THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE Iskandar Malaysia poised to be the region’s new education hub __________________
INSIDE ISKANDAR MALAYSIA Friends share their thoughts on living, working and playing in Iskandar Malaysia __________________
E&O PULSE News, updates and happenings
JANUARY - MARCH 2015 A newsletter of E&O Property (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Copyright 2015 Eastern & Oriental Berhad All rights reserved. Address: 1 Raffles Link #01-01 North Tower, Singapore 039393 T: +65 6337 1680 | E: eospore@easternandoriental.com | www.easternandoriental.com
| SPOTLIGHT
THE
QUEST FOR
KNOWLEDGE In a global research study conducted by HSBC in 2014,
Just a stone’s throw away from Singapore, a transformation is taking place to provide high-quality education in the region.
more than half (58%) of the over 4,500 parents surveyed believe that paying for a child’s education is the best investment. And nearly three quarters (74%) of the parents surveyed would consider sending their children abroad for a better university education, with USA, the UK and Germany ranked as the top three countries offering the highest quality of education. Many agree that the benefits of having an overseas education from an early age could include developing soft skills, instilling self-reliance and independence, establishing confidence and self-discipline as well as acquiring foreign language skills in an international setting.
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SPOTLIGHT |
With strong government support and good infrastructure, Iskandar Malaysia is poised to be the new education hub in Malaysia.
However, pursuing an overseas education in
“These decisions weigh heavily on parents, and
popular, top-ranked countries often comes with
many regret not starting their planning sooner.”
a premium price tag, due in part to the higher cost of living. In fact, Australia, Singapore, USA and the UK are reported to be the most expensive
destinations
in
the
world
for
international students.
schools,
colleges
Meanwhile, just a stone’s throw away from Singapore, a transformation is taking place to provide high-quality education in the region.
“There are choices to be made — among different
A new city of learning opportunities
or
universities,
whether or not to study abroad — and there are often financial implications to these choices,” observes Mr. Simon Williams, Group Head of Wealth Management, HSBC, in the published survey report, The Value of Education.
Malaysia, which is striving to become the region's premier centre for higher education, aims to draw 200,000 international students to its shores by 2020. With strong government support and good infrastructure, Iskandar Malaysia is poised to be the new education hub in Malaysia. 3
| SPOTLIGHT
Efforts are now in full gear to establish EduCity — a
“I firmly believe that every young person should
reputable educational hub in Nusajaya, Iskandar
have some long term experience of living away
Malaysia, and
from home in a boarding community prior to
where prestigious brand
name
institutions have moved in to set up branch campuses.
tertiary education. The added maturity and selfconfidence gained from boarding can result in a
One prominent stakeholder is Marlborough
more comfortable and productive transition into
College, which counts Kate Middleton, the
university life,” he adds.
Duchess
of
Cambridge,
Marlborough
College
in
its
Malaysia
alumni. offers
Prestigious
institutions
that
have
set
up
independent boarding and day school education
international branch campuses in EduCity rank
for pupils from ages 4 to 18 and conducts the
amongst
International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.
undergraduate degree programmes that are
the
world’s
best,
offering
similar to those at their main campuses but at “Besides promoting and achieving academic
significantly reduced costs.
excellence, our mission is to encourage children to explore, through compassion, companionship
Some institutions have also expanded their
and conversation; and from that exploration, to
programme
build confidence and communities for good,”
spectrum of specialised training within the
shares Mr. Robert Pick, Master of Marlborough
industry.
offerings
to
include
a
wider
College Malaysia.
Driving Education Forward These are some of the fine institutions and international schools that have set up branch campuses in EduCity, Iskandar Malaysia:
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Marlborough College Malaysia www.marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
Raffles University Iskandar www.raffles-university.edu.my
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia www.ncl.ac.uk/numed
University of Reading Malaysia www.reading.ac.uk/malaysia
Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology www.nmit.edu.my
University of Southampton www.southampton.ac.uk/my
Raffles American School www.raffles-american-school.edu.my
SPOTLIGHT |
A changing landscape, an irresistible
Spearheading its launch is Avira Garden Terraces
proposition
— a unique blend of landed homes and green spaces. Wide frontages invite the outdoors in
These world-class institutions at EduCity are located just minutes from the Tuas Second Link and bring the option of a privileged, international education experience closer to home in Singapore while riding on the attractive, lower cost of living that Malaysia offers. EduCity is also conveniently located within minutes
of
Avira,
a
wellness-themed,
masterplanned development by the subsidiaries of
E&O,
Khazanah
Nasional
and
Temasek
Holdings in a joint venture. Avira comprises 207 acres of expansive living space fringed by a natural mangrove forest. A Wellness Sanctuary lies at its very heart, offering activities and amenities that fulfill the promise of peaceful and pleasant living.
while private courtyards, back gardens and terraced decks spill over into communal linear gardens. Registration for Phase 2 of Avira Garden Terraces is now open. For details, please call the Avira Sales Gallery at +607 228 1188 or the E&O Gallery Singapore at +65 6337 1680. As more milestones are achieved, the landscape of Iskandar Malaysia is set to change. Parents who realise the importance of putting long-term plans in place for their children’s education journey will find this unique combination of nurturing independent thinking, instilling selfreliance and providing a global education while remaining in close proximity to home to be a value proposition that is hard to resist. ď Ž
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| LIVING
Neighbourhood Inside Iskandar Malaysia:
NUSAJAYA, ISKANDAR MALAYSIA Nusajaya is home to a growing community. It is where most of Iskandar's catalyst projects are based, and where E&O is developing Avira — a spacious oasis of calm curated with care, balance and harmony. For an inside scoop on living, working and playing in Iskandar Malaysia, E&O Passions speaks with friends from the Iskandar community.
PETER OSBORNE | BATH, UNITED KINGDOM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, UNIVERSITY OF READING MALAYSIA
What do
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia:
you like
“I first visited Johor Bahru over
about living in Iskandar
30 years ago and the city has
Malaysia: “The people I work
changed out of all recognition.
with are helpful and
I’m delighted that it is trying to
unfailing gracious. And, of
retain some of its old heritage
course, the weather! It’s
sites. I see Iskandar Malaysia
lovely to be always warm.”
being a large cosmopolitan
Favourite local food: “It has to be Nasi Lemak. It is my breakfast of choice on
urban, commercial and industrial area. It will attract the best from all over Malaysia as well as others from all
Saturdays and Sundays.”
corners of the world.”
MYRNA DAMAYANTI MIRAJ | JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA VICE PRESIDENT, ECONOMICS & INVESTMENT, ISKANDAR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
About living in Iskandar Malaysia: “This is a nice place to raise a family, the pace is not too fast and not too slow, and you have the best of both worlds with Singapore only half an hour away.” Favourite place to chill out: “SkyBar at the rooftop pool deck of Traders Hotel at Puteri Harbour — it’s a cool place to hang out with friends and family.”
SITI NURAZIAH | JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA SENIOR MANAGER, BRAND MANAGEMENT, PELABUHAN TANJUNG PELEPAS
About living in
Favourite local food: “Nasi Briyani
Iskandar
Gam and Laksa Johor.”
Malaysia: “It’s an exciting place to work and live. Lifestyle here is getting better and connectivity is a bonus as there are expressways connecting Johor and Singapore easily.” 62
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia: “It has changed drastically. Johor is now popular and sought after by businesses too. The future is positive and great for Iskandar Malaysia.”
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia: “The landscape of Johor Bahru has changed. We have better infrastructure, exciting tourist attractions, EduCity and great hospitals. The sheer number of projects taking off into the near future is spectacular. All the right policies, plans, players and investments converge in Iskandar Malaysia and I am proud to be a part of this grand plan.”
LIVING |
Buzz
RAHANI YAACOB | KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GENERAL MANAGER, COLUMBIA ASIA HOSPITAL
About living in Iskandar
Johor has
Malaysia: “I like its multi-
been very aggressive,
racial society and, most
transforming from a small
importantly, friendly people.”
town into a city almost
Favourite local food: “Nasi Lemak and Laksa Johor
CHRISTOPHER KON | IPOH, MALAYSIA
prepared the Johor way.”
MARKETING MANAGER, COLUMBIA ASIA HOSPITAL
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia: “Development in
equivalent to Singapore. I think the future for Iskandar Malaysia is positive, as evident by the remarkable progress seen over the last few years.”
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia: “I never imagined that there would be Marlborough College, Newcastle University, LegoLand etc. These are an amazing reality.” Favourite local food: “Malay Nasi Lemak, Hainanese toasted bread and eggs from Restoran Hwa Mui Sutera Utama.” Favourite place to chill out: “Sutera Mall — my daughter loves the kids’ activities and indoor playground.”
MATTHEW TENNANT | LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM WEBSITE & DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE MALAYSIA
Favourite local food: “Roti Canai,
learn about
Roti Telur, Char Kuey Teow,
cultural
Penang Laksa — so delicious!”
idiosyncrasies. I love the
Favourite place to chill out: “A surf spot just north of Desaru — the locals are friendly, the water is warm and a wave is a wave.” About living in Iskandar Malaysia: “It’s fascinating to live in a new country and
climate here and really enjoy the accessibility to the rest of Asia. We travel as much as we can both in Malaysia and overseas in the school holidays. Living on campus means I’m spoilt for fantastic sporting facilities. It’s a good lifestyle.”
DERRICK CHAN | SINGAPORE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, REGENCY SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
About living in Iskandar
Favourite local food: “Assam Laksa — there
Malaysia: “It’s exciting to be
are small trucks going around selling this as
part of all that’s happening
well as Chendol. I always look out for them.”
here. The people are helpful and I’ve made many friends. I like the space, stress-free environment and food here.”
Thoughts on Iskandar Malaysia: “It looks very different with developments everywhere. It has the potential to be a major hub in Southeast Asia.” 7
| E&O PULSE
E&O recognised as Malaysia’s Top 10 Property Developers Premier lifestyle property developer E&O Berhad was recently recognised as Malaysia’s Top 10 Property Developers in The Edge Malaysia’s annual Property Excellence Awards 2014, underlining its position as one of the country’s premier lifestyle property developers. The award affirms E&O’s position as a leader in building premium aspirational homes and acknowledges the Group’s efforts in building the E&O brand and its brand promise to its discerning clientele. The Edge Malaysia’s Top Property Developers Awards ranks Malaysia’s best property players based on both their quantitative and qualitative attributes from the consumer’s perspective. Ranked 8th in the Property Excellence Awards 2014, E&O was an award recipient three years in a row from 2007 to 2009. Since 2012, E&O has maintained its position as a member of the esteemed The Edge Billion Ringgit Club which recognises Malaysia’s biggest and best performing companies.
E&O registers RM236.49 million revenue in H1 FY2015 E&O reported a profit after tax of RM42.75 million on the back of a RM236.49 million revenue for the first half of the financial year ended 30 September 2014, attributed mainly to the steady progress of the Quayside Seafront Resort Condominiums in Penang and the successful launch of the first phase of Avira Garden Terraces in Iskandar Malaysia. “At E&O, we look beyond short-term assessments that can be restrictive in accurately reflecting the property development industry, choosing to adopt a longer term strategy to achieve sustained growth and create sustainable value for all our stakeholders,” says Mr. Eric Chan Kok Leong, E&O Deputy Managing Director. The completed 4.5-acre waterpark of the Quayside Seafront Resort Condominiums in Seri Tanjung Pinang, Penang
Approval has been given to E&O to issue up to RM500 million in nominal value of private debt securities, enabling it to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations and ensure a stronger balance sheet while embarking on upcoming property development activities.
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E&O PULSE |
E&O boosts international growth engine with latest London acquisition E&O is strengthening its international growth engine with the addition of ESCA House, a 1919-built prime freehold property in Bayswater London, via its proposed purchase of a 100% equity interest in Loxley Holdings Management Limited. Loxley had earlier contracted to purchase the landmark building for £27,650,000 (RM147,374,500). “The location of this early 20th century building cannot be over-emphasised and the property has excellent potential for redevelopment whilst respecting ESCA’s existing façade and redbrick structure,” says E&O Managing Director Dato’ Terry Tham Ka Hon. Situated in London’s Zone One area of Bayswater along Palace Court, a road so named for its walking-distance proximity to the royal enclave of Kensington Palace Gardens, it also borders the northern perimeter of Hyde Park. As such, ESCA House is tucked along a quiet street within Bayswater, characterised by charming streets and garden squares lined with Victorian stucco terraces where properties range from exclusive apartments to imposing mansions. “Subject to planning permission, our intention is to redevelop the building into a 6-level residential development comprising approximately 28 private residential units with a net internal area of about 36,000 square feet and underground car parks,” Dato’ Tham said.
Artist impression of ESCA House in Central London 9
YL N O E L P M th i w - SA d e c a l p e r To be ull-page ad ge le lf l a o u C t c h a g u o r o rlb a M from
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