SHAH ALAM: Setia City Mall, currently under construction by WTW Bovis and due to open mid 2012, has been honoured with a Gold Award by the Malaysian Society for Occupational Health and Safety.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's only Islamic plantations real estate investment trust, Al-Hadharah Boustead REIT, saw a profit after tax of RM23.9 million for 2QFY11 ended June 30. This is a 50% increase over RM15.9 million a year ago, mainly due to an increase in fixed rental income and the doubling of performance-based profit sharing.

Gamuda Bhd (Aug 9, RM3.34)
Recommend buy at RM3.20 with revised target price of RM5.10 (from RM5.25): Prequalification for tunnelling works closed in early July 2011 with 12 parties — two Chinese contractors, one from the Middle East, and the rest from Asia.

KUANTAN: Preliminary report of the landslide at Sungai Ruil Orang Asli settlement in Cameron Highlands does not show that it occured due to development or land clearing.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the landslide that killed seven people on Aug 7 has been categorised as a natural disaster.

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor MCA has described the home ownership scheme, introduced by the Selangor government under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to enable the people in the state to own homes with a flexible premium payment, as a political ploy.

BANGKOK: Best Western International, the world's largest hotel chain — has awarded three of its Danish Hotels the Excellence In Quality 2011 award.

This award recognises Best Western properties that maintain a very high degree of quality in their hotels.

SELANGOR: The launch of Gardenz@One South by Hua Yang Bhd was met with enthusiastic response as all 181 units were fully booked within two days.

KUALA LUMPUR: Shares in UEM Land Holdings Bhd have dropped below the threshold of RM2.30 for the first time since the company's acquisition of Sunrise Bhd earlier this year. This will likely prompt holders of its redeemable convertible preference shares (RCPS) to engage in a wait-and-see exercise, as they may opt to wait for full redemption rather than convert them to shares.

After completing its last hotel acquisition just three months ago, CDL Hospitality Trusts (CDLHT) says it remains on the lookout for properties, particularly within Asia, given the growing economy and strong demand for accommodation as tourist numbers continue to rise.

I bought my first property almost a decade ago; shortly after being confirmed in my position at work. Like most people my age at the time, the tendency was to buy a property as soon as you can afford it.