29 minute read
A round up of events and happenings within the industry
NS BlueScope Malaysia goes big on solar energy
NS BlueScope Malaysia, one of the main producers of coated steel in the country, celebrated a new milestone in BlueScope’s 2050 Net Zero Goal with the construction of its 33,930m2 solar farm, NS BlueScope SunField.
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The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 16 December 2021 and attended by His Excellency Dr Justin Lee, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia; Koh Boon Hong, Country President of NS BlueScope Malaysia; Management Team of NS BlueScope Malaysia, Business Partners and esteemed guests.
“The NS BlueScope SunField is an example of our commitment to renewable energy. Guided by BlueScope’s decarbonisation pathway to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, we are gearing up to decarbonise our o perations through empowering our people and adopting new technologies,” said Koh.
The NS BlueScope Sunfield, comprising 9,629 photovoltaic (PV) panels, will be constructed on NS BlueScope’s Kapar Manufacturing Plant. It is estimated to be completed by May 2022.
Koh said the solar powerhouse can generate 7,007,364 kWh over a year, which is sufficient to power 1,678 residential homes. It will help to reduce 4,477 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually compared with using fossil fuel or the equivalent of 29,430 fewer passenger cars or planting 42,033 trees.
“To make the NS BlueScope SunField possible, we have devoted an initial investment of RM16 million. Tapping into the strength of steel, we are able to introduce a resilient solution that could sustain the generation of clean energy for at least 25 years,” added Koh.
“Our existing initiatives today including the NS BlueScope SunField represent a 23.9% reduction in greenhouse gasses. Using the year 2018 as a baseline, this is expected to enable the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Bigger plans are en route to bring us closer to our decarbonisation pathway, which include the introduction of green smart office, EV charging stations, water recycling, EV forklifts and many more,” he explained.
The NS BlueScope SunField is one of the major milestones in NS BlueScope Malaysia’s climate change strategy. Earlier initiatives include the Solar LED Street Lights, Rainwater Harvesting, Wastewater Treatment, Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO), and the continuous optimisation of energy efficiency in the company’s manufacturing operations.
NS BlueScope Malaysia is a part of BlueScope Steel Ltd Australia, one of the world’s largest manufacturers listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: BSL) for premium metallic coated and painted steel building products. The strength of BlueScope is its global network with more than 100 facilities in 18 countries. It has a staff strength of more than 14,000 across the globe.
Nippon Paint announces Malaysian Winners of AYDA 2021
The 14th instalment of Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA 2021) in Malaysia has successfully concluded as the winners were announced via a live virtual awards ceremony held on 30 December 2021.
Organised by Nippon Paint Malaysia in collaboration with long-standing partner IJM Land Berhad, AYDA 2021 garnered a total of 1,276 entries for both the Architecture and Interior Design categories.
Themed ‘FORWARD: Amplifying Empathy Through Design’, this year’s AYDA challenges the next generation of designers to grow beyond designing one-dimensional space and incorporate the evolving demands of consumers while factoring in sustainability and environmental care.
Nippon Paint Malaysia Group Managing Director, Yaw Seng Heng said: “Today’s design demands the need for increased levels of emotional understanding. Designers are now required to make essential decisions in maximising commercial value while protecting the aspects of nature and human emotions. Our winners prominently portrayed the theme’s objective in their designs with conscious design solutions incorporating sustainability, and social and emotional factors in mind.”
Muhammad Afzal bin Hasmi from International Islamic University Malaysia bagged the winning prize for the Architectural category with his project titled ‘Sejahtera Community Center’. The design with innovative facilities aims to empower local entrepreneurship so that people’s livelihood and social needs can be sustained during the “new normal” in achieving a harmonious and resilient socio-economic community.
Meanwhile, Amirah Afiqah binti Abdullah from City University of Malaysia emerged as the winner for the Interior Design category with her project ‘Bakau’. The design aims to develop an agricultural hub with various activities such as commercial, social, education and a preservation centre so that mankind can live within the ecosystem of mangrove forests for sustainable living in the environment.
Both Muhammad Afzal and Amirah Afiqah will take their winning designs and represent Malaysia in the international grand finals against finalists from 16 countries. The grand prize winners from the two categories will then receive a fully-funded 6-week Design Discovery programme at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in Boston, USA worth US$10,000 next year.
This year’s competition marks AYDA’s second virtual event in light of COVID-19 restrictions. Nippon Paint Malaysia took special care to include several digital interactions and virtual coaching sessions, ensuring participants were able to interact with industry mentors and coaches. Participants were able to gain first-hand industry knowledge and were exposed to various online workshops by experienced lecturers and industry professionals through the CAKAPLAH! Sessions.
Antonio Riggio, Operations Manager of Tecnopails, IM Group.
Tecnopails reveals “Lavelli A21” – the world’s first liquid paints
Tecnopails, the dedicated filling division of the recently rebranded, IM GROUP (formerly Inkmaker Group), has unveiled the world’s first automated system for coupling lids with latches, in time for the year-end festive period.
Tecnopails, which was acquired by IM GROUP early last year, specialises in the design and production of customised automated systems for dosing, sealing and labelling for Ink, paint and chemical containers, produced the innovative machines for a renowned European multinational company that develops innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
Known as the “Lavelli A21” (after its creator Luigi Lavelli), the two twin machines conceived in unison with Tecnopails’ client, are specifically designed to produce the ultimate packaging solution and effectively minimise any operator’s actions to that of just placing a lid, with latch, onto a container. The operation of packing the ready-stacked lids – currently the only action remaining for an operator to handle – has also been predesigned to be fully integrated into the existing system using IoT and industry 4.0 technology.
“The main reasons behind our being the first to develop this machine can be attributed to our 40 years of experience in the sector, coupled with IM GROUP’s significant investment in R&D and industry 4.0 automation; the smart technology used enabled us to craft these machines to interface with the customer’s management system, as well as to predesign them for future integration and automation of potentially many more process phases, within an industry 4.0 context,” explained Antonio Riggio, Operations Manager of Tecnopails. “We are very proud of this achievement, firstly because these machines are the first of their kind in the world but also because they have produced another example of quality Italian engineering at its best.”
The system utilises two stations, where operators can load lids and latches in a totally safe environment, even whilst the machine is in motion. The machine then automatically assembles both lid and latch, pairs them, and then uniformly stacks them. The smart system is programmed to automatically detect the orientation, in which any handle has been positioned, eliminating the necessity for the latches to be stored in a precise order by the operator. Additionally, each machine comes equipped with a user-friendly touch screen to facilitate the GUI interface.
From left: Richard Soo (Project Director of KSK Land), Vincent Tan (Executive Director of KSK Land), Joanne Kua (CEO of KSK Group and Managing Director of KSK Land), Ar Hud Bakar (Managing & Design Director of RSP Architects KL), Cheah Ham Cheia (Group Managing Director of GDB), and Alexander Lo (Group Executive Director of GDB), at the official topping out ceremony of YOO8 Tower A at 8 Conlay.
KSK Land has also announced the successful completion of its fullyfurnished mock-up units in YOO8 Tower A by Steve Leung & YOO, which showcases the build quality and design of a sought-after branded residence.
KSK Land tops out first tower of YOO8 branded residences serviced by Kempinski at 8 Conlay
KSK Land, Malaysia’s leading lifestyle and design property company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of KSK Group Berhad recently celebrated the structural topping out of the first tower (“Tower A”) of YOO8 branded residences serviced by Kempinski.
“We are proud and thankful to have braved through the pandemic and arrived at this important milestone for 8 Conlay without any major accidents or injuries. While the past year was indeed challenging, we observed that there is in fact stronger interest in the local market for branded residences like YOO8 compared to pre-COVID times, while the international market remains engaged. Based on a recent global buyer study, there are now more buyers seeking hotel-integrated residences for their branded services and amenities, high-yield potential and quality property management. As international borders begin to reopen, we look forward to welcoming visitors who are enthusiastic about owning a branded residence to our sales gallery,” said Joanne Kua, CEO of KSK Group and Managing Director of KSK Land, during the topping out ceremony held on 18 November 2021.
Located on nearly four acres of freehold land at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, 8 Conlay encompasses three skylineenhancing towers, which features the world’s tallest twisted twin residential towers – the YOO8 serviced by Kempinski branded residences, with interiors designed by Steve Leung & YOO (Tower A) and Kelly Hoppen for YOO (Tower B); the first and only five-star Kempinski Hotel in Malaysia; and four-storeys worth of experiential lifestyle retail quarters.
Following the structural completion of the project’s first branded residential tower, KSK Land will be pushing forward with plans for its handover by the end of 2022 and the second tower (“Tower B”) by mid-2023.
KSK Land also unveiled the latest features in its 8 Conlay homeowner mobile app, which includes mobile lift access
control; smart home control in partnership with Lutron; visitor management; vacant possession and defect management; and an in-app chat, voice call or video call function that directly connects to the concierge.
Built by KSK Land’s data & tech arm, KSK City Labs, the mobile app is designed to seamlessly elevate homeowners’ experience at 8 Conlay, encompassing the entire journey from purchase to residency and property management. More new features will be introduced down the line, including a chat function that connects YOO8 residents directly to Kempinski’s Lady-in-Red for access to the hotel’s hallmark services such as butler on call, private chef service, housekeeping, residential provisioning, tailoring and more.
The Tropicana Industrial Park consists of eight phases with plots of land between one and three acres ready for sale to light and medium industries.
Tropicana heralds a new industrial park in Iskandar Malaysia
Tropicana Corporation Berhad has unveiled the Group’s first Industrial Park during a groundbreaking ceremony in Iskandar Malaysia recently. This 1,188-acre industrial park is the only centralised industrial park in the district, set to spur economic growth in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.
“We are grateful to YAB Dato' Haji Hasni Mohammad, the Johor Menteri Besar, for officiating our groundbreaking ceremony. The Tropicana Industrial Park is situated in a prime location and enjoys unparalleled connectivity. Investors will be pleased to know we provide a whole host of infrastructure, conveniences, and facilities. We are confident the plots will see swift take-up,” said Lee Han Ming, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tropicana.
“Iskandar Malaysia, covering 2,217sq km, is an important economic corridor in the country since its inception in 2006. It focuses on holistic and comprehensive growth, balancing economic prosperity, quality living, and sustainability. Its development is guided by the Comprehensive Development Plan and the Circle of Sustainability and planned, promoted, and facilitated by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). Electrical and electronics, petroleum and oleo-chemical, food and agroprocessing, logistics, tourism, creative, healthcare, education, and financial and business processes are the region’s nine promoted sectors. We target to achieve a population of three million and RM383 billion in cumulative investment by 2025. I am pleased Tropicana Industrial Park will help the state government achieve our targets and contribute to an investment-friendly environment,” said Johor Menteri Besar YAB Dato' Haji Hasni Mohammad.
Tropicana Industrial Park consists of eight phases with plots of land between one and three acres ready for sale to light and medium industries, priced at RM67 per sq ft.
The Tropicana Industrial Park sets out to redefine the industrial landscape by providing a wealth of amenities, facilities, and infrastructure on-site such as high-speed fibre optic services; safe, comfortable dormitories with 18,000 beds; an accumulative size of 10-acre industrial facilities depot to support the overall development and operation of the industrial park; a recreational park and lake with landscape design for outdoor activities including a jogging path and a cycling track.
The Tropicana Industrial Park’s groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Johor Menteri Besar YAB Dato' Haji Hasni Mohammad.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Tropicana Industrial Park at Iskandar Malaysia.
Tropicana also offers bespoke business support services to prospective and future occupants of the industrial park, including the setting up of business registration, guidance on approval of licenses, planning and design of industrial space, manpower recruitment, accommodation for the workforce, workplace safety procedures, assistance on internet services, customisation of factory, assistance on government incentives, as well as connecting with local and foreign business associations, chambers of commerce, and national authorities such as MITI and MIDA.
Hatten Land signs Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with Huawei
SGX Catalist-listed Hatten Land Limited has recently announced on 27 December 2021 that its wholly-owned subsidiary Hatten Edge Pte Ltd has entered into a Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with global leading information and communications technology (ICT) provider Huawei International Pte Ltd.
Under the CCA, Hatten and Huawei will jointly explore and develop opportunities in cloud computing and enterprise intelligence, renewable energy, data centres, fintech infrastructure in Melaka and the region by utilising their respective capabilities in technology, operational resources and business networks. In addition, both companies aim to work on potential opportunities for large-scale solar facilities in the region, thereby augmenting Hatten’s sustainability efforts. As a start, Hatten’s first PV project of installing over 6,000 solar panels on the roof of the largest mall in Melaka, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, in 2022, will be equipped by Huawei’s smart inverters.
Hatten has substantial hospitality and commercial property businesses and assets in Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a major tourist attraction in Southeast Asia. Hatten has recently had undertaken a major strategic review to re-purpose its malls and to pivot its business model towards blockchainrelated and digital economy trends as well as opportunities in digital assets.
Hatten’s digital opportunities include building a “Virtual” world, starting with a digital twin city of Melaka (“Digital Melaka”), which will contain NFTs, tokens and other digital assets using blockchain and initiatives. HUAWEI CLOUD will endeavour to support Hatten’s strategies and initiatives in blockchain, NFT, ‘green’ and ‘clean’ digital assets, custodian services and other digital asset creation and monetisation activities by providing its latest research and innovations on industrial-grade infrastructure architecture designed for financial institutions. With the partnership targeted towards the regional markets, there are strong opportunities to leverage on both Huawei and Hatten’s business networks to harness the emerging trends and business opportunities in Asia’s digital economy.
Dato’ Colin Tan, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Hatten, said: “The Huawei-Hatten partnership is a strong and unique complementary combination. Huawei’s expertise in innovation, technology and complex digital product integrations, and Hatten’s established track record and business network in Malaysia and the region will allow us to build the next generation of cloud solutions, digital platforms and renewable energy solutions. Together, working as one team, we aim to unlock the full potential of digital transformations and business opportunities within the new digital economies in Asia.”
Carrier Malaysia launches VRF cooling systems for commercial spaces
Carrier Malaysia has launched the allnew variable refrigerant flow (VRF) XCT7 cooling system for commercial buildings and spaces. Amidst the ease of restrictions and return-to-office (RTO) policies, Carrier Malaysia aims to equip Malaysian businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the right cooling solutions.
This latest innovation by Carrier is capable of serving different usage patterns of different spaces while maintaining building aesthetics and optimizing operational efficiency. Key features of the new VRF cooling system include enhanced performance through its improved refrigerant distribution; increased reliability with anti-liquid shock technology of the compressor; high efficiency in cooling by utilizing an advanced DC compressor with high-efficient fan; incredible flexibility to accommodate almost any building requirement, perfect for limited space applications; and it comes with a wide range of options from a single module to four modules, providing a combined capacity of up to 112 HP and up to 64 indoor units per outdoor system.
Managing Director of Carrier Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei Chong Wai Yen said, “Carrier’s XCT7 cooling system is our first Carrier-branded VRF system to be offered in Malaysia and the seventh generation globally. We aim to provide Malaysian SMEs and business owners with the best solutions that offer superior performance, flexibility and reliability for peace of mind and business continuity for their employees and patrons. In addition, by pairing XCT7 with our air treatment solutions, we can create a more comfortable and safe indoor air environment.”
Carrier is reinforcing its local digital footprint with the launch of its new online presence, the eCarrier Expert Centre (eCEC). The eCEC virtual showroom allows customers to discover all the VRF product features through a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Geo Connect Asia sets to return for second edition
International events organiser Montgomery Asia has announced that the flagship geospatial and location intelligence industry trade show and conference for Southeast Asia, Geo Connect Asia (GCA), is set to return for its second edition in a largely inperson format. Following its incredibly successful debut in 2021, GCA 2022 is expected to double in size in terms of participants and floor space, and will once again bring together the latest innovations in surveying and monitoring equipment, sensors, robotics and mapping solutions, among others.
Scheduled for 23 to 24 March 2022, GCA 2022 and its two complementary industry profiles Digital Construction Asia (DCA) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Asia, will see the geospatial community converge at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore. Additionally, the event will again comprise a virtual component on so that the wider Asian community can share some of the exchanges.
Themed “Geospatial & Location Intelligence Solutions for Asia – Underground, Land & Sea to Sky”, GCA 2022 seeks to address the increasing interplay between ground and satellite technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, amid growing momentum towards a Geospatial 4.0 world. Visitors can look forward to a comprehensive showcase of the latest technologies and solutions for government and non-for-profit markets, and multiple industry verticals.
GCA 2022 sets to host over 80 international exhibitors and 2,500 professional visitors, alongside 100 enterprises, associations and agencies featuring all aspects of geospatial technologies, digital construction and UAV solutions. Over 30% of participating companies at GCA 2022 are new, including drone and aerial providers AECA Solutions, Amuse Oneself Inc, Viscoy and YellowScan; image capture experts PhaseOne; and inspection tech pioneers Screening Eagle.
Additionally, the Geo Connect Asia Conference 2020 will facilitate knowledge transfer among industry players to address some of the world’s leading challenges. Concurrently, GCA 2022 is curating four expert stage programmes, namely Smart Agriculture, Digital Construction Asia, UAV Asia, and Digital Underground Connect. Several free-to-attend programmes include the Tech Talk and PropTech stage.
Inkmaker Shanghai partners with FFM in China
Inkmaker Shanghai, the manufacturer of integrated dispensing systems in China for IM GROUP, has recently announced its partnership with Fast & Fluid Management Asia (FFM Asia) in an auspicious start to 2022.
The union, which was announced on 18 January 2022, will see FFM Asia’s renowned POS (Point of Sales) tinting solutions business collaborate with Inkmaker’s leading expertise in the coating, paint and ink industries, and subsequently strengthens both parties’ foothold in the Greater China market.
“The expertise of Inkmaker in the paint and coating industry made them an obvious choice for us to further boost our share in the critical China market. Their strong background in the in-plant tinting system and our strong relationship with their teams in Malaysia and Indonesia made the decision easier,” said Balu Kuppuswamy, General Manager, Fast & Fluid Management Asia.
FFM Asia, a long-term partner of Inkmaker, has for 30 years built a name for itself as a reliable and innovative leader offering a complete range of paint dispensers, mixers, shakers, and software suitable for a wide range of applications.
Lau Kar Seng, GM of Inkmaker Shanghai and board member of global technology leader IM GROUP concluded, “Fast & Fluid Management Asia is an elite addition to the global brands that we are already associated with. We are confident of building on this association and further strengthening it in the years to come. The ability to customise every single solution to match the specific requirements of our clients remains our biggest USP.”
Founding member of IM GROUP, Inkmaker, is the only European dispensingsystem manufacturer to have an assembly plant in China, which has contributed significantly to its building a prominent network throughout greater China. In 2004 Inkmaker Srl (Italy) and Inkmaker Asia Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) formed Inkmaker Shanghai Ltd Co. The company has since grown to become a recognised and trusted manufacturer, of integrated and automated dispensing and mixing systems, and the preferred partner of many of the largest industry names in their respective sectors across China.
As FFM Asia’s new certified channel partner for China, Inkmaker Shanghai will now focus on the sale of their following products: • X-SMART PRO – An entry-level automatic sequential paint dispenser with high productivity and accurate results. It requires no assembly and comes with up to 16 canisters in 2.25 l.
• X-PROTINT – A high performance automatic sequential paint dispenser that comes with 16 canisters and is bidirectional, solvent-based and waterbased. It is built with future-proof technology for VOC-free colorants across Asian markets. • Harbil Series and AT8000 for in-plant and specialty applications i) Harbil – Built on ZeroPurge™ piston pump and AutoDrive™ technology to ensure futureproof efficiency and reliability for business operation. ii) AT8000 – Built on DVX® pump technology, AT8000 is for highvolume paint departments that need the fastest, most reliable, and highest capacity tinting solution.
LAU KAR SENG
Group board member & General Manager INKMAKER SHANGHAI
• Mixers and Shakers i) SK300 and SK550 1.1 Shakers – SK300 is the entry model in the shaker range of Fast & Fluid. With its capacity of 35kg, it is suitable for all points of sales with a low to medium volume paint turnover. The SK550 1.1 heavy-duty paint shaker incorporates high-quality components. ii) GX300 and GA480 Mixers – Entry level and high-end automatic mixers, with high-performance and intelligent features.
KeTSA Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (centre) with Mr Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Chairman of SEDA Malaysia) at launch of MyRER 2022-2035.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) has officially launched the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap (MyRER).
At the MyRER launch on 30 December 2021, KeTSA Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the Roadmap is to be implemented beginning from year 2022 until 2035. Developed by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia, MyRER details Malaysia’s renewable energy (RE) development plan and highlights the prime route for the transition to a lowcarbon energy system in short and medium terms.
“MyRER outlines a strategic framework to achieve the country’s RE development vision, ‘Towards A Low Carbon Energy System’, through the four technology-specific pillars namely solar, bio-energy, hydro, and new technology & solution. These pillars are further supported by four enabling initiatives that will support the realisation of the target stated in the Roadmap – market readiness, grid flexibility, human capital development and access to financing,” explained the Minister.
MyRER provides guidance to industry players in various areas: • the direction of national RE development in Peninsular
Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak; • the potential, targets and strategic framework as well as expected economic spillover value of the development of RE resources that contribute to aspirations of an increase in the
RE mix in the country’s electricity supply; and • reference for RE capacity projections as well as national strategies to achieve the 31% RE target by 2025 and 40% by 2035.
The KeTSA Minister also stated that through MyRER, the nation’s RE capacity in 2025 will increase by 4,466MW to 12,916MW compared to the capacity in 2020 of 8,450MW. Meanwhile, the projected RE capacity in 2035 will continue to increase by 9,546MW to 17,996MW.
This targeted increase in RE capacity is the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the nation’s aspiration to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050 as well as contributing to the nation’s climate change commitment under the Paris Agreement.
MyRER is a three-pronged approach that will not only enable an increase in Malaysia’s RE capacity, but also assist in meeting the country’s climate change commitments. Additionally, the Roadmap sets to generate economic spillover of about RM20 billion by 2025 and RM33 billion by 2035 and also the creation of an estimated 47,000 employment opportunities in the RE field.
The first Lalaport in Southeast Asia opens in Kuala Lumpur
Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd, a leading global real estate company headquartered in Tokyo, has announced that its flagship project in Southeast Asia under its Malaysian subsidiary MFBBCC Retail Mall Sdn Bhd (established with UDA Holdings Berhad, Eco World Development Group Berhad and Employee Provident Fund Board) located in Bukit Bintang City Centre will commence its operations on 20 January 2022. Approximately 400 stores with an optimal tenant mix will be opened in sequence with numerous wellknown brands from Japan that are making its first appearance in Malaysia.
Upon project delivery and commercialization of LaLaport BBCC, which is the core of the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), the project will become Mitsui Fudosan’s very first LaLaport mall in Southeast Asia and one of the largest commercial facilities with over 82,600sqm of floor space. LaLaport BBCC is Mitsui Fudosan’s second LaLaport shopping mall overseas after Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao.
In addition to the shopping mall, Mitsui Fudosan works closely with BBCCD to establish the BBCC project as a large-scale urban development with diverse functions, comprising a shopping mall, residences, serviced apartments, office buildings and hotels, with a total site area of approximately 78,500sqm. Upon its completion, the BBCC project is set to become the one and only landmark that proposes a new Japanese-based lifestyle, enabling the local community to “live, work, play and gather” in a more convenient way.
LaLaport BBCC will be leading the development of the entire project as the central hub that promotes people-to-people exchanges, improves livelihoods and offers relaxation to the public. As a lifestyle- focused shopping mall originating from Japan, LaLaport BBCC aims to boost consumer confidence with its design that creates a new customer experience and incorporates Malaysia’s culture and trends while retaining a distinctive Japanese DNA.
Through its experience with the vast Japanese commercial network and long-standing track recor, LaLaport BBCC will be bringing well-known brands in Japan such as NITORI, Nojima and JONETZ by DON DON DONKI. In addition, Star Child, a nursery
school that incorporates Japanese-style childcare and intellectual education, will open its first facility in Malaysia here at Lalaport BBCC.
The environment of this new shopping mall is aesthetically designed based on “Modern Simplicity” and “Japanese Flavour” design concepts. It features an interior design rooted in nature to provide a place where the public can do more than just shopping. LaLaport BBCC’s seamless indoor-outdoor design flow offers a place where shoppers and visitors to the mall can interact and spend an enriching time with friends and family.
PKNS spurs market in 2022 with 12 new projects worth RM690 million in GDV
The Selangor State Development Corporation or Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) – the development arm of Selangor – plans to roll out 12 new projects in 2022 worth RM690 million in GDV. The announcement was made at the Corporation’s 2022 outlook briefing held on 26 January 2022.
For the financial year ended 31 December 2021, PKNS recorded approximately RM900 million from the sale of residential, commercial property and land against the backdrop of the pandemic and challenging market conditions. PKNS’ portfolio comprises a mix of affordable, mid-range to high-end residential developments, priced from RM400,000 to RM1 million catering to the needs of diverse homebuyers in the state.
In the past year, the Corporation has delivered over 4,000 affordable homes under its Rumah Selangorku range. Despite the challenging market conditions, PKNS also witnessed a growing demand in its mid-range homes evident with the encouraging take up rates for its Rafflesia (Bernama Jaya), Puteri Daffina X (Kota Puteri), Antara Gapi; Selangor Cyber Valley, and Residensi Aurora projects.
With a landbank size of 5,972.04 acres, as at 21 January 2022, PKNS says it sees opportunity for growth with the right mix of developments to match emerging market demands. The composition of PKNS’ landbank represents 44% commercial, 13% residential, and 43% mix developments with the largest parcels strategically around economic gateways in Klang, Bernama Jaya and Hulu Langat.
PKNS has set an ambitious target to achieve approximately RM584 million in sales for the year 2022. Leveraging on the strength of its property portfolio comprising over 160,000 homes built across 64,500 acres and industrial developments spanning 11,885 acres, PKNS expresses optimism in achieving its targets and unlocking greater value for the state, the community and its stakeholders.
Entrepreneurs in the state are among the key stakeholders included in PKNS’ development focus. The Corporation seeks to elevate the reach of existing entrepreneurship enrichment programmes namely, the Graduate Realizing Opportunities Way Forward (GROW) Programme, also known as Program Usahawan Siswazah PKNS targeting potential graduate entrepreneurs and the Program Tunas Niaga Negeri Selangor (PROTUNe) targeting high school students, mooted by the Economic Affairs Ministry and carried out by PKNS in collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department. Its goal is to cultivate entrepreneurship and produce resilient, competitive and viable entrepreneurs in the state.
PKNS CEO Dato’ Mahmud Abbas highlighted that the corporation’s commitment to enhance existing townships and developments. “In addition to new developments, PKNS is also passionate about rejuvenating existing developments by introducing new concepts, repurposing spaces, injecting contemporary designs, and conserving natural gems. We believe by doing so, our developments will continue to excite the community, be it home buyers or entrepreneurs, and uphold the state as an attractive hub for investors.”
Rumah-i introduces end-to-end property rental solution to make renting out properties easier
Rumah-i has introduced an end-to-end property rental tool bringing new levels of simplicity, convenience and security for both property investors and tenants. The multifaceted app acts as a one-stop solution with the ability to list a property for rent, interact with interested parties and sign paperwork amongst a growing list of services.
“In the past, we have seen that the property market has been dominated by certain segments, we want to change this and make the market more open to all. By providing a free platform for property listings, Rumah-i decentralises the property rental market by breaking down conventional market barriers through accessible tools that simplify the whole property rental cycle,” explained Bryan Tan, CEO and Founder of Rumah-i.
Rumah-i streamlines the process and guides investors through every step of a successful renting endeavour as engages with property investors to identify target tenant demographics, and from there, Rumah-i’s experts devise a costing, marketing, listing and even makeover strategies that is tailored to the target audience.
Rumah-i essentially functions across four key pillars: home matching, rental tools, ancillary services as well as loyalty and benefits. Rumah-i’s home matching functionalities combine a viewing manager, agent star rating mechanism, credibility ranking systems and smart recommendations to streamline tenant search and property viewings.
Through Rumah-i’s rental tools, finding the right tenant is easier than ever with renters’ profiles complete with credit scores to help landlords assess default risk. Once the match has been made, Rumah-i offers Malaysia’s first digital tenancy feature that complies with the Digital Signature Act 1997. This allows both parties to safely, securely and conveniently confirm legal matters of the tenancy. Importantly, this feature also meets Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards creating a more eco-friendly environment by digitalising more aspects of the tenancy process.
Rumah-i is a rental listing app specialising in room rentals.
From there, landlords and tenants can expect easier communications and dealings through Rumah-i with the auto rental collection system, damage reporting mechanisms equipped with an inhouse repair team to address damages as well as an up to date tenancy overview. Rumah-i also features an in-app chat functionality that offers a neutral space for landlords to communicate with their tenants without sacrificing their privacy.
Rumah-i is also working towards building an i-Community for tenants and property investors to nurture increased community engagement where renters are able to enjoy a better quality of life. It will facilitate a Green, Sustainable and Trusted lifestyle through the development of the i-Community feature. The in-app services are designed to provide renters with the confidence that the property that they are living in is cared for and properly
Bryan Tan, CEO and Founder of Rumah-i.
maintained. The app also features rent payment tools and a reward system that allow renters to receive benefits and discounts.
