Cassia Cempaka shines at The BrandLaureate Property Branding Awards 2024

Property News/ 1 June 2024

At the inaugural launch of The BrandLaureate Fast Moving Growing Sustainable Business & Brands Awards 2024, Cassia Cempaka, a property development brand in Penang, emerged as one of the distinguished winners of The BrandLaureate Property Branding Awards 2024. The event, hosted by The World Brands Foundation (TWBF), celebrated outstanding global brands for their excellence and innovation across various industries.

The BrandLaureate Property Branding Awards 2024 specifically recognized brands within the property sector that have significantly influenced their industry by shaping landscapes and enhancing community lifestyles. Cassia Cempaka’s achievement highlights its commitment to excellence in property development and its role in redefining residential living standards.

The awards ceremony was marked by elegance and grandeur, bringing together representatives from leading brands to honor their contributions to sustainable growth and industry innovation. Prof. Dr. KKJohan, in his welcoming speech, encouraged award recipients to leverage their recognition to further expand their brand presence and make bold advancements in their leadership.

In addition to Cassia Cempaka, other notable property development brands recognized included Berinda Properties, Dhaya Maju, IM Buildcon, Mitraland, and UDA. The event also honored property landmark brands like WCT Malls (Gateway@KLIA2) and Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, as well as property ecosystem brands such as ALG Worldwide, COLORBOND®, and Evergold.

Esteemed personalities such as Stephen Krempl, CEO of Krempl Communications International, and Serely Alcaraz, Executive Director of ITD World, received The BrandLaureate International Brand Personality Award 2024. Esteemed sports icons, including professional track cyclist Dato’ Mohd Azizulhasni Awang OLY, renowned Muay Thai fighter Johan “Jojo” Ghazali, and professional badminton player Lee Zii Jia OLY, were also honored for their influential contributions to their respective sports.

The event included the representation of The Entrepreneur Award – Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, given to Ms. Carrie Lee, Founder of CL Skin Sdn Bhd. This award was presented after she was unable to attend the ceremony last year due to work engagements in Paris. The night also witnessed the induction of the World’s No.1 Tower Runner, Soh Wai Ching, into The BrandLaureate Book of World Records 2024 for his recent feat of being crowned the World Champion of the Taipei 101 Run Up 2024.

Tags: cassia cempaka, the brandlaureate property branding awards

Penang to enforce strict measures on non-compliant developers and contractors

Property News/ 1 June 2024

Source: Facebook

Penang will implement strict measures against developers and contractors who fail to comply with regulations, causing public distress and property damage. Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari emphasized that actions such as stop-work orders and fines would be enforced in response to any violations.

This announcement came after Connie Tan Hooi Peng (PH-Seri Delima) raised concerns about disturbances from the construction of the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two) in her constituency. Zairil confirmed that stern warnings had been issued to the project developer, stressing that non-compliance could lead to immediate stop-work orders or fines. He also mentioned that he chairs monthly progress meetings to monitor the project’s adherence to regulations.

On May 22, the design-and-build contractor for the bypass project, Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd, received a stop-work order for violating regulations by working on public holidays, outside the permitted hours. The unauthorized work was not related to mitigation matters.

Responding to another question by Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam) about measures to prevent flash floods along Lebuhraya Thean Teik near the project site, Zairil noted that the issue had been addressed. The developer has deepened existing sedimentation ponds and constructed additional ones to mitigate flood risks. The developer is also responsible for post-flood cleaning works.

Recently, debris from blasting works at the RM850 million Air Itam bypass construction site damaged two condominium blocks in Island Park, affecting property and vehicles. Nearby houses have also been impacted, particularly during rain, as work site residue flowed into residential compounds.

The bypass project, expected to be completed next year, aims to reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to under 10 minutes. Package Two includes three interchanges and involves upgrading the drainage system, existing roads, and utility relocation in the project area.

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Penang Mutiara Line LRT to feature scalable low- to medium-capacity system

Property News/ 31 May 2024

Penang state government and MRT Corporation are exploring a low- to medium-capacity system for the Penang Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project, Bernama has reported. The transport ministry’s procurement board will determine the appropriate LRT system based on passenger projections and state needs, according to state infrastructure transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

Zairil emphasized that a high-capacity system like the Kelana Jaya LRT line, which accommodates 15,000 to 30,000 passengers per hour, is unsuitable for Penang. Instead, Penang will adopt a scalable system, initially operating with two-car trains, with the option to expand to three- or four-car trains in the future as demand increases.

The LRT’s detailed design will incorporate sufficient electricity resources, ensuring each station is connected to a traction power substation (TPS) to supply power to the trains.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced in April that construction of the Penang LRT project would commence in the fourth quarter of this year. The federal government has taken over the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project, which is projected to be completed by 2030.

Tags: mutiara line, penang lrt

Older stratified homes urged to apply for water tank installation assistance

Property News/ 31 May 2024

For illustration only

Stratified homes, especially older housing schemes lacking water tanks, are being encouraged to apply for installations through local authorities, the Penang Housing Board, or the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). This initiative was announced by State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu during the State Legislative Assembly at the State Assembly building in Light Street.

Sundarajoo highlighted that many buildings constructed before the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 665) was enacted do not have rooftop or internal water tanks. The enactment of the Act in 2006 addressed these issues, but older buildings remain without these essential installations.

PBAPP now mandates the installation of water tanks with a minimum capacity of 300 gallons in both stratified and landed housing schemes. Sundarajoo urged Joint Management Bodies (JMB) and Management Committees (MC) to take the initiative to install these tanks by applying to local authorities or the Penang Housing Board.

Additionally, Sundarajoo mentioned the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP), which provides financial support for housing maintenance. Under this scheme, the state government covers 80% of the expenses, with the remaining 20% borne by the JMB or MC, facilitating essential upgrades and maintenance in older housing schemes.

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Penang to enhance affordable housing guidelines

Property News/ 30 May 2024

The Penang government, through the Penang Housing Board (LPNPP), is undertaking a comprehensive review and enhancement of the current guidelines for affordable homes (GPRMM). This initiative is aimed at improving accessibility to homeownership for young people and first-time home buyers, as emphasized by State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu.

During his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly, Sundarajoo highlighted the significance of these revisions. He stated that the updated guidelines would facilitate easier access to suitable housing loans for prospective homeowners. Moreover, special incentives will be offered to housing developers to encourage the development of affordable housing projects, ensuring their sustainability.

The enhanced GPRMM guidelines are expected to be announced by the end of the year, marking a significant step toward addressing housing affordability in Penang. Sundarajoo also recommended that first-time home buyers struggling to secure loans from banks consider applying for a loan scheme under Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan (SJKP). This Federal Government initiative offers financing guarantees of up to 120% for houses valued at up to RM500,000, with loan tenures of up to 35 years. The scheme is particularly beneficial for low-income or middle-income youth and first-time home buyers who lack fixed incomes and payslips.

In addition to these measures, Sundarajoo announced that the Penang government will continue advocating for more People’s Housing Projects (PPRs) in the state. Penang, recognized as one of the highest tax-collecting states, has identified five potential sites for these projects, two on the island and three on the mainland. Preliminary assessments by the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) have led to the selection of a site in the central Seberang Perai district for the PPR project. This site is now awaiting funding approval from the Economy Ministry as part of the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP).

These strategic efforts underscore the Penang government’s commitment to improving housing accessibility and affordability, particularly for the younger generation and first-time home buyers.