Three New Roads to be Built soon
- to alleviate traffic congestion in Inanam

Published on: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 by Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Three new roads will be built or upgraded soon as a short-term solution to alleviate traffic congestion in Inanam.

Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) Director Datuk John Anthony said work on one of the roads, Jalan Nountun-Bukit Padang, is already underway and expected to be completed by end of next year.

The 2.6km single carriageway road is estimated to cost the State Government RM9 million.

"Due to congestion especially during peak hours, we want to provide an alternative for people who live in Kionsom or Inanam to go in and out of the area without having to travel on Jalan Lintas.

"Road users from Kionsom also could avoid using the Inanam roundabout and, instead, use the alternative road (the Jalan Nountun Bukit Padang) in the future," said Anthony.

The Jalan Nountun Bukit Padang will start from Taman Khidmat in Bukit Padang and end in the flat housing area near Taman Nelly in Kolombong.

Anthony was speaking during a project inspection and site visit with Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development, Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, in Inanam.

"As a long-term solution, we would upgrade the existing Jalan Minintod-Kibabaig into a dual carriageway as well as build a flyover to replace the roundabout there," he said.

Other than the Jalan Nountun-Bukit Padang, plans are afoot for the construction of another road near St. Catherine Church to the Inanam tamu site that would redistribute some of the traffic to and from Kionsom area.

"It is less than half a kilometre, a short stretch but a very important stretch because it can divert some of the traffic," said Anthony.

The cost of the single carriageway stretch is estimated to be around RM500,000. It is expected to be completed within this year.

Meanwhile, the third road will bypass the Inanam roundabout and will be built over the existing Kampung Sinulihan road.

The Kionsom Bypass, as it would be called, would be a 1.5km dual carriageway which would be built from behind the Taipan area in Inanam and would meet the Kionsom road at the end of the Kampung Sinulihan road.

"So far, the design for the road has been completed. But we would probably only start building early next year once funds are made available," said PWD Deputy Director (Road Building) Edward Liew.

"The cost for the Kionsom Bypass is around RM15 million because although it is only 1.5km, it would be a dual carriageway compared to Jalan Nountun Bukit Padang's 2.6km which is a single carriageway costing only about RM9 million," said Anthony.

There are more than 10,000 people living in the Kionsom area and the number is expected to increase with the construction of more housing projects in the area. The large population also translates to more severe traffic congestion if nothing is done to alleviate it.

"It is hoped therefore that these projects would help solve the problems in the short term as we plan for long term solutions to them," said Anthony.

source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=86124

Buyers compensated RM1.5m for delay

Published on: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 by Daily Express 

Kota Kinabalu: Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) and joint venture partner Kinsadana Sdn Bhd, recently, forked out RM1.5 million to pay 125 buyers of Putatan Platinum Apartment for late delivery of the property.

The payment was made to the buyers at Wisma Kinsabina on July 20 where affected buyers were each given a cheque.

Francis Goh, Managing Director of Kinsadana and President of Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) said house buyers must know their rights.

He said this in reference to recent complaints from purchasers when they were caught unaware of late charges being imposed on them.

"When a purchaser fails to make the progressive payment for more than 14 days it has become due, the developer has the right to charge the late interest charges into the particular progressive claim.

"And we, in good faith, will give purchasers notice up to 21 days," he said.

Under the standard Sales and Purchase Agreement, he said, buyers are given two months grace period to get their loan agreement signed and pay up any progressive claims due.

"They have to proceed with the necessary bank requirements as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary hiccups along the way such as payment of any differential sums," he said.

They also, he said, must urge the lawyer to process the loan agreement as soon as possible.

Thus, purchasers cannot deny that they are not the party involved as the loan and the unit belongs to them, he said.

But he stressed that the developers have to pay the buyers for any delay in the delivery of vacant possession of the property.

The amount, Goh said, is calculated after the completion period of 36 months at the rate of 8 per cent per annum of the purchase price commencing immediately from the expiry date until the date of issuance of Occupation Certificate (OC) and delivery of vacant possession to the purchasers.

Every developer is required to use the standard form of Sales and Purchase Agreement, which is approved by the Housing Controller, he said.

"But under circumstances that are beyond the developer's control and as members of Shareda who abide by the rules and regulations, we will honour the late interest payment to all qualified buyers," he said.

Meanwhile, SPNB Branch Manager, Mohd Hafiz Sua thanked Goh who assisted SPNB to complete the building.

He said the delay was unforeseen on SPNB's part.

source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=86185

 Building a landmark in Sabah

Published: Tuesday July 23, 2013 by The Star

Tropicana Landmark, a high-rise residential development in Kota Kinabalu, garnered keen interest and positive response at its recent roadshow at 1 Borneo Hypermall/City Mall and the Property Investment and Home Expo (Pihex).

The luxury development by Tropicana Corporation Bhd, ­formerly known as Dijaya Corporation Bhd, achieved a 50% take-up rate during its special preview.

Tropicana Landmark offers residents an eco-contemporary architecture and custom designed resort-style elements with beautifully crafted stone walls and tranquil water feature at the lobby area.

The fifth-level sky deck invites residents to relax at the indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, squash court, sky lounge and sky garden. With a gross development value of RM101mil, Tropicana Landmark will occupy 0.53ha of leasehold land within Bundusan in Kota Kinabalu.

The 19-storey condominium overlooks Mount Kinabalu and the Sabah Golf & Country Club. It is accessible via the Luyang, Kolombong and Bundusan Highway. Modern conveniences such as the Lido Market, City Hall, Damai & Lintas Commercial Centre, Sabah Medical Centre and Luyang Clinic are just a short stroll away.

Living density is kept low with only 149 suites starting from the sixth floor to the penthouse at the 19th floor.

Each suite encompasses a total built-up area ranging from 1,214 sq ft to 2,753 sq ft and is designed to maximise daylight while providing views of Sabah Golf & Country Club, Mount Kinabalu and Tun Fuad Stephen Leisure Park.

“Sabah is one of the key growth corridors in the country. Kota Kinabalu, in particular, has been experiencing a hive of building activities.

“Tropicana Landmark is our first venture into East Malaysia thus catapulting the Tropicana brand beyond Peninsular Malaysia. We will continue to deliver cutting-edge concepts and expand our horizons thus reinforcing our position as a game-changer in the industry, said group managing director Datuk Dickson Tan.

Also included in each unit were three units of air-conditioners, two units of water heater and built-in kitchen cabinets.

Tropicana Landmark is on target for completion in the third quarter of next year.

Source:  http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/07/23/Building-a-landmark-in-Sabah-Project-marks-developers-first-foray-into-Kota-Kinabalu.aspx

Sagajuta selling Novotel Kota Kinabalu for RM79m

Published on Jul 18, 2013 by PropertyGuru.com.my

Sagajuta Sabah Sdn Bhd, a private entity owned by Datuk Raymond Chan Boon Siew, is selling the Novotel Kota Kinabalu 1Borneo Hotel at an indicative price of RM79 million.

The 16-storey four-star hotel with 269 rooms is being disposed by Sagajuta, which is also owned by Mohd Nazifuddin Najib and Chu Li Tan, among others. According to sources, the hotel has found nine interested bidders so far.

Sabah-based Sagajuta, which is mainly a property development company, also owns the leasehold shopping complex 1Borneo Hypermall in Jalan Sulaman at Kota Kinabalu.

Its recent deals include the 1Likas construction project which has a contract value of RM776 million and the 1Sulaman project, with a gross development value of RM500 million.

According to The Star, originally, Sagajuta was meant to be injected into Chan’s public-listed company Naim Indah. In fact, Naim Indah planned to buy a 60 percent stake in Sagajuta for RM240 million.

However, Naim Indah axed the proposed acquisition agreement on 11 June since “Sagajuta’s rationalising exercise of disposing their assets for immediate funding of Sagajuta group’s working capital requirements” would “inevitably affect the injection value”.

source: http://www.propertyguru.com.my/property-news/2013/7/10175/sagajuta-selling-novotel-kota-kinabalu-for-rm79m

Shareda: Guidelines needed on affordable homes

Published on: Monday, July 08, 2013

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) is proposing a Guidelines and Standards for the 10,000 affordable houses to be built in Sabah in the next five years.

It's President Francis Goh said the commitment of building 10,000 units of Shareda-MLGH affordable homes was derived after a thorough checking with the association's members that there would be 22 affordable home projects soon to be implemented.

He said Shareda would be meeting personally with the each developer to iron out issues in order for the scheme to become a reality. He believed that it would take about a month for Shareda to complete everything before presenting the proposal to the Ministry.

"After I was elected as President on March 27, 2013, Shareda received a letter from MLGH to impose a 30 per cent quota for affordable homes that must be incorporated in every of our future development plan submission.

"I managed to convince the Ministry that Shareda members had in the past built a lot of affordable homes but it was not announced publicly.

"Under my leadership, I vouched to Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor that we are willing to commit and build 10,000 units of affordable homes for the state in the next five years.

"Shareda is willing to commit the above numbers because about 16,052 units of affordable homes were built since 2010," he said.

Goh said that currently, 15,030 units were already completed and another 1,022 units under progress and expected to be ready before end of 2013.

"Due to the above evidence, the Minister is kind enough to accept our offer and, thus, the said affordable home policy was then retracted," he said, adding that Shareda's commitment of 10,000 units was without applying any force towards its members. He said it had also come to his attention that some developers were also building landed properties and medium cost apartments 10km within the city centre. However, due to the expensive land cost, they have to sell these at more than RM300,000 to RM400,000 per unit.

"For this type of products, our fellow Shareda members may now have a good opportunity to joint venture with PR1MA Berhad, a company incorporated under Prime Minister Department who will identify feasible locations in the major township like Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Dato to build another 20,000 units of affordable homes with their selling price set from RM150,000 to RM400,000," he said.

According to him, Shareda was willing to commit and build more affordable homes for Sabah as it acknowledged the fact that the lower income earner earning less than RM2,500 per month have encountered mounting difficulties in purchasing a house which normally sells more than RM350,000 especially in the urban area.

The main reason for the price hike on properties was due to expensive land acquisition, he said. "Despite our commitment to the Ministry, Shareda always see the investment of developing affordable homes is fulfilling our corporate social responsibility rather than profit motivated.

"Thus, to ensure the above commitment can be fulfilled, the most important criteria have always lingered in developer's mind is the marketing risk," he said.

Goh advised Shareda members who wished to implement the same affordable home schemes in the same location, then they should reconsider as to avoid market competition or they can even joint venture with GLC like SPNB, JPN or PR1MA Berhad to reduce their market risks.

"I have to thank SPNB, JPN and PR1MA Berhad after a meeting with them, they fully agreed with my proposal that in order to complement those Government linked companies not to waste their valuable time in finding good feasible land to implement more affordable home projects, why not they sit down with Shareda members and tell us where you want to build as most of our members may have good feasible land to enter into a joint venture with the respective Government linked companies," he said.

It is for this reason, he had also consulted and discussed with all the key players such like SPNB, JPN, PR1MA Berhad to join force and work hand in hand to collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government so that many completed affordable home projects not being sold or occupied in West Malaysia will not happen here in Sabah.

Towards this end, Goh reiterated that Shareda had proposed that a special task force committee to be formed by the Ministry.

The MLGH affordable home special task force, he said may include industrial players and affordable home providers as committee members to collaborate closely with the Ministry in monitoring the overall progress, performance and speed for the implementation of affordable home schemes in Sabah.

"The special task force should assist all developers and Government linked companies to expedite the approval of development orders and to create certain incentives to be given back to those developers who assist the Government to build more affordable homes.

"The task force shall oversee the design, location, size and pricing as to fit the needs of the lower income group.

Guidelines and requirements must be set property to fit all affordable home providers without any conflict of interest," he said.

Goh also thanked the speakers from three respective key players of affordable homes providers namely the SPNB Sabah Branch head, Reggie Sua @ Mohd. Haffiz Sua, Haji Muzafar Mohamed who is the Vice President, Planning and Development for PR1MA Berhad and Datuk Mohamad Yusoff Ghazali, Deputy Director of Jabatan Perumahan Negara.

Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=85981