IJM Land: Designing Homes for the Future

Press release by IJM Land.

DESIGNING HOMES FOR THE FUTURE
Every design has its purpose in IJM’s latest contemporary space

Simplicity and practicality have dominated the headlines of lifestyle trends all around the globe, and in an established and award-winning township of Seremban 2 located 60 km south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, lies Rimbun Impian, IJM Land’s latest residential development set to reshape the contemporary concept in its interior design. Rimbun Impian is officially launching its newly-completed show units that highlight premium finishes, practical layout and stylish living.

Nestled within a tranquil and green environment of Seremban 2 Heights, the 345 Rimbun Impian units consist of Type A houses with land area of 22′ x 78′ and 22′ x 75′ and built up area from 2,586 sf. Type B houses on the other hand are built on a larger 24’ x 75’ land area with a complementing built-up area starting from 2,820 sq ft. In presenting each show unit, IJM’s challenge was to bring out their distinctive touch to make their contemporary concept, one that has been prevalent for most of the decade, feel fresh.

For its interiors, the Type A show unit is flourished in the Terracotta concept which indulges in a play of textures and earthy-toned finishes to achieve a contemporary atmosphere. The crux of this design is in attention to detail, with every inch considered meticulously and every space optimised, resulting in a tastefully designed home fit for a stylish lifestyle.

Inspired by the thought of bringing space to life, each room in the show unit has its own characteristics and stories behind it. The living hall, for one, is installed with a 3D wood partition which becomes an impressive highlight feature of the room. In the family area, visual equilibrium is apparent with the combination of vertical strip finish and terracotic hues.

The upholstered 3D wall panel in the master bedroom brings out a sophisticated personality.  The design works well with other geometrical elements such as the exquisite carpet and bed frame, transforming it into a luxurious chamber.

The interior design for Type B show unit utilizes monochromatic color scheme in their living, dining and open kitchen areas complemented by special wall coating in creating a modern concept. The geometrical furniture and decor used, such as the dining table, curvilinear sofa and coffee table serve as attention grabbers in the open space. The high gloss door surface, elegant marble and mirror cladding on TV feature wall and an expressive kitchen counter top are among the modernistic materials used.

The first floor of Type B show unit incorporates a more dynamic design to complement the floor below. The master bedroom’s asymmetrical bed head feature coupled with slanted built- in lighting create a spacious open atmosphere that goes well with the walk-in wardrobe. The bedroom designs take full advantage of natural light to unveil embedded architectural elements like the pastel and bold colors along with textures that become attractive focal points of the room.

As a trusted property developer devoted to providing practical and modern homes to contemporary families, IJM Land resolved to double down their efforts in catering to forward-thinking buyers. So, when the opportunity arises with their latest residential development Rimbun Impian, they decided to bring a fresh twist to the contemporary concept and reinvent the space.

“We considered many aspects to make our designs stand out and at the same time practical, including the colors, creative design, space utilization, placement of furniture and treating them as art pieces rather than just objects. We wanted to create a space that is modern, stylish and comfortable, a place for families to call home,” said Dato’ Hoo Kim See, Senior General Manager (Central Region) of IJM LAND.

“Besides the breathtaking interior designs of the show units, the Smart Home system feature will also further propel modern and futuristic lifestyles of Rimbun Impian families. This highlight feature synchronizes the remote control of the home’s lighting, air conditioning and door sensors that will certainly ease the day to day lives of family members. Moreover, every unit is installed with digital door lock which allows access in and out of the home using either card keys, mechanical keys or PIN code, reducing the hassle of using old-school keys,” Dato’ Hoo added.

Seremban 2 is also well-known for being a self-contained township complete with its own modern amenities and convenience, planned and built to accommodate a future-forward living that maintains the grace and serenity that nature provides. With unrivalled collection of green spaces and facilities, the 15-acre S2 City Park and 30-acre Hill Park are the township’s major hotspots offering the people a refreshing and healthy escape from the bustles of life.

Together, they add up to 45-acres of purposefully equipped park space that have made recreational and healthy community-centric activities the highlight of many residents. The future homeowners of Rimbun Impian will also have access to commercial and retail services such as AEON Mall, Mydin Mall, Tesco Hypermarket, NSK Trade City and Palm Mall, complemented with other convenient entities and businesses including banks, hotels and cinemas in the vicinity.

The 5 national schools, 2 Chinese primary school, 2 colleges and an international school will benefit the younger residents here. Another perk of settling down in this township is its close proximity to the North-South Highway, ELITE and LEKAS highways that provide quick access to and fro Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Malacca.

Furthermore, residents can also access a toll free road that directly connects the township to KLIA and KLIA2, exemplifying accessibility and connectivity for a stress-free life.

For more information on Rimbun Impian, visit
http://seremban2.ijmland.com/rimbun_impian/Default.aspx.

— end of press release —

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IJM Land Seremban 2: A Shift In Property Trends

Press Release: A Shift In Property Trends

Bigger homes outside large cities are attracting more buyers and showing signs of great value appreciation

The promise of job opportunities and urban growth, among many other factors have pulled a huge population to cities. According to
National Geographic
, half of the global population already lives in cities, and by 2050 two-thirds of the world’s people are expected to live in urban areas.

With more and more people gravitating towards the city centre, property prices in large cities are already costing a bomb and it is projected to further skyrocket over the years. Additionally, with the ongoing pandemic posing various challenges for most industries, people are spending more time at home and transforming their homes into office spaces.

Hence, with the realisation of the importance of a spacious and comfortable home coupled with the rapidly increasing value appreciation of property in large cities, people are now getting out of the rat race and settling for bigger and cheaper homes on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

One such example is IJM Land Bhd’s Seremban 2 residential project, Rimbun Jasmine in Negeri Sembilan which was fully taken up within three hours of its private preview in September this year.

In 2016, it was
reported
 that the average house prices in Kuala Lumpur was RM749,305. However, Rimbun Jasmine buyers were able to own a spacious double-storey link house with 4-bedroom and 3-bathroom layout from RM 542,800 onwards, while bumis enjoyed it from RM 488,520 onwards. Moreover, the spacious layout makes for sufficient space that can be compartmentalized for different daily activities of play, work and study, making Rimbun Jasmine a great value for money.

Based on the data and statistics collected during the private preview of Rimbun Jasmine, IJM Land has reported that the homebuyer demographics showed that people from Negeri Sembilan comprised 68% of the buyers, followed by Selangor (12%), Kuala Lumpur (8%), Melaka (4%) and Johor (3%), with other states making up the remaining 5%.

“In comparison to similar properties offered in the city center, we believe that Rimbun Jasmine has the edge when it comes to the pricing, surrounding land space and serene environment that is high in demand nowadays. It is evident, when more than 30% of Rimbun Jasmine homebuyers are from foreign states, that the market is seeping into suburban areas with bigger homes at lower prices,” said Dato Hoo Kim See, Senior General Manager (Central Region) of IJM Land.

As the flagship township of IJM Land, Seremban 2 itself also plays a huge role in the shift as the thriving township in Negeri Sembilan leverages on abundant, vast green spaces, offering a peaceful and relaxing lifestyle that can help residents to wind down while enjoying the benefits of nature. The 45 acres of park space that extends across the township and 30-acre sports complex also encourages healthy and balanced living for residents that is hard to attain from a bustling city life.

Properties in the city fetch a hefty price tag mainly due to being close to basic infrastructure and amenities. However, the self-sustaining Seremban 2 township has set a benchmark for the standard of living in Negeri Sembilan with residents having quick access to a multitude of commercial and retail services such as AEON Mall, Mydin Mall, Tesco, Palm Mall and NSK Trade City within a 5km distance. Convenient outlets to source for basic necessities, the assortment of medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics, and the availability of major bank branches and schools further amplify the convenience of living in the township.

Strategically placed near major highways, Seremban 2 residents are in close proximity to the North-South Highway, ELITE and LEKAS highways that provide quick access to and from major hotspots such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Malacca. Furthermore, residents can also access a toll free road that directly connects the township to KLIA and KLIA2.

Although the property market in Seremban pales in comparison to the rapid growth that large cities are experiencing, future developments in the area shows promising growth in property value.

As part of the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur Conurbation’, the Malaysian Vision Valley (MVV) development project which is much-touted as the country’s new economic corridor will cover a large swath of land in Negeri Sembilan, including Seremban.

“Although properties in the city centre are still considered as a better investment with the rapid increase of property value and better rental yield, we are confident that Seremban is positioned well as a future major economic hub that will contribute to the growth of the property market in the area exponentially,” Dato’ Hoo added.

IJM Land is now targeting to launch sizable 2 storey link homes (Rimbun Kiara) and single storey link homes (Rimbun Aman) with affordable prices and easy-own-schemes in Q1 2021 to make home buying possible for everyone.

For more information on IJM Land’s upcoming projects, please make an appointment to visit the sales gallery or register now for the latest news and updates at
https://seremban2.ijmland.com/contact-us/
.

— End of Press Release —

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Press Release: Best Phase Forward: IJM LAND Breezily Launches The Next Two Phases Of Sierra Hijauan

Sierra Hijauan development hits new milestone with new landed residential homes for the unveiling of Phase 2E and 2H

The fifth (2E) and sixth (2H) phase launch of Sierra Hijauan is another feather in the cap that solidifies IJM Land’s reputation as one preeminent property developers in Malaysia. And given the scarcity of new landed, gated, and guarded projects with a green milieu within the coveted Ampang address, this puts Sierra Hijauan in good stead as a resort-style development with a focus on a balanced lifestyle.

As a result, the much-anticipated arrival of both Phase 2E and 2H looks to accentuate this elevated lifestyle in a Kuala Lumpur district increasingly overpopulated with high-rise developments. Sierra Hijauan is thus intentionally notable for being a low-density development with only 310 units within its expansive 32.77-acre land size.

The launch of Phase 2E and 2H is a continuation of the prompt progress of Phase 2C and 2D launched in 2021, are both fully sold, and comprise beautiful link villas, semi-detached homes, and bungalows that are scheduled to be completed in a timely manner next year.

NEW NEIGHBOURS

With a gross development value (GDV) of RM60,087,000 and sized at 2.78-acres, the new Phase 2E will comprise of 25 units of  2 ½ storey semi-detached homes and 3 storey bungalows priced from RM2,329,800 to RM3,339,800. The larger 5.51-acre Phase 2H has a GDV of RM116,123,400 and will comprise 78 units of 2 and 2 ½  storey link villas priced from RM1,419,800 to RM1,785,800. There will also be two more final phases that are targeted to be launched in Q4 2023.

Both Phase 2E and 2H promise the same holistic embodiment of integrating contemporary homes within the embrace of nature to go along with flexible and efficient layout and the high standard of workmanship. The sensation of ample personal space is reinvigorated with the same fresh cool breeze. This infuses each home with the requisite tranquillity, privacy and calming serenity it needs.

The new neighbours will also share the same 22 facilities and amenities, such as swimming pool, meditation deck, water feature garden, yoga area, terrace garden, water cascade, and a nature trail with the community. Many of whom congregate often at the exclusive clubhouse that houses the gymnasium, as well as games and function rooms. Residents can rest assured that they will not face too many external impediments in navigating and cultivating their daily healthy routines in Sierra Hijauan.

An important aspect of living at Sierra Hijauan is the overall safety of our residents and incoming visitors. 24-hour professionally-trained security personnel, security cameras at strategic locations, perimeter intrusion detection systems  and guard patrols on shifts will be implemented in the new phases too upon completion.

GREEN WITH ENVY

Suitably, Sierra Hijauan has always been representative of where the project is situated. The word ‘Sierra’ refers to a range of mountains in Spanish. On the other hand, ‘Hijauan’ is a delightful play on the Malay word for ‘green’. Together, Sierra Hijauan collectively alludes to the luscious green hilly surroundings where the project is built on and is an apt description of living harmoniously with nature here.

Sierra Hijauan assimilates seamlessly into its surroundings within a back-to-nature ecosystem. And yet, the emphasis is that the hustle-and-bustle of the city is still accessible just a stone’s throw away if required. It’s a highly desirable place to rejuvenate the well-being of residents – mind, body, and soul – upon their return from work, meetings, travels, commutes, and other social obligations.

Situated next to Ampang Forest Reserve, Sierra Hijauan is just 15km away from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and having great connectivity to major highways such as Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Jalan Ampang, Karak Highway and the upcoming East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE). There are also neighbouring mature neighbourhoods such as Taman Melawati, Setiawangsa, and Wangsa Maju to explore and procure daily necessities.

LIVEABLE FUTURE

Already a household name in the Ukay Perdana township, and a branding continuation of previous projects such as Sierra Ukay in Ampang, Sierra Hijauan reiterates the prowess and capabilities of IJM Land in planning and executing immensely liveable developments and building exclusive homes while retaining the same Sierra Hijauan affluence.

“We are extremely proud to see the gradual and steady progress of Sierra Hijauan and based on our previous launches, we are confident that Phases 2E and 2H will similarly achieve an excellent takeup rate,” said Mr Chai Kian Soon, Senior General Manager of IJM Land. “As an established developer in the country, IJM Land has thrived by prioritising the needs of our residents. And the overwhelming response with each new launch strengthens our conviction that we have a gem of a project that sophisticated homeowners gravitate towards.”

As a result, the new Phase 2E and 2H are an extension of Sierra Hijauan that aims to provide both a physical and mental shelter and sanctuary from the inevitable stress of high-flying urban homeowners. “This is achieved through constructing ample living spaces and providing top-notch facilities, which we believe will lead to a variety of tangible and intangible life advantages,” added Mr Chai. “We wish to continue to improve on redefining modern living by emphasising mindfulness, self-awareness, and sustainable living in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.”

For more information about Sierra Hijauan, log on to:
www.sierrahijauan.my
.

-End-

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Press Release: IJM Land Takes A Multigenerational Flight With Avela At IJM Rimbayu

The launch of Avela is all about multigenerational inclusiveness that’s grateful to those who have previously laid the foundation for success

IJM Land has proven once again to be one of the preeminent township and property developers in Malaysia, with IJM Rimbayu making headwinds as the standard bearers for what’s possible when a vision meets proper planning and creative flourishes. Having seen tremendous growth, IJM Rimbayu is now one of the most sought-after addresses in the southwest of the Klang Valley. This marks the 10
th
 anniversary of this burgeoning township.

As a continuation of that narrative, the latest Avela homes are conceptualised as abodes for multigenerational families staying together under the same roof. Here, young adults and couples may live in the same home or even eventually on the same street as their parents (and grandparents), visiting each other as a part of a greater support system for years to come – as part of a mid-affluent and mature homeowner demographic that expresses gratitude for those who have paved the way for their success.

Poignantly, it’s about feathering an aviary with loved ones that will often ‘flock’ together as part of a cohesive extended family. The word ‘Avela’ is inspired by the Avila bird species and alludes to genuine generosity and a deep-seated faith in humanity that purports to always look out for each other as part of that same extended family and community.

And this notion of multigenerational living has been proven to be received well. Boasting a gross development value (GDV) of RM572,000,000, the first Phase 17A comprises 164 units, while the next two Phases 17B and 17C will comprise 136 and 145 units, respectively. Promisingly, Phase 17A (GDV of RM206,000,000) at the centre of the development has already been allocated and snapped up on an invite-only selection day.

“Our aim here at Avela is to foster healthy ageing by cultivating a neighbourhood that cares,” said Mr. Chai Kian Soon, Senior General Manager of IJM Land. “In the same brushstroke, social isolation among the elderly along with degenerative diseases such as dementia can be warded off with efforts made to maintain their daily routines and to allow them to continuously engage with their family, neighbours, in-coming visitors, and the community at large.”

FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Avela is thus intentionally a low-density development with only 445 units within its gated and guarded enclave. There are two types of residences, namely 22’ x 70’ double-storey Link Homes (Type B), sized at 2,400 to 2,428 sq ft and priced from RM1,062,800, and the larger 30’ x 70’ double-storey Garden Homes (Type A), sized at 2,745 sq ft priced from RM1,436,800.

End and corner lots are slightly larger with all units already built-to-end and fully extended with a security door for peace of mind. A fully-tiled car porch also comfortably parks two luxury sedans, SUVs (or MPVs), and shelters residents from the elements as they alight from their vehicles.

The modern angular designs are intentional and create a perception of uncluttered spaces with four bedrooms that cater to bigger households and families. This is particularly evident with industrial touches such as metal and vent blocks as part of the front-facing white façade.

Also, the tilted triangular roof lines of the Garden Homes distinguish it from the low pitch and cantilever of the Linked Homes. The North-South facing orientation of the development also prevents the harsh afternoon sun rays from entering the premises. This coupled with the high ceiling height makes for a natural cooling sensation throughout the properties.

For both variants, metal deck roofing and coverings are used instead of roof tiles for a modern touch. In addition, the extra large kitchen can easily be converted into dry and wet kitchens according to different needs. And because there is ample space in the family hall, it’s easy to partition out a study or hobby room, a home gym with workout equipment, or even a work-from-home area.

And if there are homeowner’s parents (or grandparents) with limited mobility living here, they can comfortably occupy the sizable elderly-friendly bedroom with ample space on the ground floor. There are also en-suite bathrooms for all four bedrooms and a separate powder room on the ground floor for added convenience and privacy as required.

Lastly, there are 8 ft gardens for the spacious Garden Homes and two master bedrooms on the first floor that are perfect for truly multigenerational families with grandparents and young as well as teenage children all under one roof.

 COVETED GREEN ADDRESS

Avela’s grand entrance with a triangular gable and linear park is the first thing one notices. This is followed by the gorgeous Signature Pavilion and Pine Walk, which warrants a casual stroll to admire the carefully manicured designer landscape. This is further accentuated with more greenery at the Rain and Pocket Gardens throughout the development.

And given the scarcity of new landed and guarded projects, this auspiciously positions Avela as a low-density development focusing on harmonious living spaces. It’s also a plus that there are facilities installed that are only often only available to high-rise dwellers to fuse the concept of high-rise strata (or condominium) living with a facility deck to landed homes with individual titles.

Where else can residents simultaneously find a meditative pavilion, outdoor gym, playground, and a 2 km jogging path just as easily accessible on foot as a sheltered basketball court (that doubles as a  multipurpose hall) And for those whose preferences are more extreme sporting pursuits, there’s even a skateboard and rollerblade park and a rock climbing wall where spectators, both young and old, can interact with and cheer on these aspiring athletes from the sidelines.

On the flip side, the Multigenerational Play Area will allow everyone to become participants, cultivating productive and healthy daily routines at Avela by reliving the exhilaration of their youth on multigen swings that are configured so that older adults and little preschoolers can use side-by-side.

Likewise, just a hop away is The Club @ IJM Rimbayu. There, residents can utilise an Olympic-sized swimming pool, badminton and squash courts, a fully-equipped gym, sauna, and karaoke room, among other first-class amenities that will complement what is not available at Avela. And as a token of appreciation, all home buyers at IJM Rimbayu will receive a year’s complimentary subscription fees for two persons upon vacant possession.

DELIGHTFUL DECADE

Over the last 10 years, the conceptualisation of the township from design to execution has been applauded by the community at large. Clearly, IJM Rimbayu has grown from strength-strength with its residents settling down into the various projects in the township.

From the guarded neighbourhood, the township communities can seamlessly access the four major entry and exit points of well-connected highways. They are Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS), Lebuhraya Kemuning – Shah Alam, Expressway Lingkaran Tengah (ELITE), the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and the West Coast Expressway (WCE), which will be completed in 2024.

IJM has also been applauded for not just the timely delivery of basic facilities and amenities but also for ensuring that residents do not have to travel for their necessities, shopping and entertainment fix with more commercial elements, including a massive 60,000 sq ft hypermarket in Rimbayu Business Hub to be unveiled in due course.

Schools such as Oasis International School, convenient shops, restaurants and cafes, malls and cinemas operating nearby are also a testament to the progress made at IJM Rimbayu. As the Township Builder, the edict to potential buyers has always been “buy the neighbourhood, not only the house”, but in the case of Avela it’s possible both are achievable with the recently sold-out Uptown and Uptown Square shop office contributing vibrancy and conveniences to all comers.

“We have come a long way in the last 10 years,” added Chai. “It’s never been about merely building a house, but creating a connected, caring, multigenerational neighbourhood and a greater self-sustainable township. Avela is not just another jewel in the crown at IJM Rimbayu but as a reminder that family size, mobility, age, and encouraging social inclusion are factors that we have considered when adapting and building lifetime homes in this age-free haven.”

Through it all, it is the resources provided and values inculcated by the generation before that have enabled the current one to find their niche in life and to create a love nest for their own offspring. Being ahead of the curve at IJM Rimbayu, Avela is another cap in the feather for IJM celebrating a multigenerational neighbourhood that assimilates the residential needs of both the young, and of course, the young-at-heart for many more generations to come.

For more information, log on to
www.rimbayu.com
.

-End-

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Press Release: IJM Land’s Sierra Hijauan Sees Strong Take-Up

Sierra Hijauan’s future launches brought forward to Q2 2023

Property developer IJM Land’s Sierra Hijauan has received an overwhelming response, with 80% of Phase 2E and 85% of Phase 2H of its residential homes taken up just a week after its priority sales event and launch. As a result of this tremendously positive sales response and support from the community, future planned Phases 2F and 2G, which were targeted to be launched in Q3 this year, will be brought forward to Q2 instead in anticipation of a similar outcome for the remainder of 2023.

IJM Land has invariably considered the fact that many affluent and professional urbanites now face the challenge of finding (or upgrading) to liveable and attractive urban homes in Kuala Lumpur that are also near to where their family members reside and their workplaces. That is the beating heart of Sierra Hijauan that has made it attractive for those searching for an exemplary green gem in Kuala Lumpur.

Secluded and tucked into a valley nestled among the foothills of the Hulu Gombak and Ampang Forest Reserve, Sierra Hijauan is located just 15km away from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The development is also surrounded by a number of well-established neighbourhoods, including Taman Melawati, Setiawangsa, and Wangsa Maju. Besides that, there is also connectivity to many major highways including MRR2, Duke Highway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Jalan Ampang, Karak Highway, and the upcoming East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE).

Sierra Hijauan is also notable for being a low-density development with only 310 units within its expansive 32.77-acre land size. The sizable 2 and 2 ½ link villas,  2 ½ semi-detached homes and large 3-storey bungalows for sale are understatedly private and cosy.

The aforementioned Phase 2E comprises of 25 units of  2 ½ semi-detached homes and 3-storey bungalows priced from RM2,329,800 to RM3,339,800; while the larger 5.51-acre Phase 2H that comprises 78 units of 2 and 2 ½ link villas priced from RM1,419,800 to RM1,785,800.

FINAL GREENT FRONTIER

Sierra Hijauan has always been representative of where the project is situated. The word ‘Sierra’ refers to a range of mountains in Spanish; while ‘Hijauan’ is a delightful play on the Malay word for ‘green’. Together, Sierra Hijauan references the lush green hilly surroundings and is an apt description of co-existing harmoniously with nature. The garden landscape and green area make up 22% of the development.

Looking at the majestic Ampang Forest Reserve backdrop behind, the word ‘bliss’ comes to mind.  A perennial breezy fog hovers over the development – as if to preserve Sierra Hijauan with rain-caressed mornings and away from prying eyes.

There is also something about the delightful opus of flora and fauna that seems to come to life under the cloak of dusk at Sierra Hijauan. Residents notice these charming consistencies are an integral tempo of everyday life here. It is envisioned that this will be a way of life for homeowners that will remain unchanged over the years.

CALMING SPACES

A quick glance at stylish landed homes, and it is evident that the focus is on a balanced lifestyle that’s optimal without overindulgence. On the contrary, the luxury to be had is that residents do not feel like they are in the city at all when they are home.

Against the scenic backdrop, residents of all ages and lifestyles can enjoy a slew of recreational activities and come together for communal bonding. This includes over 20 facilities and amenities as well as the resident-exclusive clubhouse which comes with a gymnasium, multipurpose hall and games room, swimming pool, picnic and BBQ area, themed gardens, children’s play square, a baseball court, jogging track and many more.

“It makes you forget all about the rest of the city,” said Mr. Chai Kian Soon, Senior General Manager of IJM Land. “It feels like residents can shut the world out. And no matter how upscale (or minimalist) you wish to construct your life here. Sierra Hijauan provides proximity to the KL City Centre, while retaining all the elements of serene resort-style living.”

In addition, IJM has endeavoured to provide 24-hour surveillance and professionally-trained security to safeguard residents and ensure privacy for their families with security cameras at strategic locations and guard patrols in shifts.

More than a generation ago, it was common for homeowners to spend their entire lives living in one home. This eventually becomes the cherished family home where young adults return to visit their parents (or grandparents). There is something imminently more permanent about such family homes that they collectively narrate many of the fond (and consequential) memories of generational living.

IJM looks to facilitate that aspiration intuitively with Sierra Hijauan and a nuanced approach.  And given the scarcity of newly landed, gated, and guarded projects with a green milieu within the coveted Ampang address, Sierra Hijauan has solidified IJM Land’s reputation as one preeminent township and property developer in Malaysia.

“We have everything to ensure that your search for that perfect home is possible with an earlier launch of Phases 2F and 2G sooner in Q2,” added Mr. Chai. “And even as the lives of our residents continue to evolve for the better with each new Phase that we launch, I believe that they will be calling Sierra Hijauan their home indefinitely for the foreseeable future and beyond.”

For more information about Sierra Hijauan, log on to:
http://www.sierrahijauan.my
.

-End-

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Press Release by IJM Land Berhad – Pantai Sentral Park Interchange

Press Release by IJM land Berhad – A SMOOTHER DRIVE TO AN INTEGRATED CITY

— start —

Pantai Sentral Park Interchange to connect residents to major hotspots in Klang Valley.

Future residents of Pantai Sentral Park are closer to having smoother drives to the commercial, retail and residential enclaves of Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar and Mid Valley City, thanks to the up and coming Pantai Sentral Park interchange.

The construction for the 2.8km interchange started last October and will connect Pantai Sentral Park to the New Pantai Express Way (NPE) upon completion in the second quarter of 2018. A joint-venture between IJM Land Berhad and Amona Development Sdn Bhd, the interchange, with an estimated cost of RM52 million, will give residents and the larger community easier access to major roads around the Pantai Dalam-Kerinchi area and beyond.

The new interchange will give the opportunity to thousands of road users and commuters more direct access points to and from NPE. Once completed, it will help to redistribute traffic flow and encourage smooth traffic within the area and encouraging smooth traffic flow when entering and exiting the new generation township of Pantai Sentral Park.

A visionary township, Pantai Sentral Park is a mixed-use development consisting of 7 residential phases and 6 commercial phases, with a gross development value of RM2.5 billion. Located within 58-acres, the township is set to be completed within 10 to 15 years, with some 15,000 residents calling it home. Offering residents a nature inspired lifestyle and modern day amenities, Pantai Sentral Park will be a seamless integration of residential, commercial and recreational touch-points. Located at the doorstep of the up-and-coming MSC Malaysia Cybercentre at Bangsar South, the first two residential phases, the 38-storey Inwood Residences and the 41-storey Secoya Residences have been launched.

“Pantai Sentral Park is on a mission to create a township where residents are able to live, work and play in a fully integrated development. With the new PSP Interchange, residents of Pantai Sentral Park will have smoother drives in and out of their homes and offices, to major hotspots in Klang Valley. It will also benefit those in neighbouring communities and create opportunities for development in nearby cities, which is line with our core values of People, Planet & Priority,” said
Grace Foo
,
 Sales & Marketing Manager of
Pantai Sentral Park.

Apart from the new interchange, Pantai Sentral Park will be reachable through other roads such as, Federal Highway, Kerinchi Link (SPRINT Highway),  Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP Highway), MEX Highway (Maju Expressway), Jalan Kerinchi, Jalan Gasing, Jalan Pantai Dalam and Jalan Templer.  The development is strategically located to public transport points such as the KTM and LRT lines. It is also easily accessible to education centres like Universiti Malaya and shopping mall Mid Valley.

PANTAI SENTRAL PARK INTERCHANGE
 FACTS

Ramp 1: Egress to Bangsar & Old Klang Road

Ramp 2: Egress to Sunway, Subang, Kuala Lumpur

Ramp 3: Ingress from Bangsar & KL Sentral

Ramp 4: Ingress from Subang

Ramp 5: Ingress from Petaling Jaya

For more information, visit

www.pantaisentralpark.com.my
.

— End —

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Adventure Seekers in the city – thrilling forest run (by IJM)

Press Release by IJM Land Pantai Sentral Park – Who’s the King of the Forest?

ADVENTURE SEEKERS IN THE CITY

Pantai Sentral Park Hosts A Thrilling Forest Run For Adventurous Runners

Embracing the epitome of an integrated township, IJM Land Pantai Sentral Park gives residents a chance to live, work and play in a one-stop city with modern amenities, excellent facilities and a chance to pursue healthier lifestyles. Holding strong to its core values of People, Planet & Priority, Pantai Sentral Park will be bringing a rush of adrenaline to runners and adventure seekers with the PSP King of Forest 2017 – in partnership with organiser Centrisoh on July 16, 2017.

In support of National Cancer Society Malaysia, the PSP King of Forest 2017 is sure to give runners a sense of achievement as they compete in a tough 7.2km forest run with the aim to be the first at the finishing line. For those looking for a less competitive run, the 5km Fun Run is one to join. With the flag-off at 7.15am (7.2km trail run) and 7.30am (5km) at the ICE Gallery, runners will have a chance to relax and participate in fun activities after finishing their exhilarating Sunday race.

From 9am to 4pm, runners and their supporters will be able to discover elements of modern living at the Live with Style fair at Pantai Sentral Park’s contemporary ICE Gallery. Participants will also have the chance to win lucky draw prizes, see cool cars and motorcycles and catch appearances from road cruisers from Hitz, Era and MY fm.

With four categories for the 7.2km – Men Open (39 years old and below), Women Open (34 years old and below), Men Veteran (40 years old and above) and Women Veteran (35 years old and above); and two categories for the 5km – Men Fun Run (7 years old and above) and Women Fun Run (7 years old and above), the PSP King of Forest is a run for serious and casual runners.

The 7.2km run is open to 800 participants while the 5km fun run is available for 700 runners. Upon registration with payment of RM60 (7.2km) and RM40 (5km), participants will receive a dry fit Ultron t-shirt and personalised Bib Number. 7.2km Trail Run runners will also get a timing chip.

All runners who complete the run will receive a finisher medal while those who opt for the forest run will also get an online certificate of participation with timing.

To register for the adventurous run visit
https://goo.gl/f5SW90

— end of PR —

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IJM Land: Slowdown and the right products

When the slowdown comes, only the right products will sell. IJM Land believes it has the right ones. In an article in StarbizWeek, its chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Soam Heng said, “During a property market slowdown, people may take longer to decide and it may be harder to obtain financing from the bank, but there will still be people who can afford to buy property.”

This is VERY true! To those who think current property slowdown is due to demand going down, think again. I think the current slowdown is simply due to the mismatch between what is available versus what is affordable to many. Of course it also includes the current prevailing negative sentiment which induced the many wait-and-see amongst the potential buyers as well. If I am in a wait-and-see attitude but one right property is launched, do I still wait? For me, if it is my first property and the right one comes along, I would buy instead of continuing to wait. The reason is because I do not believe there is such a thing as perfect property.

One of IJM Land’s main project is the 58-acre Pantai Sentral Park in Kuala Lumpur. This is a 99-year leasehold land to be developed over the next 10-15 years. The current plan is for seven residential phases and six commercial phases. Total GDV is expected to be RM2.5 Billion. Upcoming launch would be the Secoya Residence. It is aimed at those with a household income of RM10,000 or above. The typical price per sq ft (psf) is RM730 – RM750. Accessibility into Pantain Sentral Park will be enhanced with a link road from the New Pantai Expressway  into the KL-Seremban Highway. This will be built by IJM at a cost of RM50 million.

It’s always a plus point to buy from a very established developer who is able to also ensure connectivity. I think IJM Land is one of them. Building roads is one of their expertise too. As for Secoya Residences I think a very comprehensive marketing promotion would have to be done. These units are unlikely to sell by themselves because this is not yet the usual hotspots loved by many. Oh yeah, I am not one of those who love hotspots. 🙂   Happy buying one if you are those above RM10,000 households that they are aiming at.

written on 22 Feb 2015

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Press Release by IJM’s Pantai Sentral Park

Press Release – EMBRACING A GREEN LIFESTYLE IN THE CITY

Pantai Sentral Park offers a chance to discover the joys of being close to nature.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks
” said American-Scottish author John Muir
.

IJM Land Pantai Sentral Park gave specially invited guests a chance to enjoy the wonders of nature – fresh air, lush, green trees and a relaxed environment at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi on August 12, 2017. Along with family and friends, they took time off on the Sunday to enjoy a picnic, bonding with one another while appreciating the many gifts nature offers us.

Arriving at the entrance of the forest reserve, the nature lovers got a chance enjoy the verdant views from a hanging bridge before walking down man-made steps to the ideal picnic spot. Some chose to lay their mats next to the flowing stream, while others decided to enjoy the picnic on natural, green lawns. The morning picnic was set amidst the natural forest, a gentle stream and sounds of birds chirping – an ideal weekend with loved ones.

With a buzz of activity in the natural park, there is plenty of back to nature activities to indulge in – whether jogging on the track, exploring the hiking trail with friends or family – or simply taking in the sights. This time around, guests took the chance to connect with family and friends, sharing a basket full of breakfast goodies, good conversation and company on a cool, breezy morning.

At the edge of the 200-acre forest in Bukit Kerinchi is Pantai Sentral Park, a mixed-use township with 7 residential phases and 6 commercial phases in a fully integrated, modern township. Once completed within 10 to 15 years, residents will have a chance to live, work and play within the 58 acres – created with the idea of promoting a healthy lifestyle for all.

Focusing on Pantai Sentral Park’s core values “People, Planet & Priority”, the visionary township will give some 15,000 residents a chance to experience activities such as bird and small wildlife watching, appreciate rainforest plants and flowers up close, sweat it out with jungle trekking and hiking trails, or walk along the landscaped park made exclusively for strolling, jogging and cycling.

Pantai Sentral Park’s Inwood Residences and Secoya Residences will be ready in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Once completed, home owners will be able to embrace living a quality life, with the perks of having a forest reserve close to home, together with man-made green amenities such as Sky Gardens, a pathwalk with trellis, rock water fountain, and topiary garden.

IJM Land gives residents the chance to adopt a well-balanced lifestyle without compromising on modern amenities, including 24-hour security, children’s playground, infinity pool, a sunken sundeck and jacuzzi. With thoughtful designs and award winning concepts, Pantai Sentral Park’s received recognition with Inwood Residences’ Enchanted Garden chosen as the winner of Asia Pacific Property Awards in 2014 for best Residential Landscape Architecture in Malaysia
.

Along with gorgeous views, whether the unit is oriented in the north or south, the living space was designed with a shallow floor plate to boost natural lighting. This concept is in line with its concept of offering residents the best of both worlds – nature’s splendour and city conveniences.

“At Pantai Sentral Park, we give home owners and residents of Inwood and Seyoca Residences the chance to adopt a healthy lifestyle. With Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi 5 minutes away, they can spend time with family and friends there or enjoy the amenities that promote living life outdoors such as the pedestrian walkaways, green boulevards, Linear Forest Walk and the Lake Arena even closer to home. We want our residents to embrace the opportunity of having balanced, quality lifestyles while enjoying the comforts of modern amenities the township has to offer,” said
Grace Foo
, Sales & Marketing Manager of
Pantai Sentral Park.

Located in the heart of the new Golden Triangle, Pantai Sentral Park is connected to commercial, retail and residential hotspots like Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar and Mid Valley City. Residents will also have the chance to have smoother drives to New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and have easier access to Old Klang Road, Sunway, Subang Jaya and other townships in Klang Valley with the PSP Interchange, scheduled to be completed in 2018.

For more information, visit
www.pantaisentralpark.com.my
.

— end —

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IKEA in JB, 3rd store by end 2017 with RM592 million investment

I think I am one of those who visits
IKEA a few times every year.
 Unfortunately, it is not because I was buying a few properties every year. (Would be great if I could but a working professional earns only so much…) It was only because I like to browse for ideas and gauge the current sentiment, for the existing and new home owners. IKEA as all of us know is NOT a necessity and thus when everyone has no money, it would be foolish to cut food and buy IKEA instead. Haha. Yes, when the queues remain long, we are still safe, I hope. Those buying still have their jobs and they are buying IKEA furnitures because they have already fulfilled their basic needs.

Malaysia will have its 3rd IKEA store in Tebrau, Johor. To Penangites, the
IKEA in Batu Kawan
 would thus be the 4th in Malaysia since it will only open in 2018. IKEA Southeast Asia managing director Christian Rojkjaer said, “We have watched the development of the city for some time and are impressed with the infrastructure that is being built. We chose Johor Baru because we want to play a role in the development of the city.” I think this is a good endorsement of the viability of a
longer term investment environment
. IKEA will only be building in places where the queues would continue building up days after days.

The investment would be RM592 million and is expected to open by end 2017. It will provide over 300 jobs as well as the potential business opportunities. It will have a total space of 46,713 square metres. (YES, huge). It said that it will serve 1.8 million people who live in the area. I think it would definitely attract many Malaccans too. Haha. In fact the expectations is for a total of 6 million visitors annually which is only slightly below its Damansara store at 7 million. As for whether it would compete with Singapore, seriously if I own a home in Singapore, I’d buy in IKEA Singapore lah. Of course, exchange rate may help IKEA Tebrau more.

written on 17 Sept 2016

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IKEA and Batu Kawan – buy now?

Ikea is coming to Penang! Today, Penang CM Lim Guan Eng announced a good news for Penang. IKEA is opening in Penang. In fact, it is a good news for Perakians, Kedahans and ‘Perlisians?’ too. This is because they no longer need to drive like crazy, buy a few things in IKEA and then drive until half dead to reach home. Now, they can drive over and does not even need to pay toll though unlikely because if you arrive in mainland but does not want to visit the Penang island, then there is something wrong with you. 🙂

Before you now rush to any Batu Kawan developer’s office to book all the units there, please note that the IKEA store is slated to open only in 2020. Yes, it is true, if your property happen to be right next to IKEA store, I sincerely believe that the price would be increasing substantially by then. However, should you now rush to snap up properties in Batu Kawan? If you believe that with IKEA about to open, the property prices would continue to rise, thus you should buy, then go ahead but first question. What type of property? Landed? Do look at the availability for landed properties in Batu Kawan. As at now, choices are still limited. Condo? Unless there are new ones being launched, I have yet to know of any prominent developers building condos over there.

Second question, after you buy, will you be renting out? If yes, what would the rental be? Or would you be holding for capital appreciation? If yes, don’t you think buying 3 years later or nearer to when IKEA is about to open would seem more reasonable? Are there no other better property investments in Penang worth looking at. Third question, how much would the capital appreciation be? 100% up? Would it better than buying in hot areas in Penang? Would it be better than buying in not so favourite areas like Relau / Batu Maung instead? Batu Maung really would be just ‘a bridge away’ from IKEA and yet it is still within the island.

Please do not get me wrong. I think if you are able to answer a lot of the questions and after thinking slightly more thorough, then you should proceed to buy. Never buy because of sudden euphoria. IKEA is coming….. only in 2020. For property investments, do you typically buy and wait for 7 years before selling? Do note also that the highest appreciation should only be many months after IKEA opens and definitely not months before IKEA opens or even years. Personally, I would buy when more details are revealed. Especially on other plans besides just IKEA. Do remember that Damansara Mutiara did not rely on just IKEA. There are also The Curve, 1 Utama, TESCO and many more other catalyst such as LDP.

Happy buying!

Wrriten on 10 Jan 2014

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Ikea Cheras? Not for me, Ikea Damansara I love you more.

Before I start, read my earlier article about IKEA. Here:
My favourite store, whether or not I am renovating

 My brother-in-law from Penang visited me here in KL and said he wanted to visit IKEA Cheras. Great idea since I also wanted to visit it too. Many have informed me that the jam is pretty bad along the way into IKEA Cheras. I told them, it should not be too bad. After all, it’s IKEA. Everyone knows they have good planning and execution. When I was only about 3 turns away into IKEA’s car park, the traffic stalled. The traffic light was not helpful and the cars were no longer following it. I presume it’s because they have been waiting there for a very long time. It took me nearly 35 minutes to clear the three roads and when I saw the IKEA building, suddenly cars in front of me parked right along the main road on my right. One whole row of cars just parked like that. Huh?

As I drove further, when I saw the P sign, there were cones along the entrance into the car park! Fortunately for me, the cars in front of me drove in between the cones into the car park and I followed. It did not take long to find a car park once inside. It was 1130am. The entrance was not as nice as the one in Damansara. Somehow, the crowd was a little unruly and it was like a ‘pasar.’ Since it was close to lunch, we decided to have lunch at the restaurant first. The queue took me 45 minutes before I could order my food. This is a little unacceptable as I have never waited beyond half an hour in IKEA Damansara. Then, my wife and my sister-in-law went to the toilet and made me and my brother-in-law worried. They came back only after 30 minutes. The queue was still very long at 430pm. Something must be wrong somewhere. Perhaps some of the toilets were not fully opened?

Okay, going inside, it’s nice. There were many show rooms which showed how you can renovate your home even if it’sjust 800 sq ft, 550 sq ft or even 400 sq ft. Pretty clever since these days, SOHO, SOVO or SOFO is getting popular with the many younger working adults. Not for me though. As usual, you can sit as much as you want and we can even sleep if we wanted to. Suddenly, a mosquito bit me. Huh?? My wife was also bitten by one and she killed one too. Mosquito in IKEA? She said maybe it’s due to the construction next door. Well, if it is, I still seriously hope they do something about it quickly. No one likes to be bitten by a mosquito when dengue is still prevalent. Air-con in some spots are also a little warmer than usual. Hope it’s only because it is too new, so there are too many visitors currently.

Leaving IKEA, the traffic light just outside was nearly as bad as when we came. Sigh. All four of us concluded, it will be our first and last time in IKEA Cheras. We still love the IKEA Damansara more. Okay, to be fair, my home is in Damansara Damai, thus it would take me faster to reach IKEA Damansara. However, with the many little things I mentioned above, I seriously hope IKEA takes note and quickly improves them. I perceive them as head and shoulders above the rest of the furniture stores and I think it will be a great brand for me always. Never failed to buy something every time I am there and today, I spent around RM350 there including the lunch, ice-creams and curry puffs too. Happy visiting both and may your experience be way better than mine.

written on 25th Dec 2015

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IKEA Malaysia and the property market

IKEA Malaysia and the property market. What’s the relevance?

Do you love to go to any stores of IKEA Malaysia?

I do. I love to go to IKEA (most of the time the one in Damansara) but I have been to the one in Cheras and the one in Penang too. I love to go again and again even if at the end I only buy a couple of items after spending 2 hours there. It’s very relaxing for me in my opinion. We also learnt so many new things too. “Oh… it can be arranged this way too…” Or, the children’s room can also have this arrangement too…

Everytime I am there, I also become an observer. I would always think how do they know what are the things we need for our home anyway? How can they always have things for me to buy which I thought is a great idea to buy? Perhaps it has to do with just appeal via showing it versus trying to hardsell…  Remember, instead of ‘Please do not sit’ in most furniture, shops, IKEA Malaysia welcomes us to try the sofa, the bed and well, everything before we buy.

Now, we have some good news about IKEA Malaysia.

Article in themalaysianreserve.com

IKEA
Malaysia operations made a combined turnover of RM1.3 billion from September 2020 until August 2021.  Sales were mainly derived from IKEA Damansara and IPC shopping centre, IKEA Cheras and MyTown shopping centre, IKEA Tebrau and Toppen shopping centre, and IKEA Batu Kawan and Batu Kawan Link, Ikano Retail said in a statement yesterday.

IKEA Malaysia’s online sales more than doubled for the period to RM247 million. Ikano Retail CEO Christian Rojkjaer said, “We lost 17% of our trading days, faced the worst supply challenges in our history and contended with limits on food operations and further restrictions.” Please do read the full article here with more details:
Article in themalaysianreserve.com

IKEA Malaysia will always be popular (in my opinion)

New home owners will always put IKEA as one of the choices for their furnishings. Current home owners, they will always look at IKEA for ideas and probably bought a couple of items. Meanwhile some will just visit for fun since they can even buy pots, pans, knives and even printed paintings over there. PLUS… the ice-cream and the curry puffs too. Haha. Clever marketing by the way, to sooth all the visitors with something sweet after the shopping.

With a recovering property market, I think IKEA will become even more popular yeah. Stay safe and have enough social distancing please.

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IKEA was packed to the brim, still.

I went to IKEA last saturday (5 sept). I wanted to buy a baby chair, a new pot and a few LED bulbs. The car park was very full and after many turns, I had to park at a spot which is regarded as illegal. The showroom floor was full of people. Perhaps these people are here just for ideas, right? I found my items and proceeded to the payment counter. As soon as I saw the queue, I gave up. The lines were so long and everyone had so many items that I felt it’s better to have lunch instead. No point in waiting for half an hour or more just to pay for that few items. This brings me to one very important observation. IKEA is a furniture store. In other words, this is not a necessity. It is mainly for homes! Does this mean the property market is still booming?

For booming, answer is no. Based on the past few quarters and even up till Q1 2015, total property transactions continue to be lower compared to the quarter before. The boom times of 2009 to 2012 is not about to suddenly return. However, the transactions remain huge enough to continue to support IKEA. Well, IKEA being so full of people definitely tells us that certain businesses would continue to do well because the economy is still moving; albeit slower. It also meant despite the MAS now becoming MAB and the loss of thousands of jobs, RHB having initiated a potential separation scheme with up to 2,700 staffs and CIMB’s earlier VSS exercise, the unemployment rate remains low and people are still spending, at least where IKEA is concerned. Perhaps these are the better off middle class? I think this is the reason why in terms of numbers, retail is still growing too even if in a much tougher environment.

Is IKEA representing the retail market then? Well, truth is out of the many malls I have gone to for the past few weeks, I could see that the number of empty retail shops are plenty. It’s also much easier to find car parks too. The only shops still patronised by people would be the food and beverage ones. This is especially those which are cheaper and more affordable. I was eating at Teh Tarik Place and the place was still full. Well, maybe because one meal of Mee Goreng and Teh Tarik is still around RM10, a palatable number for those who are still thronging malls. It’s important to note that retail is still growing as at Q2 2015 but on an overall 2015 basis, growth may be at best marginal. If you are in business, it is now time to be even more competitive and offer more for less. Now’s the time to kill your weakened competition. Happy shopping or window shopping.

written on 7 Sept 2015

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IKEA Penang? It’s really coming – 24 months away?

Updated with latest update from
Penangpropertytalk
 on 11th may 2017.

A few Penangite friends say it’s the key reason for them buying a property in Batu Kawan. Some say this will bring Penang mainland’s property attractiveness up to be on par with the island. It’s that brand called IKEA. (Yes, I love IKEA even if it shouldn’t be my main reason to buy a property of a few hundred thousand Ringgit) For the one in Damansara Mutiara, I have never seen it half empty before. In fact queues would only be very long or crazily long during weekends. There’s one planned in Batu Kawan Penang and it has started construction. In fact based on an article in
Penangpropertytalk. Q1 2019.

Image source: IKEA

IKEA Penang is a store within a 245-acre development joint development by Ikano and Aspen Group. Kano holds 20 percent while Aspen the remaining 80 percent. (I think one provides the needed branding which is extremely important in all new development nowadays. I was just talking to a few industry friends yesterday that sometimes even for the same piece of land, two different developers would have totally different results. Branding provides trust and acceptance….)  Rojkjaer added, “We want to transform the vast swath of land in Batu Kawan into a new metropolis where people can live, work and play. A shopping centre anchored by IKEA is a key component of the development plan for AVC. The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the people.” Of course, beyond just IKEA, the development would also comprise condominiums, office towers, an international school, a Columbia Asia Hospital and a 24-acre park. Total gross development value for AVC is RM8 billion and it should be fully completed within 10 years. Here’s the full
article in Thestar.

I still remember vividly when my wife told me that her Head of department for HR rented a huge lorry and drove all the way from Penang to
Damansara Mutiara to buy HUGE
 quantities of IKEA furnitures and fittings for her factory in Bayan Lepas. I told her, ‘that’s a little crazy, right?’ Well, that’s how IKEA change people’s behaviour? Moving forward, in just 18 months more, this situation may no longer happen. Perhaps occasionally we may find some Ipohans driving to Penang’s IKEA to buy stuffs instead. Developments, especially the bigger ones do take time. If I am a newbie starting in Penang today, mainland should already be a main choice already even if island retains slight advantage due to the completeness of things I can find within. Let’s see if this is a tipping point that many
Penang mainlanders have been telling me about.
 Yes, I have many good friends working in island and staying in mainland today. Cheers.

written on 7 May 2017

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IKEA Penang opening in 9 months time. New catalyst?

Let’s answer this question at the end yeah. “With IKEA coming, should I buy a property nearby?” For now, let’s just celebrate this piece of news. IKEA Penang is recruiting and they need 200 new positions at its Batu Kawan Penang store.  For those who do not know who is IKEA, it’s my favourite store. Earlier article here:
IKEA was packed to the brim, still.
They hail from Sweden and loved by many cafes too, not just residential home owners. The available jobs in their IKEA Batu Kawan store? Full-time and part-time vacancies, including roles in sales, customer relations, food and beverage, logistics and warehouse. In a statement today, IKEA said a walk-in interview session will be carried out from July 27 to 29 at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, Penang from 9am.
Full article in TheEdgeMarkets here.

IKEA
Batu Kawan store manager Pathmalingam Arumugam.
added, “Following the recruitment drive, successful candidates will undergo training ahead of the opening of IKEA Batu Kawan. The long lead-time ensures the team is well prepared to provide customers a consistent IKEA shopping experience. We are ready to bring on board fans and individuals with a passion for home furnishing to join the foremost team for IKEA Batu Kawan.
We provide co-workers a fun and family-like environment to bring the same experience and sense of belonging for customers who visit our store.” Beyond these, IKEA will also provide
benefits such as medical benefits, a 15% co-worker discount for all IKEA products, subsidised meals at co-worker restaurant and seasonal gifts. There’s more.
“In addition, co-workers are entitled to four consecutive months of maternity leave, as well as four weeks of paid time-off for new dads — a new policy that was introduced last year in the spirit of equality and inclusiveness.” (Beyond just 4 months maternity leave for mothers, FATHERS can have 4 weeks off!)
Full article in TheEdgeMarkets here.

Okay, now to answer that question of whether one should buy a property nearby. IKEA Batu Kawan should be popular, that’s for sure. However, one does NOT need to stay nearby to go to the store because they do not need to go to the store everyday. Secondly, these visitors, even from out of town may not prefer to stay in Batu Kawan area because Penang island has lots more to offer, at this moment. Third, IKEA’s total staffs are not mostly expats. Thus, the sudden surge in demand for high-end homes will not be there. Of course, there will be more demand for homes since they would have slots for 200 workers. Is Batu Kawan a promising place to stay? This is a decision that one must make for themselves yeah. Drive around, understand what’s available and what’s coming up. Include IKEA into the equation as a plus point. It should not be the MAJOR point yeah. Happy visiting IKEA first.

written on 18 July 2018

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Press Release: IKON @ Centrio Spearheads Business Activities In Seremban 2

Seremban 2’s latest commercial project saw over 85% of its units sold during its sales event

Every single aspect in a township serves a purpose. They collectively interconnect to form an invisible web that channels benefit to the residents living within.

One of the main commercial elements, for example, leans heavily from the residential component within the township as well as from its surroundings as the population size determines the demand for the supply.

On the other hand, it provides residents with a ready resource of food and beverages, and a wide choice of conveniences to supplement their daily needs.

This is a basic but vital principle that the latest development, IKON @ Centrio, embodies to the letter. Hence it is unsurprising that IKON @ Centrio marks the next stage of the highly successful commercial advancement in Seremban 2.

Chain coffee houses shall bloom within the development, such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean, creating a nice cosy spot for one to sip a hot beverage as they while the time away.

Fast-food restaurants like MCDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Dominoes and A&W are also nearby the area, so this will be beneficial for those who need a quick bite.

Not forgetting the luxurious array of oriental cuisines that is bound to delight the gastronomic explorers, ranging from Korean, Japanese to Thai.

Food is not the only element that bears mention here. The foreseeable future could see a wide range of facilities in IKON @ Centrio, from clinics, dental care, car grooming, education centres to financial institutions.

The presence of all these conveniences makes IKON @ Centrio a great synergy with the estimated growing population of 60,000 in Seremban 2 and Seremban 2 Heights, not forgetting the 100,000 plus population from the surrounding neighbourhood.

This surplus of people is bound to provide ample business opportunities for the commercial units there. Feasibility studies showed a population with strong purchasing power, suggesting their ability to demand various business services.

The catchment of people shall trigger a trickle-down effect that benefits everyone in the neighbourhood. Job opportunities bloom in the commercial zone, drawing in migration to further raise the demand for products and services.

A higher residential occupancy rate is bound to increase the rate of capital appreciation and the rental yield on nearby properties due to the need for additional housing.

This is yet another nudge for property investors to invest in the thriving microcosm that is IKON @ Centrio.

Features worthy of the top commercial players

Spanning across a total of 26.8 acres of land, IKON @ Centrio is composed of two to three-storeyed lifestyle shops, with 125 units for phase 1 at 11.3 acres. The development registers at an estimated gross development value of RM206,177,180.

To facilitate the differing needs and requirements of business owners, four variations have been provided with built-ups ranging from 3,537 to 7,305 sq ft. There are various types which include 2 storey, 2.5 storey and selected corner units which are 3 storey, and also the choice of double frontage.

Further on, selected corner units are three-storeyed to cater for corporate offices or as open terraces for food and beverages and dining. As for the end lots, these are specially designed for the alfresco dining concept.

Towards the front, a 24 ft wide entrance improves the product display’s visibility while providing ample space for utilisation. The layouts are meticulously designed to promote functionality, maximising space for business activities.

Wide glass panels usher in natural lighting while contemporary elements blend with the built design to create a conducive environment that is simultaneously modern and easily accessible to shoppers.

On to the location, the development has been thoughtfully built, occupying a central position within the township to boost visibility to visitors and residents alike.

Borrowing strength from the well-planned township, IKON @ Centrio benefits from the six-lane dual carriageway that branches out into a network of roads. These links to all township sectors greatly facilitate the flow of movement.

Speaking of connectivity, IKON @ Centrio is well linked to the North-South, ELITE and LEKAS Highway, hence the capital of Malaysia is less than an hour’s drive away. Toll-free roads also connect directly to KLIA and KLIA 2, granting residents unparalleled access to other parts of the country and even transcending to the international level.

Shop in a blissful environment encapsulated by nature

Poised within the township of Seremban 2, IKON @ Centrio sits nearby to the 15-acres City Park, which presents an endearingly quaint, country atmosphere. After a day’s worth of work, feasting and shopping, one could relax and unwind by taking a leisurely stroll across the lush and vibrant landscape.

Be enthralled by the wealth of community-friendly facilities distributed within the area, purposefully chosen to fulfil your recreational needs. A cool four-acre lake forms the park’s centrepiece and is undoubtedly an Instagram-worthy place for you and your loved ones.

Crowning the apex of Seremban 2 is the 30 acres Hill Park which hosts a mini dinosaur-themed playing area, just the place for families with children to relax and be entertained.

Those interested in a strenuous workout can check out Kepayang Hill, a renowned hiking trail among trekking enthusiasts. If the outdoors is not your style, then head inside the S2 Club, a community themed recreational club and sports complex that is bound to entertain.

Besides the natural splendour and ample facilities, the township itself brims with potential. Seremban 2 is earmarked for many other progressive developments. The population is bound to increase in tandem with these future projects, pointing towards the possibility of higher traffic and positive potential return.

As can be observed, there are more than meets the eyes where IKON @ Centrio is concerned.

With all the great ideas already in the plan, it is bound to evoke the joy of carefree shopping in a haven of choice conveniences.

For more information on IKON @ Centrio, please visit
here
 or call 1800 222 456
.

-End-

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Illaria Gamuda Gardens: 80% of Phase 2 sold

Press Release: Phase 2 of Illaria, Gamuda Gardens 80% Sold

Petaling Jaya
: Despite a soft property market, Gamuda Land has continued its strong momentum following the success of the first phase of Illaria Hillside Homes in Gamuda Gardens, which achieved 100% uptake. Virtually launched on Dec 12 via the Gamuda Land Facebook page, the second phase of Illaria Hillside Homes has seen a brisk 80% take-up rate to date.

Comprising 20’ x 65’ linked homes with four-bedroom, four bathroom and three-bedroom, three-bathroom layout options, prices for these basic and lifestyle homes start from RM 560,000. Over and above conventional common facilities such as a community garden and children’s playground within the precinct’s 3.6ha private park, Illaria Hillside Homes create active opportunities for healthy social interaction with a community kitchen and barbecue area, as well as a hilltop viewing point and co-working space designed as an extension of home that provides spaces for relaxation, work and social mingling.
Gamuda Gardens general manager Chu Wai Lune attributed the project’s overwhelming response to the extensive planning that has gone into crafting the town. “It has been our proposition from the onset that Gamuda Gardens is more than merely bricks and mortar. It’s a town where people can forge bonds with one another while reconnecting with nature. To achieve this, we brought together all the necessary ingredients to make that happen.”

Mindfully planned for home seeker needs
Located in Gamuda Gardens, a self-sustaining township, Illaria Hillside Homes leverages on mindful master planning with individual elements like the park place, the learning place and the wellness place carefully designed and positioned to maximise convenience for residents and surrounding community.

With a total gross development value of RM257 million, Illaria Hillside Homes sits on a 13.8ha site next to a hillside park. Planned during the pandemic, the project incorporates multi-functional designs and flexible spaces, as the developer takes into consideration changes in lifestyle and what homebuyers now look for in property post-pandemic.

With flexible living spaces in mind, Illaria Hillside Homes are designed to suit different needs and lifestyle requirements as the open-plan layout can easily be transformed into a work space or a play space. To maximize daylight and natural ventilation, large windows are incorporated as home seekers prioritize bright and airy abodes following months of restricted movement.
These spacious open layouts also foster connectivity between people and places, an integral pillar of Gamuda Land’s development philosophy, while imparting a sense of freedom much-sought after by homebuyers.

Convenient living amidst nature

As part of Gamuda Gardens, Illaria Hillside Homes residents can enjoy modern conveniences without having to venture out from the development. The township features a Waterfront Village overlooking a majestic lake and provides food and dining options, a grocer, ample co-working spaces, and a Gardens Wellness club that offers sports and wellness facilities.

A mere 20-minute drive from Petaling Jaya, the 328ha township located in north Sungai Buloh captivates people with its 20ha pet-friendly central park featuring two waterfalls, five cascading lakes, and abundant community places.
With easy access to the North-South Expressway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway, as well as LATAR Expressway, the developer is upping the ante by introducing exciting attractions under its Xploria placemaking initiative to cater to the recreational and entertainment needs of its residents and surrounding communities.
Gamuda Land has also earmarked plots for medical and educational centres, lifestyle retailtainment zones, offices, and commercial spaces, as it enhances vibrancy of the self-sustaining township for the benefit of residents and Northern Klang Valley as a whole.
 — End of Press Release —

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 Illaria Hillside Homes sold out in 2 hours

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Gamuda Garden’s Illaria Hillside Homes sold out in 2 hours.

Gamuda Garden’s Illaria Hillside Homes had a special public preview on 10th October (Saturday). Illaria Hillside Homes It consists of townhouses and two-storey link homes. Sizes ranged from 18′ x 65′ to 22′ x 70′. Prices… this is within Gamuda Gardens yeah. It starts from RM480,000. How’s the result? One word, positive.

In many conversations, the naysayers continue to insist they will only buy when the market crashes. Here we are, debating those who said the property market is going to collapse and doing our best to provide numbers and analysis. Well, this latest launch (NOT somewhere with a KL address) which has somehow attracted 2,800 registrations.

Image source:
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/content/advertise/gamuda-gardens-illaria-fully-taken-up

Article in theedgemarkets.com
  The public preview was just a few days before the start of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). It was a special 2-hour preview for registrants. Illaria Hillside Homes is located at the peak of Gamuda Gardens and it comprises three-storey townhouses and two-storey link homes with three to four bedrooms. The land areas of Illaria Hillside homes vary from 18′ x 65′ to 22′ x 70′.

Chu Wai Lune, General Manager of Gamuda Gardens said, “Residents at Illaria Hillside Homes can look forward to the scenic view of Gamuda Gardens or spend evenings gazing at the stars from the hilltop viewing platform. At the 3.6ha private park located within the precinct, residents can find an outdoor playground and obstacle course, and a yoga space for residents of all ages.”

Chu added that Illaria Hillside Homes is also all about its community and social spaces. These include a community garden, fruit orchard and a Sakura Lane. Co-living amenities such as a community kitchen, a barbecue area and a hilltop co-working space also make this an enviable address. The development also benefits from its auspicious layout – translating into an abundance of good, positive energy for residents. Do read the full article here which also includes many comments from the buyers too.
Article in theedgemarkets.com

By the way, buying a home within Gamuda Gardens are likely to be people looking to become a resident there. If they were buying so that they could rent out the properties in the future, I think there are many more choices nearer to KL city centre yeah. Probably some of them were attracted to the whole Gamuda Gardens because it is designed as a township of 810 acres with many facilities and of course the many cascading waterfall features too.

Well, perhaps the current COVID-19 has also helped many to decide to move a little further away but for a much bigger space and environment. After all, working from home seems to have become a norm these days. If you happened to be one of those who booked a unit, let us know why you booked it yeah. Cheers.

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Illegal agents rising? Blame all please.

Reported in propertyguru.com.my today, according to the The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Malaysia (BOVAEA), the number of cases due to illegal real estate brokers are increasing and it will continue to increase if there are no solutions forthcoming. The Board said that it will work with the relevant government agencies to trace and bring these illegal ones to justice. The number quoted was 50,000 within Malaysia alone. These unscrupulous illegal ‘brokers’ are cheating the public with various methods.

For example, a certified negotiator recently learnt that his photograph was printed on name cards with different companies and distributed to unsuspecting shop lot owners who were duped into paying sales and rental deposits.

Actually, there are no quick fixes to a problem when there has been insufficient attention and enforcement for the past many years. There are many of these illegal brokers who have been helping buyers secure units from sellers because they happen to stay in the area. They just did not want to be tied to any agency. Perhaps they know they are wrong, perhaps they pretend they do not know but if all the 50,000 illegal agents are all cheaters, the number of cases cannot be so low today. It should be filling up newspaper articles everyday and the public would already know that they are really stupid to still trust these ‘cheaters.’ This has not yet happened because the illegal brokers feel that they would not be caught and truth is, not many have been caught thus far.

As for the homeowners who engages them, can we blame them squarely? I have many friends who complained to me about the lazy real estate negotiators. Some would not pick up phones before 10am everyday and some would only allow viewing at a time most convenient to them instead of the potential buyers. There are definitely also those who are attached to a licensed agency but they too took deposits and ran away. Besides, if I am a homeowner and I wanted to sell my property the first one who connects me to some potential buyers would be the one whom I trust the most. It may not even occur to me that I should resist these illegal brokers and use the licensed ones instead.

Personally, I would use only licensed real estate negotiators. I have a few trusted ones. However, unless the issues above are solved, these cases would continue to increase, as predicted by BOVAEA. Seriously, it’s time to catch a few and publish to the world if we are serious in making Malaysia as regulated as Singapore or even Hong Kong. There, anyone looking to sell or rent knows that they should look for real estate negotiators. Of course, not every single one but it’s definitely much more regulated. Are we ready to start?

written on 14 July 2015

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No place for illegal brokers, more concrete actions needed.

Let’s listen to what a former President of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (
MIEA
) has to say about illegal brokers. His
article appeared in NST just days ago. Reference here.
  “A word of caution to the general public: DO NOT DEAL WITH ANY ESTATE AGENT WHO IS NOT REGISTERED. The consequences, should something go wrong, are dire. And if the amount of money involved is big enough, you may find it difficult to financially recover from the ordeal. All bona-fide Real Estate Agents and Negotiators are registered with the Board of Valuers, Appraisers & Estate Agents. Each of them is given a tag by the board which they are supposed to display prominently at every meeting, viewing or inspection. When dealing with estate agents, always ask to see their tag. If they don’t have a tag, don’t deal with them. NO TAG, NO TALK.”
Please refer here for his full article.

Here’s what our Minister of Housing and Local Government
Zuraida Kamaruddin said in another article in TheSundaily.my
 She shared that the ministry is sad that not even ONE illegal broker had ever been charge in any court. The Housing and Local Government Ministry will start to tackle the issue of illegal brokers. She said, “I am concerned that such brokers are having a time of their life in practising illegally, resulting in the public being cheated or misrepresented.” Zuraida noted that as it was a housing-related issue, she was willing to discuss the matter with the relevant entities on how best to mitigate the problem to ensure the real estate practice was safeguarded. She added, “I wish to stress that … we have no place for illegal brokers.”
Here’s that full article for reference.

Hopefully this time it’s going to be a tough time for the illegal brokers. I also would like to listen to the actual plans that our Minister of Housing and Local Government will be rolling out. Consultations with the market must start asap and this time, all parties to help it make it work. MIEA has a huge role to play too; teaching the RENs how to keep warning their customers again and again about the dangers of illegal brokers too. These days, accountability is so important. We should always work towards a better Malaysia. As for RENs who are NOT professional at all despite having tags, actually this is one major reason why illegal brokers continued to be trusted by the public too. All the best yeah to everyone involved in the real estate industry.

written on 23 Oct 2018

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Financial news: IMF chief economist says that inflation could remain high until 2025.

I hate inflation and at the same time I hope there is still some inflation

As someone with asset investments (real ones and not the speculative ones), inflation meant that the price of those assets would move upwards with every passing year. That’s good for anyone with an asset. At the same time, whenever I spend money, I noticed that prices have continued to move up. My favourite bowl of fish soup noodle used to be once upon a time RM5. Then, 10% up to RM5.50 and today, it’s RM11. I have no idea if the ingredients really did increase in price that much.

That’s the effects from inflation. When it moves higher, prices follow. So, while I hate inflation, I also hope there is some inflation. Else, my assets would not increase in price. That’s not good. If there are no price appreciation at all, then better not buy anything. In the end the whole economy stalls. Please remember that one reason we get salary increment is to that we could afford to live above the inflation rate. Otherwise we will be worse off every year with the same salary and yet higher prices for food, goods and services.

Here’s the latest news about inflation by International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Article in nst.com.my
  The underlying drivers of historically-high global inflation could persist until 2025, the International Monetary Fund’s chief economist told AFP.

IMF has raised its inflation forecast for 2023 to 7 percent. Prices around the world have surged since the rapid reopening of the global economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas the IMF chief economist said this about inflation. “It probably won’t be until the end of 2024, maybe into 2025.”

“The persistence of core inflation means that central banks may have to keep their interest rates higher for longer,” he said.

Gourinchas warned that there may be other financial institutions like SVB that are over-exposed to interest rate risks, which could cause problems if rates stay high while central banks fight inflation. Please do read the full article here:
Article in nst.com.my

Can we afford inflated inflation?

I believe if the whole world is suffering from a higher inflation, Malaysia will not so special to escape from it. This is why current subsidies such as that for petrol or even toll is unlikely to be removed but the restructuring of the subsidy from a general one into a more targeted one would now be happening as soon as possible. 7 percent, if it happens is very high. Imagine spending RM30,000 per year on goods and services. It will now be an extra RM2,100 per year.

Someone spending RM30,000 per year may have an income of RM45,000 per year. Could the increment be an amount which is higher than RM2,100 increase due to inflation this year? Assuming it’s 5% for a salary of RM45,000 the increment amount is RM2,250. This amount is not yet deducted for taxes. So, for someone in this scenario, the quality of life for 2023 may be almost the same or lower than 2022 but unlikely to be better. This is why countries want to tame inflation and this is why we say a good investment will be a great hedge against inflation.

By the way, negative inflation (aka deflation) is not considered great for a country yeah

This is what International Monetary Fund says about negative inflation.
“Although high inflation hurts an economy,
deflation
, or falling prices, is not desirable either. When prices are falling, consumers delay making purchases if they can, anticipating lower prices in the future. For the economy this means less economic activity, less income generated by producers, and lower economic growth. Japan is one country with a long period of nearly no economic growth, largely because of deflation.”
Read the full
article here in IMF’s website.

Hopefully the prediction of 7 percent does not come true 100 percent yeah. Hopefully just half or lower than half. Happy wishing for it everyone.

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IMF’s Lagarde: 2016 will be “disappointing”

Do I believe the InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF)? Well, let’s just say I will believe what I want to believe from what I read. Okay, reported in many media from an article in Reuters, IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde said that the rising interest rates in United States and economic slowdown in China were contributing to uncertainty and a higher risk of economic vulnerability worldwide. In brief, she said that the 2016 global economic growth would be “disappointing.” This was written in a guest article for German newspaper Handelsblatt. I do not think the article is in English. 🙂

Other reasons that the growth would be disappointing is the considerably slower world trade growth as well as the decline in raw material prices. The financial sector in many countries has weaknesses and risks are actually rising in emerging markets. Malaysia is definitely classified as an emerging economy currently. She added that other reasons include low productivity, ageing populations and the effects of the global financial crisis. All these are really pulling the growth down. I think she is giving a warning to the Federal Reserve of the US when she said that rising US interest rates and a stronger dollar may cause firms to default on their payments and this would ultimately affect the banks and states.

Everything seems to indicate that what we have been reading are all pointing to the same place; slowing 2016 and things may be getting worse. In fact, a recent report about the banks in Malaysia showed that the total profit numbers are on a downtrend while the provision for non-performing-loans were increasing. Of course, do not be mistaken. Profits are still healthy and continuing but it’s no longer on a rising trend. So, we should be wary that slow times are indeed visiting us in 2016. Well, when tough times come, the tough gets going. Are we one of the tough ones? Keep reading and adjusting our sail yeah. Happy New Year 2016.

written on 1 Jan 2016

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Negative thoughts but contrary actions?

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IMF to Malaysia: Growing yes but WATCH OUT

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had just said some good things, some warnings and even additional information about the state of the economy in Malaysia. You can read the full
here
 or the brief below. (With comments by someone without an economic degree, that’s me.)

Watch out! Two major issues for Malaysia is the country’s high public sector and household debt levels. This will be a concern should the global financial stress spills over to our economy.  Of course, it also said that the debt ratio to GDP will decline (good news) but the percentage remain high.  (I think this is the best watch out message for Malaysia.  In brief, as long as the world does not fall into an unforeseen crisis, we should coast along. Malaysia is on the improving track in terms of debt to GDP percentage) Read a bit more here:
GDP growth, deficits and A-ratings as per Fitch ratings

Good news.:)  Malaysia’s economy can be considered resilient as it was able to adjust to lower global oil prices. Malaysia has a diversified economy along with exchange rate flexibility. This has buffered the real economy from the commodity price shock, while deep financial markets have helped absorb global financial market volatility. Especially for BNM, IMF said this, “Risks of a severe downturn in the financial cycle appear to be low, mainly due to a resilient banking system and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)’s prudent policies and oversight.” ( What a great endorsement right. Commodity prices falling like crazy and lower global oil prices… yet we are at this moment still growing. Yes, I have always been proud of our BNM governors.  ) About the ringgit? Read here:
International Reserves, after the Ringgit’s sudden tumble

Conclusion from IMF? Their actual words ok. “Malaysian economy will continue to perform well, despite significant headwinds. Real GDP growth is projected at 4.2 per cent for 2016, underpinned by resilient domestic demand and projected to increase to around 4.5 per cent in 2017. Over the medium term, potential economic growth is expected to be between 4.5 and 5 per cent.”  (I think it’s clear that IMF does not say a lot of good things about Malaysia but I think this clearly show that Malaysia will continue to grow, not just in 2016 but 2017 and beyond. Do google for what IMF said about Malaysia when we introduced capital control in 1998. The only worry would be IF the world
 spins into a crisis again
. Let’s wish it does not…)  Happy following.

written on 15 Dec 2016

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Household Debt Malaysia vs Assets, as per Allianz Global Wealth Report

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