HANOI: A model of new rural areas, where the central role of the people is "upheld" in every activity they participate in, is taking shape thanks to a pilot programme to be carried out in 11 communes nationwide since 2009, reports Vietnam News Agency.

The office market in Kuala Lumpur City Centre has been rather lacklustre of late. However, at a recent preview of a stratified office project in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, the response far exceeded expectations.

The RM333 million deal to acquire a portion of the 1 Mont’Kiara mixed commercial development by ARA Asia Dragon Fund — an affiliate of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-Shing-linked Cheung Kong Group — from Ireka Corp Bhd’s subsidiary London Stock Exchange-listed Aseana Properties Ltd was completed on Dec 31, 2010.

From developing golf resorts, Long Island Corp founder and executive chairman Cheah Min Loong has taken on housing developments. Cheah got involved in property development when he ran Instangreen Corp Bhd, a listed company he divested in 1996, which specialised in developing golf courses and golf resorts.

ARC Partnership and Akitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd have taken the top spots in a master-planning and architectural concept competition for two of Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd’s land parcels in Puchong and Shah Alam, Selangor.

When schoolteacher Mrs T H Tan, 33, was expecting her third son in 2009, the family found that they had outgrown their 1,700 sq ft three-bedroom apartment at Seletar Springs Condo, located on Gerald Drive, off Yio Chu Kang Road.

Depending on who you are talking to, the Malaysian property market will continue to head north or sail into stormy waters.

KUALA LUMPUR: CapitaMalls Malaysia REIT Management Sdn Bhd (CMRM), the managers of CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust (CMMT), announced on Friday, Jan 21 that CMMT's fourth quarter (4Q) income for the year ending 2010 rose to RM24.8 million. Its distribution per unit (DPU) exceeds forecast by 3.4%.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hua Yang Bhd saw a significant jump of 179% in its net profit for its third quarter (3Q) ending Dec 31, 2010 to RM7.65 million, compared to RM2.74 million in 2Q2010.

The group also recorded revenue of RM49.3 million and profit before tax of RM10.4 million in 3Q2010.

BANGKOK: People living around Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi Airport have continued their protest on Friday, Jan 21 at a passenger terminal of the Thai international airport, demanding the Airports of Thailand (AOT) pay them compensation for noise pollution right away, the Thai News Agency reported.