partners with Aspen Group for first academy, flagship store
LG Electronics Inc has entered into a partnership with Aspen (Group) Holdings Limited to provide technological solutions, products and services for all of the developer’s real estate developments. The partnership will see LG setting up its first academy in Malaysia to provide training in skills specialisation, mechanical training and support in after sales service of LG’s products. LG will also open a flagship store to showcase its latest technology and best premium products in Aspen Vision City. Under the new partnership between LG and Aspen, LG will offer a wide range of its products to all of Aspen’s real estate developments in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. (Malay Mail Online)
Ho Wah Genting introduces shared ownership model
Ho Wah Genting Property Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Ho Wah Genting Group (USA) Ltd has recently introduced a new property investment concept for its two maiden hotel development projects in Malaysia: Goldmen Suites near Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur and HWG Resort in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The investment concept for Goldmen Suites and HWG Resort, based on a shared property ownership model, was introduced to the Malaysian market on Nov 11, 2017. Under this shared model, every unit in these two projects is allowed a maximum of 12 owners, with Ho Wah Genting Property being one of them so it can play the administrator role. (The Edge Markets)
Steelmaker Atta Global proposes property play diversification
Atta Global Bhd has proposed to diversify into property development, construction and property investment, in anticipation of the commencement of a property development project by a subsidiary this year. Its 55%-owned unit Tetap Gembira Development Sdn Bhd (TGDSB) intends to undertake a mixed development project, consisting of a 23-floor building in Penang. Work is expected to begin in the first half of 2018 and completed by 2021. (The Edge Markets)
Penang to step up enforcement against littering in public housing
The Penang housing department will heighten enforcement at People’s Housing Projects (PPR) to stop indiscriminate littering and obstruction at corridors, under the Strata Management Act 2013. Penang state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said the department must enforce the existing regulations to stop the problem from becoming a danger or nuisance to residents. Aside from enforcement, he said awareness programmes were also needed to educate flat residents about the dangers of high-rise litter. Last year, 28 notices were issued to PPR residents for offences such as obstructing common corridors, littering, illegal structures and renovations and other activities that are a threat to the safety of other residents. (Malay Mail Online)
