Property players see price rise in Penang

A general uptrend in Penang property prices is expected this year as property developers offer better quality products to more discerning buyers.

Penang-based property players interviewed by Business Times have cited construction material prices and inflation as reasons for them to price their units higher this year.

They, however, gave no indication on the quantum of the price increase.

"Despite the risk of price increases in raw materials, the outlook for the property market remains positive this year," SP Setia Bhd general manager S. Rajoo said.

"As the population increases, the demand for properties will increase as well," he added.

Rajoo said available property units in the state have been decreasing tremendously over the past 10 years due to strong demand for selected property types.

"We anticipate demand for landed properties to remain strong, due to the scarcity of land in Penang."

Eastern and Oriental Bhd said the prices of its properties are determined closer to their launch dates and hinge on prevailing market conditions, raw material prices and market sentiment.

E&O owns and develops Seri Tanjung Pinang masterplan township on Penang island that offers a range of properties including landed homes and high-rise residences by the sea.

"Consumers are highly discerning nowadays and they desire a complete package which includes built-in wardrobes and cabinets, quality fittings along with fine finishing and appliances, said its executive direc-tor Eric Chan Kok Leong.

"This in turn affects the eventual pricing of properties," Chan added.

Hunza Properties Bhd group executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong concurred, saying that the rising trend in property prices tend to reflect an upgrading of quality for the said units.

"As buyers demand for better and higher quality, the price of building materials and land contribute to this rising trend," he said, adding that demand for properties in Penang continues to be strong for residential units in the face of a supply shortage.

For Ivory Properties Group Bhd, better finishings and amenities, teamed with larger liveable spaces are expected to result in a higher range of property offerings.

"With impending inflation, increase in prices of construction materials and factors such as all government-driven economic programmes like the Economic Transformation Programme, National Key Economic Area and the economic corridors which are due to drive the economy towards a higher per capita income, we foresee mid- to high-end properties continuing to be in demand," said its deputy chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff.

Ivory's ongoing and upcoming projects in the first half of the year, he noted, will comprise commercial, landed residential and high-rise residences in Penang.

IJM Land Bhd, whose flagship "The Light" development is set to keep the company busy for the next 12-15 years, is looking at a slight price increase for its offerings.

IJM Land general manager Toh Chin Leong cited construction materials and inflation as reasons for the revision of prices.

With a gross development value of RM5.5 billion, The Light is a 60.8ha freehold waterfront development which will be built over the next 11 to 15 years.

"We had a good year in 2010 and we foresee the market to be stable and consistent and look forward to another good year ahead," Toh said.

By Business Times

Tambun Indah unit buys land in Penang

TAMBUN Indah Land Bhd's wholly-owned unit, Epiland Properties Sdn Bhd is buying two parcels of land in Butterworth, Penang from Hussain Imam Md Ismail and Ayesha Mohamed Ismail for RM11 million.

The deal is in line with its strategy to increase its land bank.

By Business Times

Elegant and fashionable

Posh: The semi-detached houses by BSG Property in Tanjung Bungah.

BOON Siew Group Property’s (BSG) NineTen project comprising 40 semi-detached houses located in Tanjung Bungah will be completed by July.

The project, which is part of the upcoming 48.5ha Permai Village township, will have the Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) and Tenby International School (scheduled for completion in August) as “neighbours”.

BSG property business development manager Koay Wei Loong said the units, aimed at the middle and upper middle class, have been bought by locals and foreigners mainly from Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore.

“We made sure that everything is of the highest quality, because these buyers are usually very choosy. Most of our buyers are also repeat customers.

“Besides buying for occupancy or as a holiday home, the customers will sometimes buy it for investment,” he said after holding a private preview for selected guests recently.

BSG property executive director Alfred Chew said that the units priced from RM2.4mil to RM5.8 mil are almost completed.


Luxurious: Houses in NineTen project come complete with swimming pool.

“We have sold 60% of the NineTen project. Landed property in Penang is in demand because of land scarcity on the island. These days, we see that buildings in Penang are moving upwards,” Chew said.

By The Star

TILB focuses on mainland Penang projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-listed Tambun Indah Land Bhd (TILB) expects to complete the first of its seven ongoing property projects on mainland Penang in the first quarter of this year.

The company will complete the second phase of its RM79mil Juru Heights bungalow project by March, according to managing director Teh Kiak Seng.

“We have seven projects ongoing this year with a GDV (gross development value) of RM530mil. They include medium-cost apartments and mid-range housing developments,” he said after the listing ceremony of TILB on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

Going forward, Teh said TILB would continue to develop projects on mainland Penang (as opposed to the island) as properties there were more affordable.


Teh Kiak Seng (second from left) and Tambun Indah Land directors monitoring the company’s share price on Tuesday.

“We are getting more purchasers coming to the mainland because they can't afford prices on the island,” he said, adding that it would be more viable for TILB to tap the mainland property market.

“The Penang state population is about 1.6 million. The island has 700,000 people. There are more people staying on the mainland and it is also attracting a lot of FDI (foreign direct investments),” Teh said.

He cited, as an example, Japan-based printed circuit board maker Ibiden Co Ltd, which has invested in a RM1bil plant at Penang Science Park. He also mentioned Nasdaq-listed Rubicon Technology Inc, a leading global light-emitting diode (LED) manufacturer, as well as US-based Honeywell Aerospace, a leading provider of avionics and electronics, which have also invested substantially in the mainland.

“Connectivity (in Penang) is also being improved with the construction of the second Penang bridge,” Teh said, adding that the Federal Government had big plans to develop Butterworth.

“Expansion at Butterworth Port has just been completed. The main railway station is also in Butterworth. All of this will create opportunities such as new jobs and attract more people, who will need to buy houses to be closer to the job market.”

Teh also said the Penang mainland property market was more active and had better growth prospects.

“During the recession in 2009, the Penang island property market grew by 0.3%, but mainland Penang grew by 9.3%,” he said.

“Also, from 2002 to 2010, the island housing market grew by 4%, but mainland grew by 5.4%.”

According to Teh, TILB has a land bank of close to 300 acres, all located on the mainland.

“We have an option of another hundred acres. We move very fast, we buy land and develop. We don't buy land to keep as it's too costly. This has been our business model since the beginning.”

TILB was negotiating with land owners in Penang to acquire land for projects in 2012 and “actively seeking” land in the Klang Valley, he said, adding: “We've seen some land in the Klang Valley but we haven't bought any. We're still looking but the project must be viable.”

On another note, Teh said the company had set a dividend payout policy of 40% to 60% of its annual net profit.

TILB recorded a net profit of RM25.37mil for its financial year 2010.

The company opened at 80 sen and closed at 80.5 sen, a 10.5 sen premium over its issue price of 70 sen. A total of 41.5 million shares were traded, making it the second most active counter of the day.

By The Star

Bolton eyeing 44ha site in Penang

PROPERTY developer Bolton Bhd is looking to expand its landbank in Penang with a potential acquisition in Teluk Kumbar this year.

Bolton executive chairman Datuk Azman Yahya yesterday said it was hopeful to conclude the proposed acquisition of the 44ha site within two to three months.

The land on the south-western end of Penang island is estimated to cost Bolton RM150 million, Azman added.

"Our maiden project in Penang - Surin, has been encouraging and we are now looking at expanding our landbank on the island via acquisitions and joint ventures," he told reporters after a topping out ceremony for the Surin Tower B project located in Tanjung Bungah.
Surin is a two-block 28-storey luxury condominium project which is built on a freehold parcel of elevated land and carries a development value of RM199 million.

Of the project's 390 units, about 77 per cent had already been sold out and about 30 per cent to 35 per cent of the buyers were foreign, Azman said.

The units, which were sold at prices ranging from RM345,998 to RM1.2 million, offer amenities such as an infinity pool, rooftop garden, two covered carpark bays per unit, three tier security, a barbeque area and sky decks.

On the planned purchase of the Teluk Kumbar land, Azman said Bolton was looking at building landed property units, along with apartments in a gated community.

"Our target investors for this proposed project would be locals," he added, saying that Bolton remains on the lookout to buy land in Tanjung Bungah.

"We remain convinced of Penang's vibrancy and growth prospects and we are actively looking for development opportunities.

"The residential market remains buoyant and this is a segment which we want to focus on," Azman said.

In the Klang Valley, he said the company will soon unveil a block of luxury serviced residences at Jalan Bukit Ceylon, an exclusive gated community in Ukay Perdana, and the 51 Gurney development.

The latter project is touted as Malaysia's first and only super luxurious condominium which comes complete with spacious driveway on every floor and a car park within every unit.

By Business Times

Jetson Development buys land in Penang

KUMPULAN Jetson Bhd’s 51 per cent-owned subsidiary, Jetson Development Sdn Bhd, is buying three plots of first grade freehold land in Penang from Malaysia Building Society Bhd for RM14 million.

The company said the purchase fits into its strategy to implement boutique developments in Penang, which will appeal to the niche local and foreign property buyers, who demand luxury and secluded prestigious address.

By Business Times

SP Setia wins Penang convention centre deal

SP Setia Bhd, the country's largest developer by sales has won a RM300 million project to build and operate the Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE), Bloomberg reported, citing an email statement from the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Last Thursday, Business Times reported that the property developer was the front runner and on the verge of winning the job.

Securing the project should bode well for SP Setia, which posted sales of RM1.74 billion and a net profit of RM251.81 million in the year ended October 31 2010.

The project aims to create a "Penang People's Park" that includes the country's first subterranean sPICE, a 2.83 hectares public park on the rooftop, a refurbished and upgraded Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa), a refurbished and upgraded Aquatic Centre and a four-star hotel with retail outlets and a spacious parking lot.

The project will be developed through a public-private partnership agreement between the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and developer SP Setia Bhd's unit Eco Meridean Sdn Bhd.
On September 3 2010, SP Setia had bought 2 ordinary shares of RM1.00 each in Eco Meridian Sdn Bhd, resulting in the private company becoming a wholly owned unit of SP Setia.

Financing for the Penang project will see MPPP injecting some RM50 million, through a combination of land and cash, while Eco Meridean will finance the rest.

The proposed sPICE, which initially came with a RM50 million priceline, has been mired in controversy ever since Lim proposed it.

One of the concerns raised was that the project would incur huge expenditure, which could result in the council becoming insolvent.

Lim, however, claimed the council could save some RM25 million from the refurbishment, repairs and upgrading work on Pisa and the Aquatic Centre and that Eco Meridean will pay RM13.5 million for land to build a four-star hotel to complement sPICE.

This means that the net sum of MPPP's investment in the project would be RM11.5 million.

Work on the project is expected to start within three to six months' time and will be completed in three years.

By Business Times

SP Setia leads race for PICC deal

Sources say SP Setia is likely to get a 30-year concession to build and operate the Penang International Convention Centre

Property developer SP Setia Bhd has emerged as the leading contender to build the Penang International Convention Centre (PICC) on the grounds of the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa).

According to sources, SP Setia is likely to get a 30-year concession to build and operate the convention centre, which will include other components like a hotel and retail outlets.

"The proposed project is likely to cost over RM200 million," one source told Business Times yesterday.

Another source said SP Setia is one of four companies which had responded to a request for proposal from the Penang state government. The Penang Island Municipal Council had closed the tender in September last year.
The other companies said to be in the running are Singapore-based exhibition contractor Pico Global Services Ltd, which has operations in Malaysia, and a host of local contractors.

Pisa (picture) is an indoor sports arena located close to Penang international airport.

The project was completed in 2000 and serves as the largest and most comprehensive multi-purpose indoor venue on Penang Island.

The arena, which is owned by the Penang Island Municipal Council and managed by Penevents Sdn Bhd, boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a spacious air-conditioned area, which has been designed to host conventions, exhibitions and entertainment shows, along with major sporting events.

A source said that if SP Setia succeeds, it plans to build a public rooftop park in the convention centre building.

The proposed PICC, which was initially tagged at RM50 million, has been mired in controversy ever since Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng proposed it.

One of the concerns raised was that the project would incur huge expenditure, which could result in the council becoming insolvent.

SP Setia's entry into Penang dates back five years to its maiden development "Setia Pearl Island" in Sungai Ara near the Penang international airport.

The project, which is sited on a 45.2ha of land, serves as the company's flagship project in Penang.

Since then, SP Setia has made its mark in several other property projects dotting the island and these include high-end landed properties in the upscale Jesselton neighbourhood and an upcoming exclusive condominium project facing Penang's famed promenade, Gurney Drive.

The company is said to be aggressively in expansion mode to increase its landbank in Penang.

By Business Times

Ivory to offer seaview villas in Batu Ferringhi

Semi-detached villas with unobstructed sea views along Penang's famous tourism belt Batu Ferringhi are poised to be one of Ivory Properties Group Bhd's latest offerings this year.

The project which carries a gross development value of RM27 million will comprise only 11 units of the resort-style development which is located within a hillside setting with an ocean view.

The company's deputy chairman and executive director Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff said Ivory Properties will also unveil this year a luxury condominiums project known as "The Latitude" in Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

"The Island Resort semi-detached villas will be launched by the middle of the year and we expect to complete the project by 2014," he told Business Times.

Also present at the interview was the company's head of investor relations Ang Kung San.

Nazir said each of the four-storey villas, comprising four plus one bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, will boast its own lift and private plunge pool.

Tagged between RM2.33 million and RM3.98 million, the 11 units are part of Ivory's "10 Island Resort" project, which is sited at Batu Ferringhi's Miami Beach.

The villas come in various sizes, with built-up areas ranging from 3,820 sq ft to 6,450 sq ft.

Nazir said the villas, along with the 220 units of the upscale "`The Latitude" (which is sprawled on a 0.82ha and carries a development value of RM137 million) are among the 300 units of property which Ivory Properties will be lining up for sale this year.

The company currently has an undeveloped landbank of between 160ha and 200ha in both Penang and Tanjung Malim, Selangor.

"We are actively looking for land and joint-venture partners in Penang and the Klang Valley," Nazir said.

Meanwhile on Ivory's plans for a four- to five-star hotel within its Penang Times Square development in George Town, Nazir said:

"We intend to construct and sell the proposed hotel and are seeking for investors to co-build the hotel with us."

He also said that work on Phase 3 of Penang Times Square, which will comprise luxury condominiums, a convention centre, cineplex and a 150,000 sq ft departmental store, is expected to take off by the end of this year.

By Business Times

Tambun Indah to buy 3.2ha in Penang

KUALA LUMPUR: Tambun Indah Land Bhd, a leading property developer in Penang, is planning to acquire 3.2ha of land next year.

Managing director Ir Teh Kiak Seng said the group had identified 1.6ha on the mainland and another 1.6ha on Penang island with a gross development value (GDV) of approximately RM36mil and RM170mil respectively.

According to an independent market researcher, the residential property market in Penang was valued at RM3.7bil last year, and the mainland accounted for approximately 30% of Penang's residential property market.

“Mainland Penang (Seberang Perai) is one of the fastest growing districts in Penang due largely to a growing working class population as a result of rapid industrialisation,” he said during the launch of the group's initial public offering (IPO) here yesteday.

Tambun Indah is scheduled for a main-market listing on Jan 18. “We are still eyeing for landbank in the Klang Valley like in Shah Alam and Kajang but are cautious about the cost; therefore, we have not finalised anything yet.

“As we all know, Klang Valley is a good market to do housing, but we want to build our name by building quality homes at an affordable price. We, however, have no plans to expand overseas at the moment,” Teh said.

Last year, the group garnered a 10% share of the Seberang Perai residential property market.

“We expect after the IPO, our market share will increase above 10%,” he added. To date, Tambun Indah has sold more than 2,800 residential units, mostly in mainland Penang with a GDV of more than RM800mil.” Teh said the group achieved commendable financial performance over the years and had maintained a low-borrowing financial model so as not to burden the balance sheet. As at Dec 31, 2009, the group was in net cash position.

“Tambun Indah has adopted a progressive dividend policy of paying between 40% and 60% of group net profit to shareholders.

“At an IPO price of 70 sen per share, the annualised net dividend yield is (about) 7% in financial year 2010,” he said.

By Bernama

New builder for major project - High-end property scheme in Batu Ferringhi to be rebranded

GEORGE TOWN: Mah Sing Group Bhd will apply for approval to take over the planning permission for the Tropika Ferringhi project given to the previous land owner.

Mah Sing said in a statement that on 22 November, the group had acquired a piece of freehold land in Batu Ferringhi which had been approved by the authorities for residential development as applied by the vendor from an earlier submission.

“The premium has been paid and a development order procured for landed development (Phase Two) for the project named Tropika Ferringhi.

Subject to authorities’ approval, Mah Sing intends to rebrand the project ‘Ferringhi Residence@Penang’ upon completion of the sales and purchase agreement.

”Mah Sing will be applying to the MPPP for approval to take over the planning permission upon completion of the land purchase,” the statement said.

Mah Sing was responding to an MPPP statement which said that the group had not submitted any application for planning or development approval for the Ferringhi Residence@Penang project.

Mah Sing had said the group would unveil its RM800mil residential project on a 61-acre site in Batu Ferringhi in the first quarter of 2011.

Group managing director and chief exe-cutive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said the pro- ject would be a gated and guarded scheme, comprising property such as semi-detached and bungalow homes as well as condominiums.

By The Star

RM8bil spill-over effects from RM2.7bil Penang Sentral

A general view of the Penang Sentral project’s first phase

GEORGE TOWN: The RM2.7bil Penang Sentral project in Butterworth is expected to generate economic spill-over effects of about RM8bil when the entire project is completed 10 years from now.

Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) executive director Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid said at a press conference that work on the first phase, comprising an integrated transportation hub with a retail component, would start next month.

The first phase, estimated to have a gross development value of at least RM400mil, is scheduled for completion by Dec 2013.

Work on the second phase is expected to start even before the completion of the first phase, he said. Work on the third and final phase is expected to start five years from now.

The second and third phases are commercial components, comprising a commercial hub, including office towers, serviced apartments, a hotel and waterfront amenities, scheduled for completion 10 years from now.

Zaki spoke after the Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar launched the Rapid Penang I Planner logo.

In May this year, MRCB Utama Sdn Bhd project manager (project/property) Zamri Mat Zain had said that the first phase would miss the July 2011 completion deadline due to delays in land acquisition.

Zaki said construction of the first phase was likely to generate some 2,500 jobs. By the time the entire project is completed, some 15,000 jobs would be created, generating an economic spillover effect of about RM8bil, he said.

Ahmad Zaki added that the gross development value of RM2.7bil was a conservative figure, which was likely to increase next year.

The Penang Sentral project, developed by MRCB in partnership with Pelaburan Hartanah Bumiputera Bhd, is part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region initiative.

The two companies formed a joint-venture firm, called Penang Sentral Sdn Bhd, which would undertake the development of the transport and commercial hub.

MRCB Selborn Corp Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MRCB, has been appointed to manage the development, design, construction, completion and maintenance of Penang Sentral.

The transport hub is expected to cater to approximately 65 million passengers a year.

Meanwhile, LPTC chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal said that the commission would next month start to finalise the public transport policy for the country.

It will take nine months to finalise the policy, as the LPTC needs to assess the data collected from all over the country on the needs for public transportation in different towns and cities, he said.

We will then know what kind of public transport programme is needed for which towns and cities in the country, he said.

By The Star

Mah Sing to unveil new home project valued at RM800mil

GEORGE TOWN: Mah Sing Group Bhd will unveil its RM800mil residential project on a 61-acre site in Batu Ferringhi in the first quarter of 2011.


Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum ... ‘Penang is an important market for us and we want to create the same kind of excitement there that we have achieved in the Klang Valley.’

Group managing director and chief executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said the project to be known as Ferringhi Residence@Penang was designed to be a gated and guarded project, comprising landed properties such as semi-detached, bungalow homes and condominiums.

The semi-detached units, with built-up of 3,000 sq ft, is priced from RM1.4mil onwards, while the bungalow homes, with built-up of 4,200 sq ft, is priced from RM2.2mil.

There will also be condominiums with built-up areas of between 850 sq ft and 1,800 sq ft, priced tentatively from RM480 psf.

Most phases would enjoy commanding views of the sea, he said.

Leong added that the semi-detached homes and bungalows would have their own separate clubhouse facilities.

The condominium will have a facilities deck that will house amenities such as a swimming pool, gym and various other facilities, he added.

Leong said Batu Ferringhi, a renowned tourist belt on the island, was sought after by homeowners and investors as it was located away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Our superlink homes in Penang such as Residence@Southbay are about 90% sold and are expected to be handed over to purchasers by the first quarter of 2011. Penang is an important market for us and we want to create the same kind of excitement there that we have achieved in the Klang Valley, he said.

Mah Sing's wholly-owned subsidiary Uptrend Housing Development Sdn Bhd yesterday acquired the 61-acre freehold site in Batu Ferringhi for RM157.3mil cash or about RM59.17 psf.

The land has been converted for residential development and the group has received approval from the local authorities for the development plans of the landed properties of Ferringhi Residence@Penang, he said.

By The Star

Mah Sing unit buys 24ha land in Batu Ferringhi

UPTREND Housing Development Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Mah Sing Group Bhd, has acquired 24.41 hectares of freehold land in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, for RM157.3 million cash.

In a statement yesterday, Mah Sing said the land will be developed into a resort-style project, named Ferringhi Residence@Penang, with an estimated gross development value of RM800 million.

The company has paid RM17.3 million, representing 11 per cent, of the total consideration upon signing of the sales and purchase agreement (SPA).

"The balance will be paid within five months from the SPA date subject to conditions precedent, with an automatic extension of a month subject to 4 per cent interest per annum," it said.
Mah Sing's group managing director-cum-group chief executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said the group is confident of the resort-style development plan as it already has four projects in Penang, including Icon Residence and Southbay Penang mixed development.

The company said the land has already been converted for residential development and development plan procured for landed development.

"The main access road is ready and external infrastructure substantially completed," it said.

By Bernama

Making Penang more connected, liveable

The concerns of Penang's business community were raised last night during a gathering of the island state's captains of industry, where issues relating to Penang's infrastructure, talent pool and a liveable environment were highlighted.

"If Penang is not to lose its manufacturing sector and de-industrialise, we need to seriously think about making this place more connected and more liveable.

"By focussing on attracting foreign direct investments alone is not enough, for all high-income economies are dependent on both capital and a highly-mobile talent," Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry northern region) chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff said during the chamber's annual dinner at G Hotel in Penang.

Founded in 1837, MICCI is the oldest private sector business organisation in Malaysia and today boasts a base of close to 1,000 corporate members.

The chamber traces its history from the formation, in 1837, of its ancestor, The Penang Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.

Stating that it is not a coincidence that the biggest and brightest stars in the high income bracket are all city-regions where business can be conducted easily and comfortably, where talented workers are spoiled for choice in schools and healthcare centres for their families, where local culture is vibrant, Nazir pointed that these cities are usually home to world-class research centres and universities.

"Successful city regions," he added, "also specialise and this means that Penang does not need to become a replica of Hong Kong, Singapore or San Francisco to succeed."

"We should cut the cloth according to our size. We can achieve a good standard of living for our own people and at the same time attract talent and capital to achieve sustainable growth.

"The first step, however, is to get our house-in order."

He said if Penang is serious about becoming a habitat of choice for business, it was imperative for the state to "look and feel like a habitat that works."

"And here," Nazir noted, "the State Government's "Cleaner Greener" initiative needs more pith.

"There is no need to go through the list of things that need to get done. Suffice it to say that the clock is ticking and if we are to secure future growth, we have to make our cities more connected and liveable."

By Business Times

CapitaMalls to buy Gurney Plaza block

PETALING JAYA: The manager of Capitamalls Malaysia Trust, CapitaMalls Malaysia REIT Management Sdn Bhd, proposed to acquire a retail extension block of Gurney Plaza and parking lots at the complex in Penang for RM215mil.

A filing with Bursa Malaysia showed that CapitaMalls Malaysia REIT had entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Gurney Plaza Sdn Bhd for the acquisition of a nine-storey retail extension block adjoining Gurney Plaza with a net lettable area of about 139,964 sq ft as at Sept 30, comprising four levels of retail space and car parking bays. The deal also includes another 129 parking bays at Gurney Plaza itself.

“The proposed acquisition is in line with the manager’s investment strategy to provide unitholders with long-term and sustainable distribution of income and potential capital growth,” it said, adding that the building has a forecast property yield of about 7.1% for 2011.

As at Nov 1, Capitamalls Malaysia Trust is the largest “pure-play” shopping mall real estate investment trust by property asset value in Malaysia and the proposed acquisition will further strengthen its position. Following the completion of the proposed acquisition, its property asset value is expected to increase from about RM2.13bil as at Sep 30 to about RM2.36bil.

By The Star

SP Setia to launch four residential projects worth RM546mil

The Show Village of Setia Pearl Island

GEORGE TOWN: SP Setia Bhd plans to launch four new residential projects with an estimated gross sales value RM546mil on the island beginning this December and next year.

SP Setia property (North) general manager S. Rajoo told StarBiz that the projects comprised the RM175mil Setia Greens, RM60.5mil Brook Residences, RM170mil Setia V Residences, and the RM139mil Pearl Villas in the Setia Pearl Island scheme.

Setia Greens, comprising 149 three-storey terraces and 18 semi-detached houses with dual frontage in Sungai Ara, would be launched in December.

“The selling price starts from RM918,000 onwards for terraced units with built-up areas ranging from 2,400sq ft and 3,200sq ft.

“The selling price for the semi-detached units, with built-up areas of around 3,300sq ft, is around RM1.6mil onwards,” he said.

Subsequently the group would launch Brook Residences in February 2011 and the Pearl Villas in April, and Setia V Residences in the second half of next year, Rajoo said.

“The Brook Residences in Brook Road, a prime residential area near Jesselton Road, comprises 11 luxurious bungalows priced from RM5.8mil onwards, while the Pearl Villas comprise 35 bungalows priced from RM2.8mil onwards.

“The Setia V Residences project in Kelawei near Gurney Drive, comprising 67 luxurious condominiums, tentatively priced from RM2.8mil onwards,” he said.

Rajoo said Setia Greens would be the northern region’s first Green Building Index-rated project.

“What makes the project unique are the environmental features such as solar water heater, rain-water harvesting system, water efficient fittings, and cool roof system for each unit.

“We are using a special low-volatile organic compound paint for the project,” he said.

Rajoo said these new projects were targeted at the executives working in the south-west district of the island as well as investors.

For the nine months of SP Setia’s fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, the group’s projects from Penang contributed close to RM150mil or about 10% of the RM1.95bil revenue posted for the nine month period.

“We are confident that the contribution from Penang this fiscal year closing Oct 31, 2010 will hit over 10% of the targeted RM2bil revenue of the group.

“Setia Vista, Reflections condominium, and the new semi-detached launches in Setia Pearl Island contributed significantly from Penang,” he said.

Rajoo said Penang would continue to play an important revenue generating role in the group’s property development business.

“We will continue to look for land in prime locations either to develop on our own or on a joint-venture basis,” he added.

Meanwhile, Henry Butcher (Malaysia) Penang director Dr Teoh Poh Huat said high-end properties were still sustainable in Penang, as there were now overseas Malaysians investing in the island’s property market.

“These are overseas Malaysians earning pounds and US dollars, who are buying high-end properties with the view to come home to stay one day.

“This segment is playing an increasingly important role in the Penang high-end property market developed by branded developers,” he said.

By The Star