Artist’s impression of the Penang Medical and Digital Technology Hub in Batu Kawan

Penang is set to become the MedTech Hub of Asia due to the rise of its medical device exports.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang’s exports in medical devices make up about 65% on average of Malaysia’s total in the MedTech industry between 2017 and 2021.

“The state’s exports in professional, scientific, controlling equipment, apparatus have risen as well, according to InvestPenang.

“The upcoming Medi-City plan in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, showcases Penang’s unwavering dedication to pioneer advancements in the healthcare sector,” said Chow in his speech during the annual Penang Pharmacists Convention 2023 in Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.

The Penang Pharmacists Convention 2023 is a pilot programme, jointly organised by the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society Penang Area Committee (MPS), the Young Pharmacists’ Chapter Penang Area Committee (YPC) and the Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild Northern Branch (MCPG).

​As the largest pharmacists’ convention in northern Malaysia, the theme of this year’s convention is ‘Advancements in Pharmacy Practice’.

Chow said he was proud to officiate the convention whereby the participants could use the platform to exchange ideas on the future of pharmacy.

“We commemorate World Pharmacist Day, an occasion that resonates with pharmacists across the globe. It serves as a reminder of the vital roles the pharmacists play in our healthcare systems,” he added.

Chow was also proud of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) commitment to pharmaceutical research and education.

Malaysian Pharmacist Society deputy president Dr Nour Hanah Othman encouraged pharmacists to actively engage in shaping the future of pharmacy practice.

“The event marked a significant step towards a brighter and advanced future for the pharmacy profession,” she said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Housing developers cannot force buyers to take up renovation packages, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Chow was responding to a reporter’s question regarding certain developers allegedly hiking up the price of low-cost housing in the state through backdoor practices.

He emphasised that additional packages should remain optional and must not be a prerequisite for buyers of affordable homes.

When the government establishes the price for affordable housing units, he said that price is binding on the developers.

Acknowledging that low-cost housing units are heavily subsidised and priced way below construction costs, Chow noted that some developers took it upon themselves to provide renovations.

“Sometimes if the cost of a car park is included, it will exceed the selling price of RM72,000. It may go over RM100,000 when renovation packages are factored in.

“But it should be optional and not a condition for the developer to accept or not to accept that successful applicant from signing a purchase agreement.

“The actual cost for an LMC (low medium-cost) unit is already more than RM150,000. It is heavily subsidised.

“Any additional package, like renovation work to enhance the bathroom, kitchen or furniture, should be the subject of a separate agreement between the buyer and the developer.

“From time to time, we receive complaints, but it should be mutual agreement between a willing buyer and seller. Buyers can choose to add on any item, or undertake their own renovation,” Chow stressed.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Have a blissful Mid-Autumn celebration with Savana!

Laughter, exciting activities, light refreshments are what you can expect dropping by Savana, Utropolis Batu Kawan this 30 September, Saturday – all while learning more about this project that might be the perfect home for you and your loved ones.

RSVP now via the link below:
https://forms.gle/JRu1mmPC9sVSxx3i6

For enquiries, contact 012-501 0733

Venue: Paramount Property Gallery @ Utropolis Batu Kawan
Date: 30 September 2023, Saturday
Time: 10am to 5pm

A recently proposed commercial development in George Town by Jiran Bina Sdn. Bhd. Situated along Jalan Clove Hall, this location finds itself in close proximity to Skymind Tower and diagonally faces Boustead Tower. Additionally, it boasts a convenient location just a short distance from the renowned Gurney Drive and is less than 3 kilometers away from Komtar.

This forthcoming project is set to bring to life a 23-story office tower, accompanied by a five-level car parking podium.

At present, the project remains in the planning stage, and it remains uncertain whether it will be made available for sale in the future.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location: George Town
Property Type: Office tower
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Unit: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer: Jiran Bina Sdn. Bhd.

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

Penang has unveiled a new committee, called HOPE (Housing Outcome Performance Committee) under the state Housing Board, to streamline the process of offering affordable housing units.

Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, the state executive councillor in charge of Housing and Environment, announced that HOPE was established to ensure the execution of housing policies at the State level are aligned with the Madani initiatives, the Penang2030 vision and the Penang unity government manifesto.

He also revealed that the state has so far recorded over 40,000 applications on the waiting list since 2008.

The same platform also approved 915 names for affordable housing which was done online from the Housing Information System (Sistem Maklumat Perumahan).

“Following a HOPE meeting held on September 14th, the selection and offering process for affordable houses (Rumah Mampu Milik – RMM) will now be conducted online,” Sundarajoo said.

“As of August 31st this year, the housing information system has received 43,260 applications. However, only 7,686 of these applications have been updated,” Sundarjoo told a press conference in Komtar today.

Affordable housing is categorised into three groups, both on the Island and mainland, as follows:

• RMM A – 650sqft priced at RM42,000, eligible for monthly income earners of RM2,500 and below.
• RMM B – 700/750sq ft priced at RM72,500/100,000 respectively, eligible for monthly income earners not exceeding RM3,500/5,000 respectively.
• RMM C – 750/800/850sq ft priced at RM150,000/200,000/300,000 respectively, eligible for monthly income earners not exceeding RM8,000/10,000/12,000 respectively.

Out of the 915 offer letters issued, 404 were designated for RMM A, 81 for RMM B, and 430 for RMM C. The selection process involved applicants from all five districts in Penang.

The Penang Housing Board plans to launch a campaign encouraging applicants to update their data online in the system, particularly their marital status and monthly income every three years. This will help the government remove individuals who are no longer eligible for affordable homes.

Sundarajoo also announced the introduction of a new rent-to-own scheme for singles and young families at the upcoming People’s Housing Project (PPR) at Kota Giam in Jelutong.

To meet the current demand, the state government has proposed the construction of a 45-storey apartment with a 500sq ft studio units and a 44-storey apartment with 700sq ft units for young married couples.

The project, which will take place at the two-acre site in Jelutong, has been allocated RM100 million by the Development and Local Government Ministry.

Sundarajoo said Penang would also introduce a new affordable housing category for the B40s or those earning no less than RM3,500 but not exceeding RM5,000 per month.

Under the scheme known as RMM B2, they will be eligible to apply for a 750sq ft unit priced at between RM100,000 and RM150,000.

Under the former exco for housing Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang has set a target of achieving 220,000 affordable homes by 2030.

To date, there are 152,263 affordable housing units that have either been built, are under construction or are planned for the future.

Also present at the press conference were Penang Housing Board general manager ’Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi, chief business officer Fakhrurrazi Ibnu Omar, chief operation officer Mohd Fauzy Mohd Yusoff and chief legal and enforcement officer Nadzifah Abd Rahim.

Source: Buletin Mutiara