Construction of new highways in KL to be limited, JKI to jointly develop affordable homes in Semenyih and more
26th October – 31st October
The approvals for the construction of new highways in Kuala Lumpur will be limited under a traffic master plan aimed at managing road traffic within the capital city during peak hours.
Meanwhile, Jiankun International Bhd (JKI) has agreed to jointly build service apartments and affordable housing units on a freehold site in Semenyih, Selangor.
1) Construction of new highways in KL to be limited
The approvals for the construction of new highways in Kuala Lumpur will be limited under a traffic master plan aimed at managing road traffic within the capital city during peak hours.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah noted that the construction of new highways through city roads that are ‘pass-through traffic’ would cause congestion with the entry of private vehicles in the city centre, reported Bernama.
“But there are highway (networks) in KL that are still disconnected, so the construction of a connecting highway to an existing highway may be considered,” he said.
“Among the highways which have been identified are the KL Northern Dispersal Expressway (KL-NODE), Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway 2A (DUKE 2A) and the New Pantai Expressway Phase 2 (NPE 2).”
The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Master Plan (PITKL) 2040 identified 50 roads which are disconnected and nine roads which need upgrading to improve road network connectivity and traffic dispersion in the city.
2) JKI to jointly develop affordable homes in Semenyih
Jiankun International Bhd (JKI) has agreed to jointly build service apartments and affordable housing units on a freehold site in Semenyih, Selangor.
This comes after JKI’s fully-owned subsidiary Nagamas Bizworks Sdn Bhd entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) with NTL International Sbd Bhd, the owner of the freehold land parcel, reported the New Straits Times.
Located in Taman Anggerik, Bandar Teknologi Kajang, the project – with a gross development value of RM215.1 million – will feature a 37-storey service apartment block with affordable homes, commercial units, facilities as well as a seven-storey car park.
Edwin Silvester Das, JKI’s Executive Director and CEO, said the lack of reasonably priced homes was what prompted the firm to take on the project.
“The development of affordable housing could be costly, given the rising cost of land ownership. However, joint development collaborations such as the one that JKI embarked with NTL International will help lower the development cost,” he said.
Under the agreement, JKI will be responsible for the costs and expenses of the development project, while NTL International will contribute to the land.
Das noted that the JDA would enable the firm to grow its property development projects without having to increase its landbank.
3) Selangor helps low-cost housing residents get insurance
Selangor has introduced a new insurance scheme aimed at helping residents at low-cost housing projects secure insurance, particularly fire insurance.
The Low-Cost Apartment Building Insurance Scheme is under Iltizam Selangor Penyayang (ISP) Programme.
Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS) Commissioner of Building (COB) Unit Head Muhd Zulfiqah Omar noted that most of the low-cost housing projects are not insured due to a lack of funds.
“Selangor is offering funds to those who apply,” he said as quoted by The Star.
“Feedback has been encouraging, and those who have yet to apply can do so at the Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHS).”
He added that the respective councils’ COB would recommend low-cost projects that are in need of insurance.
4) MPKj local draft plan on display, public urged to provide feedback
The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has displayed the amendments to its Local Draft Plan for 2035, with the public encouraged to provide their views, recommendations and objections until 18 November.
Featuring upcoming and existing projects in areas under the purview of the local council, the first amendment to the plan shows changes to the reserve land alignment within the Beranang and Hulu Langat districts as well as the expansions to the Broga Hill forest reserve boundaries, reported The Star.
Maps will also show the latest results on the land rezoning applications by owners, changes made to land status as well as the potential sites for proposed developments.
A representative for a property development firm said displaying the plan is a good way of letting the people know the changes afoot within their area while allowing owners to decide on what to do with their properties or land.
5) Improved workforce capacity for Pan Borneo contractors
Pan Borneo Highway project’s contractors are now working at 90% of their workforce capacity, an improvement from during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when many workers went back to their home countries.
“According to the reports we have received so far, workers from abroad have started coming back (to work),” said Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Malaysia’s caretaker Senior Works Minister as quoted by Bernama.
“Sometimes the process of approving the workers takes a bit of time, but according to our report the number of workers has now increased.”
Covering 786 kilometres, the Pan Borneo Highway project’s phase one involves a cost of RM16.117 billion. It is now 88% completed, with two more sections of the highway set to be opened next month.
