PR1MA Rantau buyers to finally get keys to homes, Sungai Buaya settlers want answer over status of their land and more
8th November – 14th November
The 742 buyers at the PR1MA housing project in Residensi Bandar Ekar, Rantau can look forward to collecting the keys to their housing units as the project is set to be completed in March 2023.
Meanwhile, the 363 Felda settlers who were given 189.27ha of land in Kampung Sungai Buaya, Rawang, in 2009 are seeking answers over the status of their land.
1) PR1MA Rantau buyers to finally get keys to homes
The 742 buyers at the PR1MA housing project in Residensi Bandar Ekar, Rantau, can look forward to collecting the keys to their housing units as the project is set to be completed in March 2023.
Noorazli Haron, a representative of PR1MA Corporation Malaysia, revealed that the housing project is now 80.96% complete, reported Bernama.
One of the buyers, Tay Ching En Marcus, said the completion of the project would reduce his financial burden as well as allow him to push through with his wedding.
The 34-year-old assistant professor’s wedding was postponed in 2019 as the house is not yet ready for occupation.
“Then, we used to have regular meetings with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, and we also have a Telegram group with other buyers to discuss any problems that arose. I don’t know why the construction was abandoned,” he said.
“However, PR1MA informed us that the project will be completed in March next year, so I’m confident that we will get our house key soon, and I can also proceed with my wedding.”
The 766-unit project kicked off in 2017 and was initially set for completion in January 2019.
2) Sungai Buaya settlers want answer over status of their land
The 363 Felda settlers who were given 189.27ha of land in Kampung Sungai Buaya, Rawang, in 2009 are seeking answers over the status of their land.
Notably, the settlers were given the land plots as compensation after the state acquired their land for development, reported The Star.
In fact, titles for the land were presented to them by then Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali in April 2018.
“Many of us have cultivated the land. Some even built houses on the plots,” said settler Rosli Busu.
However, when they checked the status of their land with the Hulu Selangor District Office, they discovered that changes had been made to the locations of their lots.
“The new plan showed that some of the settlers were allocated land in other areas nearby while others were not given lots at all,” shared Rosli.
“We lodged a police report at the Serendah police station on 28 September 2020, and even sent a letter to the Selangor Mentri Besar on 27 July 2020, but received no response,” he added.
Efforts to meet the Hulu Selangor district officer also proved to be futile.
“Our queries are simple. We want to know the status of the land,” said settler Datuk Nagoor Sahlan.
3) Economists believe Malaysia on track to full economic recovery
In view of the strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth seen in the third quarter of 2022, economists believe Malaysia’s economy is on track for a full recovery.
Notably, Malaysia saw its GDP grow 14.2% in Q3 2022.
According to Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff, Associate Professor at Putra Business School, while the double-digit growth was expected, the 14.2% figure was a nice surprise, reported Bernama.
“The percentage increase compared to Q2 was even higher than the percentage increase in 2019, pre-pandemic,” he said.
He pointed out that the GDP value of RM383.8 billion is the highest ever recorded in any quarter.
He shared that the World Bank forecasted a GDP growth of 4.2% for Malaysia next year, while the government also had a similar target of about 4% to 4.5%.
“In my opinion, Malaysia will continue to register positive GDP growth in 2023 and could even reach 5% provided we have a stable government after the 15th General Election,” he said.
“This could help weather multiple possible external global threats such as a global economic slowdown, continuing Russia-Ukraine crisis, US-China tariff war and global climate change,” added Ahmed Razman.
4) RM16mil multipurpose sports complex to rise in Puchong
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) has held the groundbreaking ceremony for an RM16.25 million multipurpose sports complex – which is a first for the town.
To be built in Jalan Persiaran Indera in Pusat Bandar Puchong, the sports complex is expected to be completed in August 2024, reported The Star. It will feature a multipurpose court that can be used for badminton, basketball and futsal.
“The multipurpose courts can also be converted into a futsal court measuring 42mx25m, with a 1,018 seating capacity,” said Subang Jaya Mayor Datuk Johary Anuar.
“Other facilities inside the complex will include a changing room, judges’ room, guest room, media room, management office, toilets and prayer room.”
Outdoor facilities, on the other hand, include a jogging track, parking lot, playground and ancillary building.
5) PH promises to take over maintenance of low-cost flats
Pakatan Harapan has promised to take over maintenance work for low-cost flats in case it wins the general election (GE15) as well as form the next federal government.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran noted that maintenance work for such flats is usually the responsibility of the joint management bodies or management committees, reported Free Malaysia Today.
“However, those living in low-cost flats face difficulties in forming their own management committees,” he said.
“This is because the majority of them do not attend their annual general meetings and those who do attend have no intention of being part of the committee.”
With this, PH aims to improve the standard of living of those staying in low-cost flats across Malaysia.
“You can search online and see the terrible, dirty conditions at some of these flats. Every Malaysian deserves to live in dignity, even the poorest of us all,” said Rajiv.
He pointed out that if the government can take care of the maintenance of drains and streets, then it could also do the same for low-cost flats.
On whether maintaining such flats would be costly, Rajiv believes it will not exceed RM1 billion.
6) Selangor to build 45,000 affordable homes
In a bid to boost homeownership among middle-income earners, the state government of Selangor plans to build over 45,000 Rumah Idaman units across several areas within the state.
“They include districts such as Petaling, Gombak, Kuala Langat, Klang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam,” said Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) CEO Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim at the launch of Rumah Idaman Melur.
Set for completion in Q4 2026, the development comprises over 1,400 units priced at RM250,000 each, reported by The Star.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari shared that the development was a joint project between PNSB and LBS Bina Group Bhd, via its subsidiary MGB Bhd.
At 1,000 sq ft, each unit – which will be partially furnished – will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The homes form part of the 5,000 Rumah Idaman units that were either completed or currently under construction.
