Sabah to conduct legalisation process of PPR units, Country Garden denies JMB’s ‘illegal AGM’ claim and more
27th June – 3rd July
The local government of Sabah, along with the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) and the Housing Ministry, will conduct a legalisation process of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) units.
Meanwhile, Country Garden Danga Bay Sdn Bhd has denied the allegations of a luxury condominium’s joint management body (JMB) that the annual general meeting (AGM) conducted by the developer was illegal.
1. Sabah to conduct legalisation process of PPR units
The local government of Sabah, along with the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) and the Housing Ministry, will conduct a legalisation process of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) units.
To be implemented for PPR units under the LPPB, the move is aimed at ensuring that only those eligible and in need are staying in such units as well as to prevent tenants from profiting from their units by subletting them, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II and State Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Joachim Gunsalam.
The legalisation process follows a LPPB circular ordering tenants of more than 10 years to vacate their PPR units, reported Bernama.
Joachim explained that the vacate order only applies to tenants who have lost their eligibility to stay in the PPR units.
Among the reasons to lose eligibility include having a monthly income of more than RM3,000, acquiring their own homes, subletting the PPR units, owing arrears and using the unit as a homestay, he said.
Eligible tenants who want to continue to stay in the PPR units after the 10-year period can request for an extension from LPPB, subject to the Minister of Local Government and Housing’s approval, he added.
2. Country Garden denies JMB’s ‘illegal AGM’ claim
Country Garden Danga Bay Sdn Bhd has denied the allegations of a luxury condominium’s joint management body (JMB) that the annual general meeting (AGM) conducted by the developer was illegal.
The JMB of Royal Strand & Loveall claimed that the unit owners of the luxury condominium did not receive due notice relevant to the conduct of the AGM, reported Free Malaysia Today.
“We have complied with the relevant provisions of the Strata Management Act and sent a written notice to the owners by registered mail not less than 14 days before the date of the annual general meeting,” said the company, adding that a copy of the written notice was posted at the development’s announcement board.
Country Garden said it was the JMB that failed in its duty to conduct an AGM at least 15 months from the previous AGM as per the Strata Management Act.
“On 31 January 2023, the 15-month period had lapsed and to date, the JMB has not called for the AGM for the year 2022,” said the company.
3. PNB to relocate to Merdeka 118 tower by end-2023
Permodalan Nasional Bhd is set to move from its current headquarter in Menara PNB, Jalan Tun Razak, to Menara Merdeka 118.
Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn, President and Group Chief Executive of PNB, said the relocation will start in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“We will be fully operational in the new office by the end of the year,” said Zulqarnain.
Merdeka 118 is owned by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd, which is PNB’s fully-owned subsidiary, reported Free Malaysia Today.
Constructed in three phases, Merdeka 118 features 400,000 sq m of residential, commercial and hotel space.
PNB will occupy 17 floors of the 678.9m-high building, which is considered the world’s second tallest building after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The skyscraper is also surrounded by 1.6ha of parks.
Maybank is also set to relocate to Merdeka 118 from its present location in Menara Maybank in Q1 2025. The bank will occupy 33 floors, spanning 60,300 sq m.
4. No ban on short-term rentals in Penang
Airbnb clarified that the Penang state government did not implement a ban on short-term rental accommodation (STRA), instead it only issued a guideline.
The hosting service statement comes after it was reported that the state had banned STRAs at residential units on Penang island, except for small office and home offices as well as serviced apartments, among others.
Mich Goh, Airbnb’s Public Policy Head for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said the guidelines, known as Stata Act 2013, essentially outline what types of by-laws to enact.
“To finalise the decision making, it must obtain the approval of their respective management bodies with a 75% ‘yes’ vote from other owners at an AGM to pass the by-law,” said Goh.
She noted that a restriction of ban on STRA is especially detrimental to Malaysia, given that medical tourists and digital nomads are big now, reported The Malaysian Reserve.
Goh said STRA will encourage travellers to stay longer in the country, allowing local businesses from laundromats to food and beverage outlets to benefit from tourism’s trickle-down effects.
5. Fajarbaru partners Penang Development Corp to develop ‘Medi-City Bandar Cassia’
Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for the development of a medical city and mixed-use development hub in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan.
Tentatively known as ‘Medi-City Bandar Cassia’, the project will occupy a 230-acre site, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure and various facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, corporate suites and medical campuses, reported The Malaysian Reserve.
The development will also have non-medical elements such as residential areas, retail, hotels and a commercial hub.
Fajarbaru Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sri Eric Kuan Khian Leng expects the development to significantly enhance the value of land within Bandar Cassia as well as generate long-term recurring income and employment opportunities.
Aside from its immense potential for employment and economic growth, the development also positions Penang as a regional and global leader in healthcare and technology.
