SABAH, affectionately known as the Land Below the Wind, has seen a spurt of economic growth in the past few years. It is blessed with natural resources such as oil and gas, and fertile agricultural land. The state has the third largest population in Malaysia, with 32 ethnic groups.

ALOR GAJAH: Any increase in house prices upon implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) in April next year is just temporary, as a number of measures are already in place to curtail the rise.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court will decide tomorrow on a land acquisition matter where the panel will have to answer this pertinent question: “Is your land title worth the paper it is printed on?”

This is the question Ishmael Lim Abdulah, 53, has been asking the courts to answer in the affirmative for the past decade.

GEORGE TOWN: New Bob Group has planned four development projects with a gross development value (GDV) of about RM160 million next year.

The real estate and property management group has been trying to make a name for itself as a boutique property developer in Penang in recent years.

PETALING JAYA: Asian Retail Mall Fund II (ARMF) is planning a redevelopment of the SStwo Mall in Petaling Jaya, involving a partial demolition of the structure and building a serviced apartment block, according to sources.

Winner - Eco World Development Group Bhd

SINCE it bursts onto the scene just over a year ago, Eco World Development Group Bhd has created a strong brand and achieved impressive sales under the leadership of group president and CEO, Datuk Chang Khim Wah.

KUALA LUMPUR: Embassy Works, comprising 39 luxury New York-styled loft apartments in Nine Elms, London reported a 25% take-up rate by Malaysians.

Danny S K Yeo, deputy managing director of CH Williams Tahar & Wong, described the sales figures as “encouraging” and expects the remainder of the units to be picked up by Hong Kong and Singaporean investors.

KUALA LUMPUR: Urban Anchor Development Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian and Hong Kong joint venture company, launched its first project in Malaysia — The Travertine in Hartamas Heights — last Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tour Blanche building in Paris La Défense was acquired by Plaza Global Real Estate Partners (Plaza Global) for some €161 million (RM668.79 million) from a fund advised by Perella Weinberg Real Estate in late October.

KUALA LUMPUR: The property market will not see a downturn in 2015, despite the slowdown over the past three quarters, said Malaysia Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) president Siva Shanker.

He also expects the property market to pick up in 2016 and 2017. Siva was giving a talk at the Annual Malaysian Market Outlook — Rounding Up 2014 on Tuesday.