DNR: How to locate the owner of the abandoned house in Malaysia?

#1. Ask the neighbours

#2. Go to the assessment section to check the owner and address 

*If the house is within the jurisdiction of the municipality, local council or district council

#3. Go to the land office to do a title search on the property, which will reveal the ownership of the title. Then, check for the owner's contact details and contact

*If the house is outside the jurisdiction of the municipality, local council or district council  

Owner is deceased:

#1. Appoint a lawyer to make checks at the central probate registry at the High Courts to verify whether the family members of the deceased have filed for a petition for a grant of probate (where the deceased died leaving a will)

OR

for letters of administration (where the deceased died intestate)

#2. Make enquiries at the Amanah Raya Office for confirmation

#3. Having established the identities of the beneficiaries to the deceased estate, one can approach them and negotiate the offer to purchase

DNR: Build-then-sell (BTS) concept in Malaysia by 2015

All housing developers are compulsory to practice the build-then-sell (BTS) concept by 2015. In this way, the buyers will need to pay a 10% deposit and the remaining 90% will be paid only after construction is complete.

There are already four government-linked companies (GLC) involved in housing development have agreed to implement the build-then-sell (BTS) concept earlier starting next year. This will definitely reduce the number of victims of abandoned housing projects.   

DNR: Chua was wrong, claimed Mr. Lim Guan Eng

Mr. Lim Guan Eng has claimed that the statistics provided by Mr. Chua Soi Lek is not true, accurate and reliable. “In fact, the median price is the standard and common way of comparing any housing projects instead of highest price,” he said. He has provided another statistics table using the median price as a standard in comparing the housing projects.

DNR: Properties in Penang only for the rich, says Chua

The Penang Government has come under fire for depriving more than 100,000 local families of the chance to own houses on the island.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the properties on Penang island were now beyond the reach of those earning below RM7, 000. “It seems that Penang island is now only meant for the rich.” Dr Chua said this in response to the Valuation and Property Services Department statistics.

Chua also lambasted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for misleading the public into thinking that the state was doing well based on the size of its coffers. “They (the DAP-led state government) go around proudly showing how much they have collected. But generating revenue from the sale of land is not sustainable, especially in a land-scarce state like Penang.

“Income from sale of land should be regarded as extraordinary gain, as it is certainly not recurrent, sustainable or long term,” he said. Dr Chua said the claims by some quarters that people in Penang were happy with the state government were a mere illusion.

“Reality will hit them when the majority starts pushing for decent, affordable homes,” he said.

DNR: Buy your home in Penang NOW!

檳州房地產商公會主席拿督陳福星在週日上午，為Property Guru舉辦的產業展覽會主持開幕時指出，目前房貸利息低，在未來通貨膨漲及洋灰不斷漲價情況下，他勸請欲購買房屋者趕在屋價大起前出手。他說，檳島土地有限，但由於島上擁有各方面的設施，加上工作機會也多，所以許多人都選擇在這里工作、生活及居住，這情況也導致檳島的房產價格居高不下。

“預料在未來電費將會漲價情況下，將牽連使到通貨膨漲，這也包括建築成本的提高。” 
他說，“建築重要材料之一的洋灰，其價格也不斷在上漲。”

此次產業展覽會一連展出兩天，即週六及日，共有8家發展商參展，包括恆大置地公司。根據週六的參觀人數，每21人中就有1人訂購房屋，成績比在新加坡的每24名參觀者有1人訂購還要好。

Chinese to English Translation

Seeking advice on whether or not to buy a house in Penang right now? There is a suggestion from Dato' Jerry Chan Fook Sing who is the chairman of Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia for Penang Branch. He pointed out that the people who want to buy a house have to decide faster due to the following factors:

#1. Current mortgage interest rate is still low

#2. The likelihood of inflation in the future due to rise in 

   electric price

#3. Continuously rising in cement prices

Both inflation and construction costs are positively correlated with the property prices. 

In addition, there is a strong demand and short supply of Penang properties which lead to high property prices that will never be able to drop due to the following conditions found in Penang:

#1. Insufficient land - short supply

#2. Various public facilities - strong demand 

#3. Plenty of job opportunities - strong demand 

DNR: Penang Property prices soar

Property prices have shot up by about three-fold in Penang because of an increase in surcharges imposed by the Pakatan Rakyat-led government, claimed a former council official. According to former Penang Municipal Council's Town Planning Department acting director Khoo Boo Soon, the additional cost imposed on developers were eventually passed on to buyers, hence the drastic increase in property prices.

They include the increases in infrastructure contribution and re-zoning fees, and contribution of RM120,000 per unit in lieu of building low-cost homes.

The infrastructure contribution charge has been increased from RM5 per sq ft to RM15 each for housing projects exceeding 15 units per acre while the infrastructure contribution is increased from RM7 to RM21 per sq ft for every unit for commercial projects.

The re-zoning fee had been increased from 25% to 50% on the difference based on the current value, he said.

“The fee is imposed by the council. But the state government also charges the developer 50% on conversion of state-owned land.

Khoo said the lack of affordable homes had adversely affected the low and middle-income groups which made up more than 80% of the population. It is also difficult for the younger generation to own homes as the price range in Penang is beyond their means.

“What is the point of building more high-end homes when the majority of Penangites could not afford them?” he said.

“During the era of (former chief minister) Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the Government compelled the developers to build low and medium-cost homes.

“But the current government under (DAP's) Lim Guan Eng seems to be more interested in filling up the state coffers rather than meeting the needs of the people,” said Khoo.

The Property Stock Report for the first quarter of this year showed that the house prices in Penang had far exceeded the 2014 price projected by Penang Institute's City, Urbanisation and Environment head Stuart MacDonald.

Valuation and Property Services Department data shows a drastic increase in residential property prices between the first quarter of last year and this year. In an immediate response, Penang Housing Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said he had forwarded the queries on surcharges to the Penang Municipal Council.

“The State Planning Committee can make such decisions, but ultimately it is the council that implements them,” he said.

DNR: Government committed to building more affordable homes

The Government is committed to build more affordable homes for squatters and those earning RM 2,500 and below to ensure that this group has the opportunity to own homes within the next 1 to 2 years.

Deputy director-general (Development) of the National Housing Department (JPN) Datuk Mohamad Yusoff Ghazali said that as of Aug 31, 2012 the department had built 65,550 units of houses under the People's Housing Programme (PPR) and 39,000 units would be built under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

"The Government is aware that currently the cost of houses in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru have gone up especially those costing RM 400,000. "The Government had implemented various programmes through the 1Malaysia Housing Corporation (PR1MA), Syarikat Perumahan Nasional Berhad (SPNB) and JPN to tackle issues on affordable homes.

DNR: Developer to offer more affordable homes

Realising dreams: (From left) LBS executive director Datuk Daniel Lim Hock Sing, Hock San and management members Datuk Joey Lim Hock Guan and Datuk Barry Lim Hock Seong posing together after launching the Cameron Golden Hills project

Property developer, LBS Bina Group Berhad (LBS) has committed to building 6,000 affordable housing units nationwide in the next two years and will focus on high-rise residential units. This is in line with ongoing efforts and direction by the Malaysian Government who hope that everyone is given the chance to own their home. Its managing director Datuk Lim Hock San said the company would launch more affordable homes in the Klang Valley, Cameron Highlands, Ipoh and Batu Pahat.

LBS launched its newest residential development named Somerset Holiday Apartments located in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, yesterday. “The five-storey shop apartment also marked the unveiling of LBS' latest nature-inspired township known as Cameron Golden Hills which is situated between Brinchang and Tanah Rata. “In conjunction with the launch, the apartment buyers will receive 8% rebate for their unit and early birds will also get free legal fees on their loan agreement,” said Lim.

Lim said Cameron Highlands was chosen for this latest development as it is a favourite holiday spot for local and foreign tourists. The first two blocks of Somerset Holiday Apartments namely Somerset I and Somerset II contain 92 and 64 apartment units respectively. Both blocks in the Somerset Square area have built-up areas of between 883sq ft and 1389sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Inspired by Tudor features, the units are priced from RM385,800. Both of the Somerset I and Somerset II apartments are estimated to be completed in the year 2015. 

DNR: MKH to gain from MRT project

Mass appeal: Chen posing with a model of the company’s property development project in Kajang

MKH Bhd (formerly Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd) will derive considerable leverage from the mass rapid transit (MRT) line which runs close to its property developments and the two MRT stations that will be coming up in Kajang.

MKH is expected to gain from the MRT project given their strategic landbank of 500 acres to 600 acres in Kajang and Semenyih, excluding the 550 acres turnkey project in Puncak Alam, Selangor.

The company is planning to launch properties with an estimated gross development value of more than RM5bil over the next seven years in Kajang and Semenyih, including its Puncak Alam RM135mil turnkey project from Puncak Alam Resources Sdn Bhd. They are targeting to launch their Puncak Alam’s mixed development which will include affordable housing by year-end or early next year. The group managing director Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi said that the year 2017 will be significant as our Puncak Alam project will be completed and the MRT line in Kajang will be up and running thus enhancing the value of our residential and commercial developments.     

Despite competition heating up with the entrance of new and bigger players in Kajang and Semenyih like SP Setia Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd and Sunway Group, Chen said MKH’s cutting edge would be its land cost, which was considerably lower than its competitors and its reputation on a home turf. 

DNR: Large Japanese firms still keen to invest in Malaysia

There are more large Japanese companies intend to continue investing in Malaysia and also participate in major government projects, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He further added that Japanese companies were keen to increase their investments in Malaysia, particularly, in technology-driven and manufacturing industries. 

"In fact, the small and medium-sized Japanese companies are entering into joint ventures with Malaysian companies in areas like the manufacture of automotive component parts", he said on the sidelines of "The Look East Policy - A New Dimension & MAJECA-JAMECA 31st Conference". 

He said Japanese companies were also keen to take part in specific areas of infrastructure development, such as high speed railway project. Other than Japanese companies, there are still many other countries seeking to cooperate with Malaysia on this project. "But the tender is still open and we are looking for potential partners with the technology and financial capabilities for this project", he added. Nevertheless, he said Japan had an advantage as the country was the first in the world to introduce the bullet train technology.

Meanwhile, on trade between both countries; Mustapa was confident that the trade surplus with Japan which has been in Malaysia's favour since 1997 would continue. He also said that despite the current economic headwinds globally, Malaysia was actually still enjoying a trade surplus with other countries of late. "Malaysia is registering at least a RM6 billion surplus per month for the past few months from our total trade globally", Mustapa added.

DNR: Dijaya lines up more projects for 2013

Dijaya Corporation Bhd, which signed the agreements for its commercial paper/medium term notes (CP/MTN) programme of up to RM500 million yesterday, said it has RM2 billion worth of projects in the pipeline for 2013. Its executive director Kwong Wai Seng said the projects are spread over the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor and Sabah. Most of Dijaya's projects in the pipeline are serviced apartments or smaller-sized units priced at RM 500,000 and below following the current trend for affordable homes and the central bank's tighter loan guidelines.