Jan
04
In The News

Week 2 - 2025


MELAKA RECORDS INVESTMENTS WORTH RM5 BILLION AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024

The Edge, 08/01/2025

Melaka recorded encouraging investments of RM5 billion as of September 2024. The amount comprised RM0.8 billion in foreign investment and RM4.2 billion from domestic investors. The need for continuous efforts is to attract investors to the state, especially in the tourism sector with Melaka once again capturing global attention this September being the host for World Tourism Day and the World Tourism Conference 2025.

 


 

SELANGOR PLEDGES TO CUT RED TAPE

The Star, 07/01/2025

Planning approval within 14 days for land development is a new goal set by the Selangor government. Currently, the process took between three-and-a-half months and six months. To achieve this goal, the state government is planning to update the One Stop Centre 3.0 Plus guidelines on planning and land development approvals to include the best practices, standardise the guidelines to be used across all local authorities in the state. The OSC 3.0 Plus guideline is expected to be ready in six months.

One of the problems often occurred by the stakeholders include delays due to documentation issues and inconsistencies of the guidelines and practices between different local authorities in the State.

 


 

GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENING STRATA TITLES ACT

The Edge, 09/01/2025

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability is in the midst of improving the Strata Titles Act 1985 (Act 318) to address issues related to strata housing, particularly for low- and medium-low-cost units. The amendments are being made through engagement sessions with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, local authorities, and relevant agencies, including the Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), the National Housing Department, and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia.

This step is taken to ensure that the strata schemes being developed would meet the legal requirements, including the preparation of strata title documents. Special buildings refer to buildings occupied between June 1996 and April 11, 2007, as classified by the state authorities.

The problems often occurred when developers failed to apply for subdivision of the building for strata title registration due to the lack of necessary documents or because the developers had ceased operations. This situation forces strata unit buyers to bear additional costs, including quit rent arrears, land premium payments, measurement fees, and strata title applications.

 


 

KUMPULAN KITACON SECURES RM66 MILLION RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN SUNGAI BULOH

The Edge, The Star & NST, 07/01/2025

Kumpulan Kitacon Bhd has secured a RM65.68 million residential construction contract in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Kitacon Sdn Bhd, accepted the letter of award from KL-Kepong Country Homes Sdn Bhd for the construction and completion of bungalows located at Lot 851, Precinct 4C1, Bandar Seri Coalfields. The project is slated to be completed within 20 months, starting from the commencement date on 3rd February 2025.

 


 

KERJAYA PROSPEK WINS RM256 MILLION CONTRACT IN SHAH ALAM FOR E&O’S UNIT

The Edge, The Star, NST & The Sun, 07/01/2025

Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd has secured a RM256.4 million contract from Eastern & Oriental Express Sdn Bhd (E&OE) to undertake construction works in Elmina West, Shah Alam, Selangor. The scope of the project, secured through its wholly owned subsidiary Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd, includes the construction of 360 units of three-storey terrace houses, alongside a clubhouse, landscaping works, and other related infrastructure. The project will be delivered in three phases, with construction slated to begin on 20th January 2025, and due for completion within 26 months.

 


 

VISIT PERAK YEAR GETS BIG AYE

The Star, 10/01/2025

Over eight million tourists visited Perak in 2024, making the Visit Perak Year 2024 (VPY 2024) campaign a success. The pandemic temporarily dampened figures that dropped from seven million tourists in 2017 to just three million in 2021. Perak has since rebounded strongly in 2024. The number of foreign tourists visiting the state in 2024 increased by 135% (627,292 tourists between January and September 2024), compared to the 267,245 tourists recorded in 2017.  This surge highlights the growing interest in Perak as an international travel destination.

The top performing district in Perak last year was district Kinta, recording 2,755,915 visitors who were especially drawn to popular destinations of Ipoh and Batu Gajah. This is followed by Manjung with 2,077,771 visitors, who visited places like Lumut and Pangkor island. Next is district of Larut, Matang and Selama, which recorded 940,030 visitors, with the historical charm of Taiping continuing to captivate travellers.

About 105,000 tourists entered Perak through the Pengkalan Hulu land border, while the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh recorded 63,974 arrivals. Travellers are mainly from neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as, from Australia, China and India.

 


 

MALAYSIA ANNOUNCES TAX INCENTIVES FOR JOHOR-SINGAPORE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

The Edge, 08/01/2025, NST & The Star, 09/01/2025

Investors in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) are eligible for a suite of incentives, including a special corporate tax rate that takes effect on Jan 1, 2025. Companies making new investments in qualifying manufacturing and services such as in artificial intelligence and quantum computing supply chain, medical devices, aerospace manufacturing and global services hub, will enjoy a special tax rate of 5% for up to 15 years. Besides that, additional tailor-made incentives are allocated to businesses operating in certain flagship areas in JS-SEZ. And lastly, eligible knowledge workers working in JS-SEZ are entitled to a special tax rate of 15% for 10 years.

In addition to the tax incentive package, the Johor state government had agreed to introduce lower entertainment duties starting from Jan 1, 2025. The JS-SEZ tax incentive package complements the New Investment Incentive Framework announced in Budget 2025 which aims to propel investments in high-growth, high-value and sustainable industries to stimulate equitable economic development across Malaysia.

To facilitate an expedient and more convenient investment application process in JS-SEZ, the government has set up the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor to coordinate the end-to-end investment-related process, which includes applications and approvals, investment facilitation, and reinvestment. Further details on the tax incentives and the flagship zones will be announced in due course.

 


 

GEMAS-JB ELECTRIFIED DOUBLE-TRACK RAIL ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION IN 3Q25

NST & The Edge, 08/01/2025

The highly anticipated Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Rail Project (Gemas-JB EDTP) is on track for completion by 3Q25. Once completed, the project would facilitate trade services between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, positioning it as a key catalyst for enhancing connectivity and driving economic growth in the region. The Gemas-JB EDTP is a 192km electric train service project covering four major districts in Johor, namely Segamat, Kluang, Kulai and Johor Bahru. It will reduce travel time from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur to four and a half hours from the previous seven hours. 

The other two major projects are expected to be completed by 2026, namely the Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System (RTS) Station, an elevated terminal station currently under construction in Johor Bahru, and the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which will connect the Klang Valley to the East Coast.

 


 

PENANG SECURES RM31 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS IN 2024

The Edge, 07/01/2025 & The Star, 08/01/2025

Penang has achieved several significant milestones in 2024, showcasing strong economic growth and social development, including attracting investments totalling RM31.38 billion. These investments are expected to create over 6,600 job opportunities, particularly in the high-value manufacturing sector, advanced services and modern agriculture.

Penang also recorded the third-highest compliance rate for Employees Provident Fund contributions nationwide at 99.15% and solidified its position as a leading medical tourism hub in South-East Asia.

As of Dec 2, 2024, 306 projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) have been approved for Penang, including 246 new initiatives under the 4th Rolling Plan and 60 continuation projects, with a total cost of RM28.4 billion. RM1.35 billion was allocated for 2024, of which RM1.11bil, or 81.76%, has been utilised. Under the 5th Rolling Plan of the 12MP, 10 priority projects have been listed in the Penang State Wishlist Module within the MyProjek System. Of these, eight projects have been accepted for consideration by the Economy Ministry.

 


 

AFFORDABLE TOWNHOUSES’ ROLLED OUT

The Star & The Sun, 07/01/2025

Penang has introduced a new affordable housing category based on the ‘co-house’ concept in Permatang Tinggi. State housing and environment committee chairman said this is the first time the state, through the Penang Housing Board (LPNPP), is building terraced homes or landed houses with a townhouse design under the C3 Affordable Housing (RMM) category. The project known as RMM Permatang Tinggi located on Lot 33917, Mukim 14, Permatang Tinggi, is priced at a maximum of RM250,000 per unit. It involves the construction of 664 RMM units on a-25 acre plot of land. The development will employ the industrialised building system, where components are prefabricated, and is expected to be completed by 2028. The RMM will be rebranded as Rumah MutiaraKu, symbolising Penang’s unofficial nicknames of Pearl of the Orient and Pearl Island. The official launch of Rumah MutiaraKu is expected to take place later in January 2025, with the exact date to be announced later.