Sites for 10,000 affordable homes in Seremban

KELANA JAYA: 1Malaysia People’s Housing Scheme (PR1MA) has earmarked a few plots of government land as part of its plan to build 10,000 affordable houses in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, within a decade.

PR1MA is also eyeing private andpublic land in Johor, Malacca and Pahang, besides the Klang Valley.

PR1MA is a government unit tasked to build affordable quality homes for the people, with household income of RM3,000 to RM7,500 a month.

“We have identified three plots of federal land in Seremban. Our target is to build about 10,000 PR1MAhouses in Seremban over 10 years,” PR1MA chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias said.

He did not disclose details of its targeted land.

“Our priorities (in building affordable houses) are urban areas in Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan, besides the Klang Valley,” Abdul Mutalib said at a briefing hereyesterday.

Seremban is poised to host PR1MA’s first housing scheme since the PR1MA Act was gazetted in January this year.

The scheme, to be launched on Saturday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will involve 1,200 units of double-storey houses under the first phase.

The three-phase project is sited on some 162ha in the northern part of Seremban, which is being bought gradually from private owners, Abdul Mutalib said.

PR1MA had decided to carry out the project there because there was demand for it, he added.

PR1MA is also finalising plans to launch several projects in Kuala Lumpur. These include a high-rise development at Bandar Tun Razak.

Abdul Mutalib said PR1MA will implement the Industrialised Building System (IBS) mechanism to speed up construction work.

IBS may be costlier than the conventional way but over time, it will be offset by the high volume of units built, he added.

“Of course, initially not all PR1MA projects will use IBS. It will be hybrid-IBS,” he remarked.

Industry observers said IBS would speed up the construction of housing projects by half the time compared with the conventional way, while needing only a third of workers.

The mechanism, however, would see a cost increase of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent.

Abdul Mutalib said PR1MA will ask private property developers to set aside part of their projects to build affordable PR1MA houses.

In return, the developers will be provided with the government’s facilitation fund supervised by the Public Private Partnership Unit.

Abdul Mutalib reiterated that originally, when PR1MA was announced last year, the scheme was only open to a narrow joint-salary band of RM3,000 to RM6,000.

This had created a sandwich group, and hence, the move to broaden the income eligibility to between RM3,000 and RM7,500 a month.

He also reiterated that PR1MA prices will be below market price, and will be the same for everyone, without quotas or discounts of any kind.

There will be a mix of PR1MA landed and medium-rise properties.

By Business Times

Sale of Seremban Parade not done deal

SEREMBAN: THE Seremban Parade has not been sold.

Last June, tycoon Li Ka-Shing's Cheung Kong Group had emerged as the winning bidder of the three shopping complexes put up for sale by TMW Asia Property Fund.

The sale of the other two shopping complexes - Klang Parade in Selangor and Ipoh Parade in Perak - have been completed.

Together, all three malls were reported to have been sold for an estimated RM450 million.

According to sources, the sale of the Seremban Parade to ARA Asia Dragon Fund, an affiliate of Cheung Kong, was not completed as certain conditions were not met.

It is unclear what the price tag is for Seremban Parade, which is reported to have a net lettable area of 316,847 sq ft sitting on 1.97ha land.

The German-based TMW had acquired the three assets in 2005 from the Lion Group for RM340 million.

TMW is managed by Pramerica, the real estate investment management business of Prudential Inc from the United States.

It would be safe to assume that as a fund, TMW would want to make money from the investment it made seven years ago.

Pramerica's other retail properties in Malaysia include Kinta City Shopping Centre in Perak, Island Plaza and 1Avenue in Penang and SSTwo Mall in Selangor.

By Business Times (by Vasantha Ganesan)

L&G to develop RM555mil upscale housing project in Seremban

PETALING JAYA: Land & General Bhd (L&G) plans to develop an upscale residential development with estimated gross development value of RM555mil in Seremban.

L&G told Bursa Malaysia that its wholly-owned subsidiary Bright Term Sdn Bhd had signed a conditional agreement to acquire 10 parcels of land in Seremban with a 27-hole golf course for RM25mil.

The properties, located in the Tuanku Jaafar Golf & Country Resort, would be developed to include bungalow lots, double-storey cluster semi-detached houses, link cluster houses and apartments, L&G said.

It expects gross development profit of RM135.52mil, excluding land cost.

The proposed development, to be completed in 2018, will be financed through internally generated funds and borrowings.

By The Star

Tesco's 36th Malaysian outlet is in Seremban 2

TESCO stores hypermarket chain, the world's third largest retailer, opened its 36th outlet in the country on Monday, in Seremban 2.

The new RM107 million Tesco Extra replaced its old outlet, located a few metres away, with a much bigger building covering 15000 sq m to accommodate the growing demand in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who officiated at the opening ceremony, said the state government is pleased with foreign investors, especially hypermarkets giants like Tesco, opening up their stores in the state as they provide customers a wide range of products at low prices.

"There will be two more outlet openings soon in Senawang and Nilai and another approved project in Lukut, Port Dickson, with close to RM500 million investment in total," he said.

"I hope Tesco would consider opening stores in places such as Bahau to allow the people at the outskirts to enjoy hypermarket experience in their neighbourhood," he added in his speech.

Also present was Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tjeerd Jegen.

Mohamad said small and medium entreprises are protected despite the entry of foreign retailers, as close to 85 per cent of the products sold at Tesco are local products.

"We want to ensure local industries are protected and not left behind," he said.

Jegen, who has been in the country for seven months, said the opening of the new store in Seremban had a special meaning to Tesco Malaysia as it is the birthplace of hypermarket's first ever Extra format.

"Tesco Extra is a completely new format to not only Tesco in Malaysia but also the group worldwide.

"The format supports and caters to the wider needs of small businesses apart from our end-user customers," he said, adding that the total overall direct investment in Malaysia has surpassed the RM4 billion mark.

Jegen said the new outlet boasts a new food court, a play area, 90 tenants and restaurants, more than 60,000 lines of products and 1200 parking lots.

"The store also provides close to 1,000 job opportunites as well as cares for the environment with 20 per cent less carbon emission with less use of air-conditioning and energy-efficient lighting.

"We hope to reduce carbon emission by 50 per cent in 2020 and become carbon-neutral by 2050," he said.

Jegen added that Tesco has created more than 13,000 jobs since its inception in 2001 and hopes to open more stores in the country in the near future.

By Business Times

Hua Yang to launch RM45m Senawang Link

Main board listed property development company Hua Yang Bhd, will launch the Senawang Link, an integrated commercial and industrial development project, in Seremban.

Located on a 11.2 hectare site, it has a gross development value (GDV) of RM45 million.

Construction will begin this month on the Senawang Link, which comprises shop offices, semi-detached factories and industrial lots, the company said in a statement today.

"We have earmarked the Senawang Link as an industrial hotspot, especially for those keen to operate strategically located factories, priced from RM251,000 onwards," said its chief operating officer, Ho Wen Yan.
Strategically located along the main road of Jalan Tampin, the Senawang Link is also just next to the upcoming KTM Sungai Gadut Station, which is expected to be completed by 2010.

Meanwhile, the Senawang Link is part of the RM1 billion worth of development, earmarked by Hua Yang, for this year.

Among the others are One South, a mixed development project with a GDV of RM750 million in Sungai Besi, the RM45 million Seremban Country Heights development, the RM28 million Polo Park exclusive residential area in Johor Bahru as well as the RM200 million Symphony Heights Serviced Apartments venture in Selayang.

By Bernama

RM13 billion 'Space City' near Seremban

SEREMBAN: A “Space City” project costing up to RM13bil, to be financed by a Dubai-based private pension fund from India, is set to take shape near here as early as the end of this year.

The project will be similar, although not in size, cost and lavishness, to Abu Dhabi’s RM750bil Space City project that will be built over the next 10 years.

The local Space City project will be built on 400ha near Bandar Sri Sendayan-Bandar Enstek near here, and close to the KL International Airport, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the Education Ministry’s RM1.2bil complex which will house several institutes and universities, according to Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in an interview.

“The ultra modern project will take shape in phases over 15 years ... among the tallest structures under the first phase will be a skyscraper over 40 storeys high which will be the tallest building in the state,” he said.

“It is going to be built on a totally new concept and will be the nation’s most modern city. It is something that you don’t see anywhere else here,” he said, adding that the memorandum of understanding for the project would be inked in the middle of this year.

He said the pension fund has agreed to the terms and conditions to buy the land from Mentri Besar Inc.

“We have negotiated a deal and everything is in order. In fact the investors were here recently for a due diligence and they were extremely happy with the way the project will be carried out,” he said, adding that the state government did not give the pension fund any incentives for the purchase of the property.

The project, Mohamad said, would not be carried out on a joint venture basis between MBI and the pension fund.

“We only sold them the land based on set conditions and they will be bringing the cash from abroad to finance it. We would not be forking out any cash for the project,” he said.

Mohamad said he had also been briefed by the project’s London-based architects and US-based town planners on details of the project during a visit abroad recently.

He added that the Space City would also house the Formula One City where competing teams would be able to set up their research and development (R&D) and other facilities.

“They would no longer have to stay in Kuala Lumpur when they come here for the race. It can be taxing to have to commute between both points during the race, what more with the congestion in the federal capital,” he said.

At present, these teams use helicopters to ferry their officials from Kuala Lumpur to the F1 track in Sepang.

The first phase of the project would be a mixed development with residential and commercial properties.

“The residential properties would cost more than RM500,000 and locals would be encouraged to invest here. In fact, the developers would also be allowed to sell these properties to foreigners,” Mohamad said.

“What is certain is that the Space City project would help boost the property market here. In fact the former 513 Felda LBJ settlers who became millionaires after they sold their properties would be able to make a lot more if they decide to dispose of the 0.8ha we gave each family,” he added.

The mentri besar said the Space City project would be carried out at the same time as Sime Darby’s Central Vision Valley (CVV) project located some 8 km away.

The CVV project will be carried out on 3,000ha, comprising mixed development, sports and educational institutions.

Mohamad said the proceeds to be raised from the sale of the 400ha would be used by the state government to repay loans taken from the federal government and the Pensions Trust Fund, some of which would mature this year.

By The Star (by SARBAN SINGH)

IJM Land's S2 heights, an extension to Seremban 2 township

SEREMBAN: Situated on elevated land beside the developed Seremban 2 township is S2 Heights, IJM Land's latest property development in Negeri Sembilan's state capital.

S2 Heights covers 600-hectares (1,500 acres) of freehold land.

IJM Land Group Sales and Marketing Manager, Susan Teh said it is being planned as an extension to the Seremban 2 township.

"S2 Heights aims to be the new showcase for a collection of modern homes within a low density neighbourhood. The first phase development of link homes launched less than two years ago, are fully sold," she told Bernama here on Tuesday.

She said purchasers of these homes have received their keys and are are satisfied with the elevated location, breezy air, good view and wide open spaces.

Now, she highlighted, S2 Heights is offering three new residential homes.

These are the much awaited 22' x 70' single storey Lyrica link houses, the 24' x 75' double storey link homes (Symphony 2) and the Sonata double storey semi-detached accommodation.

"These homes are being built in the same tradition that has made Seremban 2 a distinctive neighbourhood, a well planned community of quality homes, extensive facilities and on time delivery.

"Showhouses for these three homes are ready and interested customers are urged to book by December 31 to avoid disappointment, as a very limited units are available at an attractive interest rate," she added.

Susan said the entire S2 Heights development has been conceived to have generous road frontage to reduce traffic congestion within the development.

"One of the many facilities available to S2 Heights residents is a 19-hectare Hill Town Park and a Chinese school. The park will serve not only the residents of the development but the total population of Seremban as well.

"After a leisurely stroll up the park, one can take full advantage of the spectacular view and surrounding greenery, all of which are rare and forgotten experiences in today's hectic lifestyle.

"Being conveniently situated beside Seremban 2, S2 Heights also takes advantage of the existing amenities and facilities provided by the established township, including schools, shopping convenience, F&B outlets, banks, government offices, a sports complex and recreational city park," Susan explained.

By Bernama

RM200mil nursing college to take shape in Bandar Sri Sendayan

PROPERTY developer BSS Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd, expects anchor investor International University College of Nursing (IUCN) to boost the economic development in its new township, Bandar Sri Sendayan in Seremban.

Today, state government agency Menteri Besar Inc of Negeri Sembilan will sign a deal to sell 200 acres in Bandar Sri Sendayan to Run Education Sdn Bhd, the owner and manager of IUCN.

Run Education will invest about RM200mil to build IUCN, Malaysia's first international nursing school.

BSS, in a joint venture with Menteri Besar Inc of Negeri Sembilan, is developing the 5,235-acre Bandar Sri Sendayan, which has a gross development value of RM3bil.

“We believe that the new IUCN campus will accelerate the growth of Bandar Sri Sendayan as well as stir up the local economic activities in Seremban,” Menteri Besar Inc of Negeri Sembilan chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Hasiah Mohd told StarBiz.

He said Menteri Besar Inc is confident of attracting students from neighbouring countries, as IUCN would have a competitive advantage in terms of location, being only 20km from the KL International Airport.

IUCN had a target of 60:40 ratio between international and local students, he added.

BSS managing director Datuk Lee Tian Hock said IUCN expected the first intake of 5,000 students in September next year and hoped to accommodate 20,000 students by 2011.

“We hope IUCN would attract foreign and local students to pursue nursing qualifications in Seremban as the cost of living is relatively lower than the Kuala Lumpur city centre,” he said.

Located in the middle of Bandar Sri Sendayan, the IUCN campus would be developed in two phases and construction was scheduled to start next month, said Lee.

According to him, Bandar Sri Sendayan is expected to have a population of 60,000 when it is fully developed in 15 years.

Meanwhile, BSS and the Negri Sembilan state government agency are currently in talks with a foreign party to sell 1,000 acres for over US$1bil for an integrated tourism-related project.

The deal was expected to be finalised next month, said Mohd Hasiah.

By The Star - StarBiz

RM3.45b rail deal

Indian Railway is expected to call for tenders soon to pick sub-contractors for the double-tracking project stretching from Seremban to Gemas


BETTER RELATIONS: Ong (left) and Prasad after the signing of the contract yesterday.

The award of the RM3.45 billion 100km electrified double-tracking railway from Seremban to Gemas in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia to Indian Railway Construction Co (Ircon) has put to rest a major controversy that had threatened to sour relations between Malaysia and India.

In 2001, the government had awarded a US$3.5 billion (RM11.4 billion) double-tracking project to Ircon, India's national railway company, but withdrew the contract two years later without explanation.

Last year, Malaysia invited Ircon to re-submit its bid, leading to the award of the Seremban-Gemas portion in December.

"I'm happy that relations between India and Malaysia are growing in a comprehensive manner and trends are most positive," India's railway minister Lalu Prasad said at the signing of the contract between the government and Ircon in Putrajaya yesterday.

Prasad said that bilateral trade between Malaysia and India grew 24 per cent to US$8.1 billion (RM26.3 billion) last year, adding that Malaysian firms had been awarded US$6 billion (RM19.5 billion) worth of construction projects in India.

"There will be more opportunities for Malaysian firms in India, especially in infrastructure construction and railway development," he said.

Meanwhile, an Indian official, who declined to be named, suggested that India's idea of building a monorail in Patna, Bihar, which may exceed RM1 billion, could be undertaken jointly with a Malaysian firm, citing Scomi Group Bhd.

"The idea has been presented to the Malaysian government in a meeting held on Thursday. Ircon is now doing a study on the local monorail model to see if it's feasible in complementing India's other modes of transportation," the official told Business Times.

Malaysia's design-and-build double-tracking contract, which will be fully funded by the government, will be implemented in four years.

It will cover 34 river bridges, 27 road bridges, 107 culverts, two viaducts of 1.25km and 0.6km lengths and an 8km tunnel.

Ircon will build the first stretch from Seremban to Sg Gadut in three years, and then from Sg Gadut to Gemas, finishing the lines by July 2010.

The project will benefit Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd as it will be able to extend its commuter services to Gemas instead of making its last stop in Seremban.

Ministry of Transport finance secretary Datuk Tan Kiong Han said that payments to Ircon will be made progressively, adding that the government had issued two payments since the company started works on January 15.

It is learnt that IJM Corp Bhd is the main player for the railway job and that Ircon will call for tenders soon to appoint sub-contractors.

By New Straits Times (by Sharen Kaur)

Seremban set to become a city

SEREMBAN is on its way to be declared a city on Sept 9 next year, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Hasan: 'We are also waiting for the Seremban Municipal Council and Nilai Municipal Council to merge'.

He said the state government has written to the Housing and Local Government Ministry on this and was expecting a favourable reply.

“We are also waiting for the Seremban Municipal Council and Nilai Municipal Council to merge. Once this is done, we could be considered for city status,” he said.

Mohamad said with the merge, Seremban would have more than the required population to be declared a city.

“We would also be eligible as the revenue earned by both councils would be sufficient to run a city,” he said.

The combined population of Seremban and Nilai at present is slightly above 500,000.

The population in Nilai skyrocketed following the setting up of several research and educational institutions such as the Nilai Cancer Institute, Inti International Univer-sity College, Nilai International University College and Kolej Universiti Islam Sains Malaysia had set up operations there.

Once declared, Seremban would be the 13 city in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Ipoh, Shah Alam, Malacca, Alor Star, Petaling Jaya, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching North, Kuching South, Miri and Kuala Terengganu.

“Once Seremban becomes a city, the people here would enjoy more benefits which includes higher allocations from the Federal government for development purposes,” he said.

Asked if the assessment and quit rent would be increased once Seremban is declared a city, Mohamad said there was no such plan.

On a separate matter, Mohamad said the state government has also instructed the Department of Environment to monitor the construction of the RM100mil centralised pig farm in Sepang.

“We asked the DOE to check if we (the state) would face environmental problems once the facility is in operation. If it doesn’t, then we have no objection to the relocation of the pig farm near our border,” he added,

On financial aid for poor families in the state, Mohamad said to date, some 10,500 families had received assistance from the state government.

“We would be giving aid to another 1,500 families very soon,” he said, adding that this was part of the state government’s social safety net scheme.

By The Star (by Sarban Singh)