KUALA LUMPUR: On the face of it, Naim Holdings Bhd, which was listed in April 2008, is possibly one of the most well-covered Sarawak-based companies on the stock exchange today.

The company, primarily involved in construction and property development, is 23.4% owned by Abdul Hamed Sepawi, who in turn is closely linked to Sarawak's chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL), East Malaysia's largest construction firm by market capitalisation, expects this year to be at least as good as 2010 on potential jobs within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

HONG KONG: Home prices in Hong Kong resumed their upward course last month after a dip in December, rising an average of 2.1% month-on-month.

The average home cost 19.6% more than a year earlier.

HONG KONG: For the first time, prices of four major housing estates last month surpassed their 1997 highs as property prices showed little sign of easing, but sales of new homes dropped to the lowest in two years.

BEIJING: Bank of China Ltd and four other major state lenders will end preferential mortgage rates for first-time homebuyers in the southern boomtown of Shenzhen after the Lunar New Year holiday, a local newspaper said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tujuan Gemilang Sdn Bhd — the developer of PJ Trade Centre (PJTC) in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya — is looking to sell Point92, its latest office building project en-bloc.

Located near PJTC, the leasehold 0.92-acre leasehold project with an indicative gross development value (GDV) of RM95 million is expected to be completed by June 2012.

Dijaya Corporation Bhd, the master developer of the Tropicana Golf and Country Resort development in Petaling Jaya, is looking to launch two new freehold townships in the southern part of Klang Valley this year — one in Cheras and another in Balakong.

Offices on the fringe put pressure on city rents
Decentralised offices on the fringes of the Kuala Lumpur city centre are giving those in the city centre a run for their money as supply and demand continue to grow.

Demand boost from new projects nearby

The Lunar Year of the Wood Rabbit will bring good fortune to Johor Baru, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, according to feng shui readings by Joe Choo, president of the Malaysian Institute of Sciences (MINGS).