In Depth stories

The downturn in the Johor property market could be the right time to invest.

Recapping 2016, which is similar to 2015, property companies continued to underperform on the FBM KLCI Index with average return of -5% as compared with FBM KLCI at -3% for the year 2016.

Its strong reputation for mass rapid transit Line 1 and the project delivery partner (PDP) appointment for the Penang Transport Master Plan provide it with leverage for other large-multiplier projects such as light rail transit 3, Gemas-Johor Baru double tracking and Pan Borneo Highway Sabah.

Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust has acquired an industrial asset in Shah Alam for RM91.5 million from Champion Edge Sdn Bhd with a long-term lease of 18 years.

Considering the negative outlook for the property sector in the year of the Fire Rooster, founder of Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics Datuk Joey Yap says two of the best things to do this year is to acquire assets and new skills.

49%-owned Muhibbah Engineering Middle East LLC has won a contract from the Economic Zones Company of Qatar (Manateq) to undertake the construction of roads and infrastructure works at Um Alhoul Economic Zone (QEZ-3) Phase 2.1 for a total contract sum of RM438.1 million.

The market is rife with speculations on whether private residential prices are bottoming out, and there are positive signs that are fanning hopes. Developers sold 7,551 condominiums and apartments in 2016, more than 2015’s figure of 6,895 units, based on caveats lodged up to early December 2016. Including landed homes and executive condominiums (ECs), primary sales were up 15% y-o-y from 9,957 to 11,430.

Turning 125 is a milestone for Singapore’s oldest architectural practice, Swan & Maclaren, which was founded in 1892. While some veteran local architects bemoan the heartbreak of seeing the buildings they designed 30 to 40 years ago become victims of collective sales and replaced by shimmering towers designed by a new generation of architects, Swan & Maclaren has been more fortunate.