Latest News

New Straits Times, Oct 29, 2010 | by Ravi Nambiar

BANDAR Raya Developments Bhd (BRDB) hopes to further strengthen its presence in Johor with the launch of The Straits View Residences - a gated-and-guarded community with freehold strata land parcels in Johor Baru.

The project with a gross development value of RM230 million is taking shape on a 35-acre site in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, the township developed by BRDB's whollyowned subsidiary Permas Jaya Sdn Bhd (PJSB).

In all, 218 units will be built of which 186 are semi-detached and 32 bungalows. The semi-dees are priced from RM868,000 while the bungalows start at RM1.9 million.

Since May this year, 78 units have been released for sale under phases one and two with the take-up rate exceeding 85 per cent to date. Phase three is now open for booking.

"Our target market is mainly locals, Singaporeans, Singapore permanent residents and expatriates," said PJSB general manager Teh Ku Yong.

The low-density project, which is also the most high-end development within Permas Jaya, includes a clubhouse exclusive to residents. The RM5 million clubhouse has a builtup area of 20,000sq ft on a two-acre plot.

"We're looking at providing more green features, aside from rainwater harvesting for gardening and washing cars," he added.

Teh said the exclusive residential enclave was launched to emulate the success of Permas Jaya's highend condo development, the Straits View Condominium.

"The Straits View Condominium is our flagship development in Permas Jaya and a sought-after residential property, especially among the expatriate community in JB.

"We hope to replicate the overwhelming success of the condominium development in The Straits View Residences," added Teh.

The condominium, launched in 1991, comprises six blocks of which five have been completed. The sixth block, named Elita @ The Straits View Condo, will be launched early next year.

Teh is upbeat about the market outlook for The Straits View Residences, noting that buyers are on the lookout for good quality products.

"We hope to ride on BRDB's reputation as the developer of high- end properties such as The Troika in Kuala Lumpur and One Menerung in Bangsar.

"BRDB has also made a name for itself in Johor by delivering quality homes in Permas Jaya. I believe prospective buyers will be comfortable investing in The Straits View Residences."

Special features within the enclave include the iconic Entry Statement with complete security services, practical feng shui elements and lavish landscaping.

"The house designs are modern in spirit with simple lines to ensure the dwellings are timeless in appearance. Our purchasers find this very appealing," Teh noted.

Bandar Baru Permas Jaya is BRDB's first project outside KL. About 75 per cent of the 1,400-acre township have been developed since it was launched in 1981.

To date, more than 11,000 units including mixed landed homes, apartments, condominiums, shopoffices/houses and light industrial properties worth over RM2 billion have been built in the township.

The self-contained community has amenities such as clinics, schools, restaurants, banks, sports complex, post office, Jusco shopping centre and an 18-hole golf course.

BRDB has also expanded its landbank in Johor with the acquisition of Limitless Holdings Pte Ltd's (a unit of Dubai World) stake in the RM2.3 billion Puteri Harbour waterfront project in Nusajaya.

It hopes to commence work next year on a development featuring bungalows, detached houses, townhouses and condominiums.

 

Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) will be ready in 2012

16/Nov/2010

JOHOR BARU: Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) highway will be ready by February 2012, this project valued RM977 mill is handled by a subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), Linkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd (MLSSB), which started to build this 8.1km highway in 2008 and it now reached 60% completion.

Mohamed Razeek Hussain, MRCB chief executive officer, said in a statement that this project will be completed on time even through there had an inclement weather recently, because it is being headed in the right direction.

“In order to make sure this highway will be completed on time, we hired 500 workers and 30 sub-contractors do the construction on a rush mode.”

“The travelling time from Johor Bahru to the Pandan interchange will be reduced, and the traffic from the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Bukit Chagar to all other major roads will be dispersed once the highway is opened to motorists.” He continues said.

The Pandan interchange will make CIQ and North-South Expressway link together, and the EDL highway is toll free, but not for traffic departing to Singapore.

New guideline on gated and guarded communities

3/Sep/2010



KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that new guidelines which is approved and endorsed by the National Council for Local Government will now be applied to all new gated and guarded communities’ applications.

Exemption on existing gated or guarded communities’ schemes.

Definite height for fences and permanent guardhouse with security guards patrolling the perimeter will be mentioned in the new guideline, said by Deputy Minister.

Local authorities has their right to make removal on the boom gate and guard posts if found them unsuitable, so guarded communities need to make sure these posts are temporary structures. Nevertheless, pricing are not involved in the guideline.

Muhyiddin said that non-residents have right to access schools or playgrounds through guarded communities’ housing area. And he added current gated communities may continue to use their barricades and guards provided that they do not cause inconvenience to residents.

A by-law will later be formulated under existing laws e.g. Strata Titles Act and Street, Drainage and Building Act to allow local authorities to deal with uncooperative parties.

New planetarium and research centre in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor

24/Jun/2010

JOHOR BAHRU: Johorian may be able to take a tour in a planetarium and a state science centre in Iskandar Malaysia in future due to the Johor Government having this plan.

“The planetarium will have a giant telescope, an exhibition hall (viewing gallery) and other facilities.” the Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said.

With the purpose of become an electronic government, Johor Government therefore plans to build the planetarium and research centre, and would make it as a centre of science researching and learning, furthermore the astronomy and science will be grown as a result of this planning.

Laws to be amended for speedier strata titles

18/Jun/2010



KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will be amending current laws to allow for speedier delivery and issuance of strata titles. The proposed amendments will enable strata titles to be obtained simultaneously with vacant possession, said Minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung (picture).

He added that the new regulation which is expected to be ready next year will enable property buyers to apply for strata titles once the structure of the property is built, he added.

The proposed amendments are being drafted in cooperation with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry as strata title applications are processed by land offices.

There are many cases where buyers, especially those who purchased apartments failed to obtain their strata titles even after several years of staying there,” he told reporters at a media briefing on Friday June 18.

Among the relevant Acts to be amended to accommodate the change include the Strata Titles Act 2007 and the Housing Development Act.

Under current regulations, developers are required to apply for strata titles not more tan six months after vafant possession and to transfer the titles to parcel proprietors (or purchaser) within 12 months from the date of issue of strata titles by the Land Administrator or face a RM1,000 to RM10,000 fine per parcel.