Surin contractor Wabina warns complainants

 Development issues, Environment, Housing, Malaysian finance/business  23 Responses »
Nov 122009
 

The main contractor for the controversial Surin hill-slope condominium project in Tanjung Bunga has responded to neighbouring residents who had written in to express their unhappiness about the construction work. The management committee of the Straits Regency complex nearby had complained about nauseating fumes, noisy generators and construction work at night. In a tersely worded letter dated 15 October, Wabina Construction and Engineering Sdn Bhd managing director Loh Geok Beng responded that the fumes from the generators were not poisonous and that the firm had abided by Penang Municipal Council guidelines. He added that the noise from the generators and excavators was “reasonable” and “expectable” considering the work being done.

Commercial property glut in Penang

 Development issues, Housing, Malaysian finance/business  22 Responses »
Nov 062009
 

While more property development projects are in the pipeline, the research unit of a local bank, CIMB Research, has reportedly warned of a “significant” commercial property glut in Penang. From an Edge report: Occupancy rates: Office space: 76% (the lowest in Malaysia) Retail space: <70% (second lowest in Malaysia) “There appears to be a significant glut in Penang, which would worsen if more office and retail space were built.” Beach hotels: 63% (3rd quarter, 2009) George Town hotels: 68% Hotels outside city: 37%

Closed-door meetings between CM and PCCC

 Development issues, Housing  51 Responses »
Nov 062009
 

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has had a couple of “closed-door meetings” with the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) during which issues close to the heart of developers and the housing industry were raised. “The meetings have brought fruitful result to both party and it has achieved a win-win situation,” remarked the PCCC on its website. Really? Read through the minutes of these two closed-door meetings carefully and draw your own conclusions. Pay close attention to the discussion on the threshold for the provision of low-cost housing, back-lanes, building setback minimum distances and major house renovations. You will get an indication of what the developers are seeking and what could be in store for the rest of us. First meeting, 17 July 2009 Second meeting, 13 August 2009

Kg Tanjung Tokong: A closer look inside

 Development issues, Housing, Malaysian history  24 Responses »
Nov 032009
 

Rahmah Ali is not a happy woman. In fact, this feisty Tanjung Tokong villager is upset over Uda Holdings’ plans to demolish the houses in her kampung and ‘develop’ the area. “Hati geram!” she says. Photos by Anil (Click on icon on bottom right to switch to full-screen slideshow mode) Seated at the dining table inside her hundred-year-old wooden house, Rahmah says she has lived here since she was born. I ask her, somewhat untactfully, how old she is. “Sama dengan Mahathir,” the widow replies, in a matter-of-fact tone. That would make her 84, but her razor-sharp mind shows no sign of slowing down. Hers is not the usual wooden kampung house; the beams inside are solid, probably hardwood similar to cengal or merbau.

Kg Tg Tokong villagers: Fulfil Razak’s promise

 Housing, Marginalised groups  15 Responses »
Oct 292009
 
Kg Tg Tokong villagers: Fulfil Razak's promise

Kg Tanjung Tokong villagers are appealing to Prime Minister Najib Razak to fulfil his father’s promise for their village. Razak’s vision as reported in The Straits Echo, 11 April 1972 – Photo by Anil During a visit to the village in 1972 accompanied by Dr Lim Chong Eu, then premier Abdul Razak told villagers that he understood that they were “not the owners of the land” but only “temporary residents” of the 200-year-old settlement.  Nevertheless, he was reported as saying, the government planned to make them settle there permanently.

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