Property Digest 360

Issue #8 - 2021

TALKING POINTS Buying a Second Hand property?

Page 47

SPOTLIGHT

FEATURE Digital Strategy for Business Resiliency and Growth in the New Normal Page 22

FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge Asia-Pacific Page 41

Looking beyond sustainability Page 36

ASIA Young Designer Awards 2020 Winners Page 43

COLUMNIST

REVIEWS

Dr Carmelo Ferlito Page 27

Cadena @ Ara Sendayan Page 16 Luxury Surf Villas Page 25 Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Page 29

COVER STORY

LEANING TOWARDS A MORE HYGIENIC MALAYSIA

with NITESH MALANI

Season 3 Coming soon!

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THE TEAM Editor In Chief Gunaprasath Bupalan

Editorial Director Rachael Raymond

Special Projects Director Ikhram Merican

Government Liaison & Business Development Nordin Abdullah

Editorial Desk Sarah Rae

John Tyler Joey Seth

Art & Design Emjay Designs

Photography

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EDITOR’S NOTE

And here it is – the highly anticipated 8th edition of Property360Digest e-magazine. It took us a while with this issue due to the ups and downs of the second Movement Control Order and the various changing SOPs that were in place. Nevertheless, we have braved through all the red tape and brought you an exciting issue filled with juicy content that will keep you reading for hours.

As we have finally moved away from an MCO state to a Controlled Movement Order, many have gone back to their regular lives (to a certain extent). However, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the fight against this dreadful disease is far from over. As a blessing, the vaccine has come into play, and hopefully the number of new cases drop significantly in due time.

Having said that, I pray that everyone abides by the given SOPs and still practice safe distancing and proper hygiene in this battle against Covid-19 – think of your family and loved ones.

In this issue of Property360Digest e-magazine, we take you on a trip to Sendayan as we review an exclusive development there called Cadena @ Ara Sendayan, then to Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas to enjoy the scenic beauty of the ocean and end up at the Luxury Surf Villas at Lombok, Indonesia. This is a journey you wouldn’t want to miss.

Further in this issue we have selected features where we discuss various issue including the digital strategy for business resiliency and growth in the New Normal as well as a discussion that goes beyond sustainability. Do also check out our spotlights that highlight our very talented young Malaysians.

We also owe a great thanks to Dr Carmelo Ferlito for his contribution discussing the efficacy of monetary policy in relaunching investment activity. Then in my Talking Points for this issue, I have sound advice for those who are looking to purchase from the secondary market.

Saving the best for last, I would like to highlight that on our cover of this issue is Mr. Nitesh Malani from Environ Group Asia. We had the privilege of an exclusive interview with him to better understand his role in making Malaysia more hygienic, as well as his take on the property market as well as the nation as a whole.

GUNAPRASATH BUPALAN gp@emjaycommunications.com

I do believe that this may be one of the better issues we have put together and a big shout out to the team at Emjay Communications for making this issue possible. Having said that, we do hope that you enjoy the read.

Take care and stay safe, till we meet again in the next issue.

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CONTENTS

16

The Scenic Island that could be South East Asia’s next Property Gold Rush

There’s more than meets the eye Cadena @ Ara Sendayan brings luxury in value investment

43 8 Leaning towards a more hygienic Malaysia

Exclusive with Nitesh Malani

Winners

GP’s Talking Points Pg 47 Dr Carmelo Ferlito Pg 27 Looking beyond sustainability Pg 36 Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Pg 29

Season 3 Coming soon!

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COVER STORY

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

LEANING TOWARDS A MORE HYGIENIC MALAYSIA : an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with

Hygiene Solutionist Nitesh Malani

Enviro Group Asia is an Integrated Indoor Environmental Engineering Solutions provider. It started out as a small company 16 years ago and today it has expanded to a group with 3 companies that cover a full spectrum of indoor hygiene & engineering solutions ranging from MVAC duct cleaning and maintenance turnkey contracts, mold remediation programs, indoor air quality monitoring and consultancy, surface hygiene and solutions, 360-degree disinfection services to carpet cleaning and remediation contracts. All made available for a holistic indoor environmental care.

We at Property360Digest are honored to have had a one-on-one session with Nitesh Malani, Group Chief Executive of ENVIRO Group Asia regarding the company’s take, involvement and potential involvement in the property sector.

08

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

When did the idea come about?

And how?

I came across an indoor air quality technology 18 years ago and started to realise the importance of clean air, especially in an indoor environment. Back then, no one else in Malaysia or even Asia was interested in this topic, but I strongly believed it will be in the future.

Fast forward to today, I am proud to say that Enviro Group Asia has successfully converted many nonbelievers to strong supporters through years of education and has proven the importance in keeping a clean and safe indoor environment.

Who is your main clientele?

We have been servicing the major government accounts, large corporates and MNC for more than 16 years. Some of our clients are Pfizer, Bank of China, Bank Negara Malaysia, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Arts Malaysia, HUAWEI, SHELL, EPF, Boustead Bhd and many others.

How has Enviro benefitted homebuyers and residents?

We have products that are suitable and useful for the consumer market, such as the popular Enviro Cordless Sprayer, Enviro Clean hand sanitiser, Enviro Clean surface sanitiser, and the HEALTHWAY Air Purification System. These are important solutions for individuals and home use.

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We have been servicing the major government accounts, large corporates and MNC for more than 16 years.

How has Enviro benefited the property / building sector?

Enviro Group has been supporting many building management companies across Malaysia and the region in the area of consultation and actual sanitisation works, maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the property and building for occupants. We offer a 360-degree solution for a peace of mind. True to our business motto: Protecting People, Securing Assets.

Since the pandemic, how has this affected your business positively?

Fortunately for us, the pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of indoor air quality and overall hygiene care. Our business has since seen a 200% increase in overall enquiries and engagement. However, there is still a lack of understanding on the differences between sanitisation and disinfection. We are actively sharing the right information and knowledge with our clients and the public with hope that Malaysians will be able to make the right choice when it comes to their indoor hygiene solutions and service providers.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Since the pandemic, how has this affected your business negatively?

Are there plans for new inventories to be included in your shortterm future plans?

I don’t see any negative effect on Enviro Group Asia, but in general, we have noticed many false claims in the market that send out wrong information to the public. We think it is irresponsible to make such claims as it is the public’s health that we are talking about.

Yes for sure. We are constantly exploring new opportunities and our R&D team is currently looking into such possibilities. In Malaysia, through partnership with agencies such as MIGHT, MAGIC, MDEC and many others, we see a greater platform for companies based here to reach a greater market place in Asia.

How has the recent pandemic influenced your approach towards growth and changes in offered products and services?

We have stepped up our digital media presence and have received positive feedback. In terms of products and services, we continue to explore advanced technology solutions. One of the examples is our surface Covid-19 test for our clients – we are the first in Malaysia to launch this technology.

We are in talks with companies from USA, France, Japan and the UK for strategic collaborations for Asian markets. ENVIRO Group has also progressed with collaborations with Malaysian companies such as BP Healthcare Group and many others as we move towards offering our expertise to a broader customer base.

We have products that are suitable and useful for the consumer market, such as the popular Enviro Cordless Sprayer, Enviro Clean hand sanitiser, Enviro Clean surface sanitiser, and the HEALTHWAY Air Purification System. These are important solutions for individuals and home use.

What are your personal thoughts on the current property market from a homebuyer’s perspective?

Extremely positive with developers being more innovative and home buyers having more choices in their selections.

What are your personal thoughts on the current property market from a service provider / developer’s perspective?

We surely are ready to offer our expertise to developers and the property market, as they get ready to start operations post pandemic.

How has Enviro benefitted homebuyers and residents?

We are surely performing much better than most other countries in the region. This is new and many in Government are learning as the days go by. As citizens, we need to support the government in curbing this pandemic.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #9 - 2021

What else can the government do to help?

Special incentives and stimulus packages for business recovery is a must.

What is your advice to people in these dramatic and troubled times?

Stay positive and practice good hygiene. Mindset is extremely important for individuals and innovation is a must for businesses to manage in this troubled time, more so during post pandemic recovery.

We are constantly exploring new opportunities and our R&D team is currently looking into such possibilities.

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REVIEW

There’s more than meets the eye Cadena @ Ara Sendayan brings luxury in value investment

When we think about property investment, especially buying a house, many immediately think about purchasing a property that is closer to Kuala Lumpur City Centre. This is mainly because of countless advice offered by many ‘property gurus’ who are basically playing it safe. As much as purchasing a property closer to the city centre isn’t a wrong move, people tend to neglect the fact that profit margins may be higher outside the Klang Valley.

With the presence of Kuala Lumpur International Airport as a nucleus, developments that are in proximity to this international gateway are definitely expected to see higher returns of investment in the upcoming future.

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By Gunaprasath Bupalan One example is Ara Sendayan that is located adjacent to Bandar Sri Sendayan.

This 194-acre freehold development is the brainchild of multiple award-winning developer Matrix Concepts, an established developer that has carved its name as a trusted builder of luxury homes and commercial properties.

Adding its touch to the luxury landscape, Ara Sendayan is built amongst a matured township and on higher ground in a secured enclave that has been fully assessed for positive Feng Shui by a reputed Geomancy Practitioner. This adds to its appeal as a bespoke address for the affluent.

Matrix Concepts offers you a piece of this goldmine with its ready to move-in precinct called Cadena Terraces @ Ara Sendayan. – a project that comes in modern contemporary designs.

REVIEW

The Lake Park envelops the residential blocks

Unlike the typical 22’ x 70’ terraces you would find in most townships, these houses will be built as 22’ x 75’s with typical spacious built ups ranging from 2,584sq ft to 3,048sq ft, making ample space for four bedrooms, four bathrooms with wet and dry kitchens. Buyers need not worry about cabling as all units at Cadena comes with seven air-conditioning points, four heater points, seven ceiling fan points and underground TNB cabling. Furthermore, clay bricks have been used as its base, hence this will give a cooling effect to its residents.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #7 - 2020 Since the precinct is within the Ara Sendayan township, residents will be able to enjoy the ample greenery at the Lake Park that envelops the residential blocks. These green pockets will house The Belvedere, The Fun Ground, Garden Pods, The Workout Spots, The Stand, The Trail (Walkway), The Treehouse, Butterfly Sculpture, Hammock & Swings and The Podium (Viewing Deck).

Strategically located close to KLIA , and approximately 70km from KLCC, your commute from Ara Sendayan to the city centre wouldn’t be much trouble. Ara Sendayan is easily accessible via the North-South Expressway (PLUS), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, KLIA Linkage and the upcoming Senawang-KLIA Expressway.

Built in a secured enclave that has been fully assessed for positive Feng Shui Residents will also be given membership to the d’Tempat Country Club that houses an array of recreational facilities that include a reading room for you to catch up with some alone time, a 10-lane bowling alley, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a wading pool with slides, a pool deck to house dining and a herb garden for the naturist in you. For fitness enthusiasts, the fully-equipped gymnasium comes with state-ofthe art equipment, free weights as well as yoga and aerobic rooms. After your workout, you could delve into the world of heat in the his and hers saunas and steam rooms. The badminton, squash and tennis courts also provide much convenience as they are built indoors, hence you do not have to worry about the weather to break that sweat.

For those who prefer a less intense evening, the 30-seater cosy cineplex would be the best place to indulge in a good movie with family or friends.

Furthermore, within the catchment of the development are various conveniences such as the Sendayan Merchant Square, Petrol Stations, Matrix Global Schools, S2 Aeon Mall, S2 Mydin Hypermarket and much more.

“Residents will be able to enjoy the ample greenery at the Lake Park that envelops the residential blocks”

Selling from only RM698,888.00 with an instalment subsidy for up to 18 months , this is truly an investment treasure-trove. Less you forget, Malaysian Vision Valley (MVV) is set to be an integrated development, to be built under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP).

“Residents will also be given membership to the d’Tempat Country Club that houses an array of recreational facilities” Spanning across a proposed area of 108,000 hectares, MVV will be located in western Negeri Sembilan - covering Seremban, Nilai and Port Dickson. Poised to transform Seremban into an investor-friendly central business district, MVV is expected to generate massive investment and development in the next 30 years.

As for those who are looking for a place to live, what better way to live but within such luxury and upcoming mega future development?

Contact MATRIX CONCEPTS http://bit.ly/CadenaxProperty360

NOW

at

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Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

FEATURE Cyberview Leads Conversation on Digital Strategy for Business Resiliency and Growth in the New Normal

By John Tyler Cyberview Sdn Bhd (Cyberview), the Tech Hub Developer of Cyberjaya began its Tech Talk Webinar series for 2021 on digitalisation strategies in a panel discussion themed, ‘Surviving a Pandemic: What It Means to Digitally Transform Your Business’.

In the new normal, digitalisation is no longer an option for businesses, it is now fast becoming a necessity. More than ever, technology plays a big role in how people go about their daily lives and the way businesses operate. Like any other shift in paradigm, businesses face challenges when adopting new technology and require digital strategies to meet shifting market demands.

Cyberview’s webinar aimed to cast a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities faced by the smart mobility and property industries during the pandemic, as well as dive deeper into how digitalisation can propel the economy forward. The panellists were Muhundhan Kamarapullai, Director of Business Digital Adoption, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); as well as graduates of the Cyberview Living Lab Accelerator (CLLA) Programme – Nik Muhammad Amin, Chief Executive Office of Moovby and Stephen Lim, Chief Strategy Officer of NEXPlatform.

Stephen elaborated on the power of a winning data strategy for businesses, “Data is now the new currency for the future of businesses, and it is crucial that companies learn how to utilise the data to enhance their commercial and digital transformation strategies. As you may be aware, the property industry is one of the largest asset classes, and yet is one of the least digitally transformed in this nation.

In the wake of the pandemic, digital solutions and customer data solutions can help property players in their customer outreach and informed decision making. In one of our pandemic case studies, NEXPlatform helped one of Malaysia’s fastest growing property developer to launch the nation’s first unit selection portal. Within the first 30 minutes of the launch, 80 percent of the property unit selection was done digitally. In the past eight months, NEXPlatform saw a 200 percent growth, consulting more than 10 clients on data strategy implementation, demonstrating the benefits of digitalisation and why it is essential for businesses to survive in accelerating post-pandemic future.”

According to Muhundhan, the digital economy’s contribution to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was already quite significant pre-pandemic, at 19.1 percent and is expected to increase to over 20 percent by year end.

He added, “Businesses need to embrace digitalisation. Brick and mortar companies especially, need to understand that technology is just an enabler. However, the conversation on digitalisation needs to be led at a business level. Leaders need to think big in their digital transformation efforts, but start the journey on a small scale, by first identifying and focusing on areas to improve, and finally grow fast. At the same time, keep an eye on competitors, assess their place within the digital journey map and start thinking of a ‘faster, cheaper and better’ strategy forward.”

Nik Muhammad Amin, CEO of Moovby

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Nik added, “Without a doubt, the pandemic has opened our eyes to the importance of embracing innovation and business diversification to adapt to a fastchanging environment.

In the new normal, businesses must embrace agility and challenge the status quo either by diversifying product offerings or exploring new market segments. Although Moovby was impacted by the pandemic, we adapted quickly to launch new services that was in demand like Disinfection4U. We also launched a new sub brand called Unimoov, where we partnered with UiTM to reach out to university students nationwide, encouraging them to share and rent cars from their surrounding communities. On this note, I believe that there are immense benefits of working closely within a collaborative ecosystem like Cyberjaya.

I’m confident that Cyberjaya is well-positioned to support a revolution in mobility as smart mobility is a key focus area in its new masterplan.”

Cyberjaya is a thriving living lab that serves as a springboard for new ideas and innovation for many businesses and innovation.

To evolve Cyberjaya into thriving innovation and digital ecosystem, last year, Cyberview unveiled the city’s new masterplan, focusing on three tech clusters: smart mobility, smart healthcare and digital creative. These tech clusters have been identified as Cyberjaya’s future pillars of growth for Malaysia's digital economy.

For the full recording of this webinar, visit Cyberview’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ID741 LqASo.

“In the new normal, businesses must embrace agility and challenge the status quo”

Muhundhan Kamarapullai, Director of Business Digital Adoption, MDEC

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Stephen Lim, CSO of NEXPlatform

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

NEWS Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

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Shah Alam, 9 March 2021 – It is still amidst pandemic, and the borders have not been open. However, this did not hinder Tourism Selangor, the Official Tourism Promotion Agency of Selangor to continue a major portion of its promotional activities, including the ones directed towards international travel markets.

dedicated to back-to-back Business-toBusiness (B2B) sessions with travel professionals and agencies, as well as the Media from Europe, including during International Green Week 2021 - a special B2B event during ITB Berlin Now 2021.

A slight recap; ITB Berlin 2020 had been cancelled at the very last-minute last year as a result of caution following a global pandemic which reached its peak around the time the Show was supposed to take place. However, delegates from Tourism Selangor still made their way to Berlin, Germany and turned the whole direction into a Sales Mission, which turned out to be a success.

SELANGOR

This year sees a change to the gameplan. ITB Berlin, a prominent annual Travel Trade Show for European market makes its debut virtually and branded itself as ITB Berlin Now on a dedicated online platform, accessible to participating Tourism Boards, Travel Agencies and travel professionals from all around the world; whom are still regarded as “delegates” on the virtual platform.

Kicking-off with a Press Conference on the 9th of March, Tourism Selangor’s participation in the 4-day Show is

TOURISM

GETS ON-BOARD ‘ITB BERLIN NOW 2021’ WHICH MADE ITS VIRTUAL DEBUT

By Rachael Raymond

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue # - 2021

With the theme “Rethink, Regenerate, Restart – Tourism for a Better Normal”, Tourism Selangor is right-up-the-alley by highlighting its “Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere Campaign” at the virtual Show.

The Campaign aims to promote Selangor’s new and existing tourism attractions, as well as highlight Selangor’s hidden gems which made the State a preferred travel destination by European tourists, especially in South-East Asia.

In catering to the current European travel trends and demands, Tourism Selangor focuses on several tourism segmentations during its presentations which include cruise, eco and sports tourism, as well as the State’s uniqueness in cultural and heritage values with product highlights - Mah Meri Cultural Village, Jungle School Gombak and Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk Tour Programme.

With annual participation in ITB Berlin, including being on-board its virtual pursuit, Tourism Selangor certainly aspires to expand and broaden its network and positioning in the European travel market, as well as materialising efforts to rebuild the tourism industry out of this on-going outbreak. When travel ban has been lifted, Selangor will be more than ready to welcome international tourists with enhanced facilities and service hospitality, on top of emphasis on safety and Covid19 precautionary measures, as set by the Malaysian National Security Council and the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

For more information on the latest and in-trend tourism attractions in Selangor, log on to www.selangor.travel, Tourism Selangor’s brand new and revamped website.

REVIEW

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

By Gunaprasath Bupalan

The Scenic Island that Could Be South East Asia’s Next Property Gold Rush Selo Group, an award-winning and fully integrated development company based in Singapore, drew on its extensive industry experience and insight from its board of directors to share why now is the best time to invest in real estate in Lombok, Indonesia.

The island’s pristine natural beauty, a robust government redevelopment campaign, and ongoing investment from local developers are preparing the region for a sharp spike in land value and visitor numbers.

The company also noted the rise of the luxury surf market, with more tourism projects developed to target the high-end consumers.

Selo offers multiple opportunities to own luxurious and affordable real estate in Lombok and plans to create an ecological park that will become a major attraction for the area.

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“Lombok has been an alternative to the populated beaches of Bali for decades, but its remote location and underdevelopment affected the appeal for mainstream tourism,” said Andrew Corkery, CEO of Selo.

“That is all set to change with a new focus on development, along with the recent surge of telecommuting and a rise in luxury surf tourism.

Lombok’s upcoming transformation will attract numerous investors and send property prices skyrocketing.”

Using a direct cost method, international surf tourism expenditure is valued at over $31 billion USD. A recent study showed that 91 percent of surfers from a variety of countries had taken an international surf trip in the past five years, and this demand was driven by a desire to find uncrowded, high-quality waves.

For more information on Selo Group and its projects, please visit www.selogroup.co.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021 “The island of Lombok is the fastest growing tourism market in Indonesia, resulting in a unique window of opportunity for buyers to invest in property on the island while it remains exclusive and at a good value. With its amazing surfing spots, natural beauty, lush jungles and beyond, it is an oasis for beach goers, surfers, and outdoor enthusiasts to escape to for sanctuary,” added Andrew.

In 2016, Indonesian president Joko Widodo announced a “10 New Balis” plan, which focused the government’s efforts on developing 10 popular Indonesian regions into tourist hubs to attract foreign investment, encourage international visitors, and reinvigorate the economy. Despite recent setbacks, including the 2018 Indonesian earthquakes and COVID-19, the government predicts the island will receive two million foreign tourists per year once the redevelopment has been completed.

Lombok’s redevelopment will have a strong impact on independent property investors as well as the region’s economy. According to several peer-reviewed studies, there is a strong positive correlation between increased tourism and higher housing prices, so owners will see a rise in land value regardless of whether they rent out their properties. This will create a cycle of investment, where private and government buyers will invest more into properties as developments become profitable, attracting more tourists, which will then increase the value of those investments and lead to more buyers and additional increases in land value.

Located to the east of Bali, Lombok’s scenic landscape is a major appeal to real estate investors. The majestic island is filled with natural beauty, from white sand beaches, volcanic treks, and lush jungles to breathtaking waterfalls.

Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and Selo has noticed an increase in surfing-focused vacations and a transition to a more high-end customer. There are many real estate opportunities for surfing enthusiasts in Lombok, including Selong Selo Resort & Residences, the group’s award-winning flagship resort and residences on the southern coast.

Local bodies and conservation groups are intent on preserving the island’s resources, so sustainability will be implemented to protect the local lifestyle and eco-tourism value.

Lombok’s scenic landscape is a major appeal to real estate investors In addition to its current portfolio of villas, Selo is in the process of constructing Luxury Surf Villas, an exclusive resort featuring 20 opulent villas that complement their stunning natural surroundings and has just introduced a new pre-crafted villas development process that allows investors to build their dream home anywhere in Indonesia. Selo is also building a large-scale ecological park behind Selong Selo Resort & Residences. The 100hectare site will feature walking tracks, picnic spots, refreshment huts, horse and mountain biking trails, dams and rivers, forests, and a nursery. The eco-park is expected to drive up regional land value and will promote regeneration and restoration of the environment and social resilience, all in harmony with commercial development on the island.

After consulting with numerous prominent tax consultants and lawyers, Selo Group found that Indonesia’s tax protocol has been the biggest driver in residential real estate investors moving away, so the company advises clients on tax matters with regards to worldwide income when constructing a villa on leased land and renting it out for commercial purposes. More information can be found here.

COLUMNIST

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #7 - 2020

CME-BAA Macroeconomic Observatory (MEO): Bank negara decision to keep the rates unchanged is welcome Dr Carmelo Ferlito

According to MEO, in the current scenario the efficacy of monetary policy in relaunching investment activity would be very limited. “The experience from other parts of the world, such as Europe and Japan – explained Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education – shows us that even decades of negative interest rate are not enough to stimulate the economy. Monetary policy is not the magic stick it is often believed to be”.

In a complex reality, economic outcomes are the result of multiple factors, and first and foremost it should be stressed the uncertain nature of such outcomes because of the key role played by signal interpretations from the economic agents.

“The key driver for sound growth is profit expectations” – added Fariq bin Sazuki, an economist at Bait Al Amanah – adding that “we should focus on creating the right environment to boost those expectations rather than simply focusing on monetary policy. If profit expectations do not rebound, then we will not have sustainable growth, no matter how low the interest rates are”.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

The CME-BAA Macroeconomic Observatory (MEO), a joint platform promoted by the Center for Market Education and Bait Al Amanah, welcomes Bank Negara’s decision to keep the reference rates unchanged.

Under this perspective, the MEO emphasizes that the gradual ease of the movement restrictions and the vaccine roll-out are playing an important role, but the sky still remains clouded by political instability and the lack of a general economic strategy which would also include the reopening of international borders.

MEO invites the government to do more in order to identify an economic strategy which is beyond the need of the day, focusing on a comprehensive plan to rebuild confidence in the country.

With regard to monetary policy, instead, MEO stresses the importance to remain on the prudent path and to recognize the role that an increased level of saving can play in soundly financing new investments.

Savings are the real and sound source of financing for long-term investment projects and extremely low interest rates would discourage the accumulation of saving, while pushing for artificial credit and the potential risk of a boom-and-bust cycle.

Furthermore, a monetary policy which is too aggressive would drive up inflationary tendencies, deteriorating purchasing power and further discouraging saving.

Dr. Carmelo Ferlito is the CEO of SME - The Center for Market Education (CME) is a boutique think-tank based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As an academic and educational institution, CME aims to promote a more pluralistic and multidisciplinary approach to economics and to spread the knowledge of a sounder economics, grounded in the understanding of market forces. In order to do so, CME is not only involved in academic initiatives, but it organizes seminars, webinars and tailor-made economics classes for students, journalists, businesspeople and professionals who wish to better understand the relevance of economics for their daily lives and activities. Economics matters and needs to be presented in a fashion in which the link with reality is clearly visible. In this sense, we look not only at theoretical economics but also at policy making, with an emphasis on the unintended consequences generated by political actions.

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Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, nestled in lush tropical gardens on golden Malaysian shores, is pleased to launch new offerings for travellers looking to escape the routine and residents looking to relax.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

REVIEW

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Launches New Offerings Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers a serene luxury seaside escape with low-rise buildings and stand-alone villas that overlook the gardens, lagoon, and ocean. Expansive residences offer families and groups utmost privacy with an infinity pool, full kitchen, and chef and butler service.

Whether looking for a change of scenery or taking a break from the daily routine, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas has created new offerings that will meet the need of its guests and residents.

Work from Paradise – At Anantara Desaru, working from home takes on a whole new meaning with supreme comfort, the sound of waves in the background, and inspirational sunsets over the ocean. Guests can set up base in a room or villa, each with a workspace and outdoor living, and find themselves at their most productive yet.

Offer includes: Accommodation in a room or villa for seven nights or more; daily breakfast for

two; complimentary daily refill of minibar; 20 percent savings on dining; and 20 percent savings at Anantara Spa. Rates start from MYR 4,782++. Guests must book before 30 May 2021 for stays until 30 June 2021.

Guests at the resort can also partake in luxury leisure activities together with their families and friends, including guided nature walks with the resort’s very own Naturalist, mangrove eco tours, movies under the

Dining at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is a gastronomic nod to fresh coastal dining with an array of options ranging from freshly caught seafood at its signature alfresco beachfront restaurant, Sea.Fire.Salt, authentic local Malaysian fare and delicious Thai cuisine at The Turmeric restaurant, to Dining By Design, Anantara’s signature private dining experience in exotic locales. The elevated Observatory Bar is everyone’s favourite hangout spot, enjoying 360-degree views of the lush resort and ocean and an extensive range of top vintages and spirit, and imported cigars.

Guests can also reinvigorate and relax at the award winning Anantara Spa during their stay.

stars, kids activities, Spice Spoons cooking classes, beach activities such as beach volleyball, or tee off with spectacular coastal views at The Els Club Desaru Coast.

Dining at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is a gastronomic nod to fresh coastal dining with an array of options ranging from freshly caught seafood at its signature alfresco beachfront

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers 108 rooms that comprise three varieties – 90 deluxe rooms that were carefully decorated with indigenous materials such as woven textiles, wicker elements and silhouettes of traditional Malay craft; 13 stand-alone double-story one- and twobedroom pool villas located around the lagoon; and 5 expansive family-sized threeand four-bedroom residences, each having an infinity pool, spacious contemporary living areas, a full kitchen as well as chef and butler service.

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In addition to the Work from Paradise and Malaysia Residents offers, the resort is also introducing Stay Seven, Pay Six and Villa and Residence Retreats specials.

For more information and reservations, please contact desaru@anantara.com or visit https://www.anantara.com/en/desaru-coast/offers

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BigPay introduces cash top-ups in 2,400 locations across Malaysia to further expand its customer reach

NEWS

By Sarah Rae BigPay, the FinTech platform democratising banking across Southeast Asia, is expanding its range of financial services with the launch of cash top-up at all 7-Eleven stores across Malaysia. Existing users can now top-up their BigPay account at any of the over 2,400 7-Eleven locations nationwide.

“Ensuring that everyone has access to digital banking services is central to our mission and allowing cash to be seamlessly transferred to a BigPay account is a big step in that direction,” said Salim Dhanani, Co-Founder of BigPay. “7-Eleven has more locations than most banks have branches in Malaysia.

This gives BigPay a unique advantage when it comes to providing financial services across the country.”

Launched in 2018, BigPay has grown to become one of Malaysia’s largest digital financial platforms by gross transaction value, with over 1.3 million users in the country. BigPay enables its users to easily open an account from their mobile phones and make payments at any local or international merchant. They can also make free and instant money transfers to friends, split bills, manage expenses and track their spending – all via one integrated app which can be downloaded for free via Google Play and Apple’s

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App Store.

“We aim to provide all consumers access to mainstream financial products usually only offered by retail banks, but at much lower costs and with unprecedented efficiency.

We want to remove physical and monetary barriers preventing people from better managing and using their finances. Our successes to date provide a robust foundation for us to solidify our footprint in new markets and product lines in the year ahead,” added Salim.

As part of its mission to challenge banking and improve financial services inclusivity across Southeast Asia via FinTech, BigPay intends to grow in more ASEAN countries during the course of 2021.

The company is also looking to launch a range of new products, including personal loans, insurance and wealth management. The company has also expressed interest in applying for a digital banking license in Malaysia and other markets and is actively evaluating the right approach.

As part of its continued regional expansion, BigPay also launched its services in Singapore in September 2020.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Cheque Handover Ceremony for Abandoned Genting Valley Project NEWS

By Sarah Rae Property Developer, NCT Platinum Sdn Bhd (NCT Group) and financial advisory firm, CRS Corporate Services Sdn Bhd (CRS) held a Cheque Handover Ceremony for the Genting Valley Batang Kali Abandoned Project at Menara NCT recently. The ceremony was attended by Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy, Founder and Managing Director of NCT Group, Dato’ Joe Yap Fook Choy, CoFounder and Executive Director of NCT Group, Mr. Chu Siew Koon, Executive Director of CRS and Mr. James Chang, Senior Sales & Marketing General Manager of NCT Group.

The ceremony marks an auspicious day where buyers of a seventeen year old abandoned housing project called The Genting Valley received their refund sum from a successful revival and rehabilitation scheme of arrangement under Section 366 of the Companies Act 2016. Taking place from 6th to 13th January 2021 at Menara NCT in Puchong, the refund process involves handing over of bank drafts amounting to approximately RM15.5mil to 266 buyers of Phase 2A & 2B of the project.

The rehabilitation scheme is under the purview of Mr. Wong Ching Yong, the liquidator for the developer of the project, spearheaded by the administrative team at CRS which is led by its.

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Executive Director, Mr Chu Siew Koon and in synergy with NCT Group as the White Knight of the project.

The rehabilitation scheme is under the purview of Mr. Wong Ching Yong, the liquidator for the developer of the project, spearheaded by the administrative team at CRS which is led by its Executive Director, Mr Chu Siew Koon and in synergy with NCT Group as the White Knight of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the buyers group, Dato’ Aziz commented “The choice of NCT as the White Knight developer to undertake the rehabilitation of the abandoned project by CRS is based on NCT’s positive track record as an experienced developer renowned for its ability to deliver. NCT agreed to rehabilitate the abandoned project and gave the purchasers of Phase 2A and 2B two choices - to participate in the rehabilitation scheme with some additional costs or to opt out by surrendering their plots of land in the abandoned project in return for a full refund. I am one of the purchasers of Phase 2B and I have chosen to opt out for reasons of my own. At today’s ceremony, NCT kept their words and handed over the cheque to me and other buyers who opted out of the deal. At the ceremony I saw the artist’s impressions of the proposed rehabilitation

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plan on display for Phase 2A and 2B, it is beautiful and promising.”

Three other buyers, namely Mr. Fam, Ms. Sara, and Mr. Arul, echoed his point. They had almost lost all hope, but they eventually saw some light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to NCT Group and CRS. Mr. Arul also cautioned buyers to conduct an in-depth study on the developer or sub-contractor of any project that they choose to invest in, to spare them the heartache that he had endured. Mr. Fam and Ms. Sara also expressed their gratitude to both NCT Group and CRS for ending their seventeen year ordeal.

The Genting Valley is a residential development of 665 bungalow plots over five phases i.e. Phase 1, 2, 3, 2A & 2B across 205.1 acres of land in Mukim Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor. This project commenced in 2000 but due to cash flow difficulties, building works had stopped in 2004 and was since abandoned. On 24th January 2007, the Court had ordered the developer for the project - Jade San Realty Sdn Bhd to be wound up. It was the liquidator’s initial intention to formulate a scheme to revive and complete the 5 phases. However, due to certain legal impediments, it would be more practical to rehabilitate the project in phases.

NEWS

NCT Group was successfully named as the White Knight to take on the project after completing an Expression of Interest Exercise on 5 August 2017 with its strong track record and solid financial history. By rehabilitating Malaysia's mega-abandoned housing development since 2010, the NCT Group has paved its way to the top-tier property development market.

NCT Group was responsible for reviving the largest abandoned project in Malaysia located in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, where the company aided 713 buyers and the largest abandoned project in Pahang, where 339 buyers were assisted and is now home to the company's award-winning hotel in Genting Highlands, Grand Ion Delemen.

NCT Group’s Founder and Managing Director, Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy shared, “We are excited to be on board this rehabilitation project and to have the chance to do what we do best. I would like to thank the buyers for entrusting us. Today marks a new beginning for all of them.”

Court Convened Meeting under Section 366 of the Companies Act 2016. In this scheme, the buyers will be able to continue with their purchase with an additional contribution sum to obtain the individual title for their plot in a ready to build condition.

Alternatively, buyers who wish to exit the purchase will receive a refund of 100% amount paid to the Company for their purchase.

Today, we see the first stage of the scheme rolled out in success, giving majority of the buyer’s closure to a seventeen year old heartache and misgivings. In the coming months, the remaining buyers will be in anticipation of the second stage where the revival plan is due to be revealed, giving a glimpse into the next 4 years when the project is due to complete.

With all elements in place, on 7 December 2019, a scheme to revive and complete Phase 2A & 2B of the project had garnered an overwhelming 96.4% in support from the buyers attending and voting at the

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NEWS

Minor International achieves record-breaking THB 2.5 billion in real estate sales

By Sarah Rae Minor International (MINT), one of the largest hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle companies in Asia Pacific, achieved a record-breaking THB 2.5 billion in eight separate residential villa sales in Phuket in the preceding 12 months.

Nestled on a lush hillside above Layan Beach on Phuket’s north-western coast, Minor International’s resort-branded residences – Layan Residences by Anantara and Avadina Hills

by Anantara – benefit from world-class management, facilities and services provided 24/7 by the fivestar Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.

“Good infrastructure, beautiful weather, and a vibrant culture place Thailand among the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia for second homes, and for those who are looking to invest, Phuket hosts some of the Kingdom’s most attractive residential portfolios,” said Mr. Micah Tamthai, Vice President of Real Estate, Minor International. “Our recent sales achievement is also a testament of the increasing preference, especially among a growing population of high-end customers, towards resort-branded residences that offer an exceptional luxury product and a seamless, hassle-free home-ownership experience.”

Located only 20 minutes

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from Phuket’s international airport, Layan Residences by Anantara is a boutique collection of 15 private pool villas ranging from 1,695 to 3,195 square metres in builtup area. Each has been uniquely designed in contemporary Thai style and features one-of-a-kind panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Next door on 100 rai (40 acres) of land, Avadina Hills

by Anantara offers 11 ultraluxury residences ranging in size from 2,452 to 3,373 square metres.

Elegantly minimalist, the design draws inspiration from the Japanese heritage of codeveloper Kajima, a construction and real estate development company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. All villas feature one or two expansion floors for additional guest suites and bespoke wellness or entertainment spaces, fully customisable to suit each owner’s lifestyle.

Among the developments’ recently sold freehold villas is a seven-bedroom residence which comes complete with a private spa, gym and home cinema, a five-bedroom residence with two levels of outdoor entertaining space, and a residence with four master suites, each with a private terrace and sweeping ocean views.

Five-star amenities at the adjacent Anantara Layan Phuket Resort include a

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private beach and beach club, Thai and international fine dining, award-winning Anantara Spa, kids’ club, helipad and boat tender drop-off point, as well as a full suite of wellness facilities comprising swimming pools, a fitness centre, tennis court and Muay Thai boxing ring.

Owners and residents also benefit from the resort’s inresidence services – including private butler, buggy and chef services – and the option to participate in a flexible resort-managed rental program.

With international-standard healthcare, a flourishing wellness culture and myriad leisure activities ranging from golf to diving to yachting, Phuket has earned its status as one of the region’s most exciting lifestyle destinations and hospitality markets: the annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index ranked the island one of the 20 most popular tropical beach destinations with international visitors in 2019.

“As Thailand’s resilient tourism industry begins its recovery, augmented by a strong history of land and villa capital appreciation in Phuket, we remain confident of the island’s property market outlook in 2021 and beyond,” concluded Mr. Tamthai.

The residences are available for private ownership at a starting price of THB 225 million for Layan Residences

by Anantara and THB 292 million for Avadina Hills by Anantara.

FEATURE

Sustainability has been a universal buzzword across most industries for years. However, with increased evidence of climate change and the severe impact it is having on global communities, implementing eco-friendly practices that mitigate harm to and preserve the environment has become an essential standard rather than a standout feature, especially for real estate developers. Selo Group, an award-winning and fully integrated development company based in Singapore, is using its position in the industry to encourage fellow developers to look beyond sustainability toward regenerative development, a forward-thinking approach that seeks to make a positive impact for the local communities.

Selo recently shared insights on global topics that affect regenerative development efforts, including the latest housing and building trends that will play a role in developers’ futures. The group also reaffirms its commitment to sustainability through its zero-waste program, and the company’s precrafted construction process, a multi-step process that leads to faster building and lower costs than traditional construction.

“At Selo Group, we want to take a more strategic, thoughtful, and long-term approach for all our developments,” said Andrew Corkery, Selo Group CEO. “This means going beyond just sustainability products and into processes, communities, education, social responsibility and the whole eco-system partnering with nature.”

LOOKING BEYOND SUSTAINABILITY TO REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

By Joey Seth

Global Trends According to Kosmos Journal, a peer-reviewed publication covering global transformation, regenerative development focuses on using resources to improve society’s wellbeing in a way that builds the capacity of the support systems for future growth. Pamela Mang and Ben Haggard, co-founders of Regenesis, a world leader in the field of regenerative development, wrote in their book Regenerative Development and Design:

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A Framework for Evolving Sustainability, “Regenerative practitioners do not think about what they are designing as an end product. They think about it as the beginning of a process.”

Selo has incorporated the process of regenerative development into its work with the Selo Footprints Program, which has been working hard for more than 12 years to support and contribute to the communities in Lombok, Indonesia.

They provide sustainable jobs for the community to stimulate growth and improve rural livelihoods in Selong Belanak, as well as offer support for disaster relief efforts. The program also coordinates and participates in beach clean-ups, supports local schools by establishing sport clubs and providing essential infrastructure such as water tanks and internet, and is a member of the Selong Belanak Community association, which focuses on environmental sustainability, waste management, and community development.

There are five global housing and building trends that will impact the real estate industry’s move toward regenerative development:

· Urbanisation has been on the rise, and it is estimated that a new city of 1.5 million people will have to be built every week, or 96,000 houses per day to meet the world’s growing demand in the next few decades. · Sustainability has become a necessity with this growth, and residents are demanding that governments and communities provide better use of resources and energy to meet this need. People are demanding warmer, safer, quieter buildings that have a longer life span and can be constructed with less material waste. · Housing availability and affordability is also a concern with global population growth as demand coupled with limited supply of quality housing is forcing prices up. · Environmental events such as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones are forcing many governments and communities to rethink their policies on building methods.

The need for more modern regulations has construction businesses, engineers, and developers looking for alternative methods of construction and materials.

· Lastly, it is important to monitor the political and economic influences on the real estate industry. The fast expanding “middle class” in most economies creates a surge in demand for quality housing, schools, health centres as well as community infrastructures.

Precrafted Process

contend with these global trends, Selo introduced its precrafted construction process, a multi-step process rather than a singular product. In 2020, Selo Group launched its precrafted designer villas that provide an opportunity for sustainable and cost-effective real estate anywhere in Indonesia. The company’s expert craftsmen build the villas with the highest efficiency through precrafted construction, which is the practice of assembling a variety of components at a manufacturing site and transporting them to a requested location.

This method offers a variety of benefits, including speed, a reduced need of highly skilled labour, a faster return on investment with a greater chance to satisfy immediate market demand, versatility of design, and a reduced environmental impact with minimal waste by using an accurate design and manufacturer. More information can be found at www.seloprecrafted.co.

Zero Waste Program As part of their sustainability strategy, Selo aims to achieve zero waste in its operation in Lombok by developing several initiatives to minimise its environmental footprint. The initiative is built on the principles of waste management – reduce, reuse, recycle. The company created a waste management centre – Selong Selo For Waste Recovery (SSCR) – within the premise to recycle and upcycle all waste collected at its Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #7 - 2020

development to make composted, raw materials such as glass cullet and plastic flakes, and products such as reusable bags, drinking glasses and terrazzo vases.

Additionally, Selo adheres to and promotes the elimination of single-use plastics and plastic water bottles, reducing waste entering landfill and the oceans.

Looking Ahead Selo understands the importance of amplifying local artists’ voices when it comes to contributing to a community.

The company will soon introduce a new platform to boost the reach of creators like Gumi Bamboo, which makes ecofriendly products like toothbrushes, bags and cups, and YanamiJuan Home and Gallery, which applies paintings to tote bags, scarves, and other items, since they are a crucial part of the fabric of Lombok’s community.

Additionally, Selo plans to introduce an ecological park behind its Selong Selo Resort & Residences development in Lombok.

The 100-hectare site will include a nursery, solar panels, plantation forests and other tourism activities, with the goal of promoting regeneration and restoration of the environment and social resilience, in harmony with commercial development.

For more information on Selo Group and its efforts toward regenerative development and sustainability, please visit www.selogroup.co and www.selofootprints.org.

Selo Group has a proven track record of building quality, award-winning luxury resorts and villas on time and on budget, to the highest international standards. The business model is built around acquisition, development, and operation.

The company’s experienced international team oversees design, property sales and marketing, construction, and hotel and resort operations. Selo Group provides a diverse suite of development, construction, operations, and management services, overseeing projects from beginning to end with a strong commitment to sustainability.

Through vertical integration, the group captures efficiencies in the design, sales and construction verticals that dovetail into operating resorts. Selo’s green technology and design demonstrate a commitment to sustainability principles in its construction methods, internal operations, and engagement with local communities and the natural environment.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

BlueDuck Looks To Help Tenants & Landlords Alike

NEWS

By Sarah Rae Kuala Lumpur, 17 March 2021 - The Malaysian property rental industry has taken a large hit as a result of COVID-19. However, it must be noted that there has been a lack of technological innovation in past years, causing it to stagnate despite the advancement in cashless payments and contactless methods. To add, there is an estimated RM 3 billion in locked funds as a result of security deposits and additional initial rental payments required prior to moving in, according to a study by BlueDuck. Realizing this gap, BlueDuck was launched with the aim to make the rental experience more seamless and efficient, doing away with old and archaic methods through technology.

BlueDuck achieves this through its Insurtech and Zero Deposit solutions, ensuring safety for landlords while saving thousands for tenants.

One of the long-standing issues that come with renting a new unit include the exorbitant initial fee.

Traditionally, two and a half months worth of rental along with a deposit are required in order to move into a newly rented property.

If for example, monthly rental costs RM 2,000, the amount of initial payment needed would be RM 7,000.

Through BlueDuck’s Zero Deposit policy, a tenant would only need to pay RM 2,000 in advanced rental to

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move into the same unit.

This is particularly important in today’s climate with the pandemic severely impacting the expendable income available to prospective tenants. Through BlueDuck, tenants will enjoy huge savings, unlocking funds for other purchases and in turn, spurring Malaysia’s economy. Not to mention, auto debit is also available to make automatic deduction an option for tenants should they go for the seamless payment option.

“The story of founding BlueDuck was inspired by my personal experience when I attempted to rent my first unit a while ago. While I managed to find a place for a reasonable price, it was not until later that I was aware of the additional costs incurred just to move in. On top of that, the process itself was very traditional, requiring ample paperwork.

Fast forward to today and the process is largely unchanged, which sparked my interest in finding a solution, hence the birth of BlueDuck.

Through our Insurtech and Zero Deposit solutions, we are truly hoping to make the lives of tenants and landlords much easier as we work with them and property agents to ensure faster and easier access of our solution, reaching a win-win solution for all parties,” added Earnest Wong, CEO of BlueDuck.

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Besides tenants struggling to afford the initial fees associated with renting, the competition has undoubtedly heated up among landlords as the supply of units far outweighs the demand at the moment.

Thus, a lower entry cost for property rental is one of the solutions that could encourage more tenants to commit to renting a unit.

However, this may cause landlords to be more cautious as security deposits are waived, eliminating collateral in case a tenant defaults.

Understanding this, BlueDuck verifies tenants’ eligibility through first conducting a background CTOS screening, followed by e-tenancy agreement and estamping, eliminating the need for physical contact as more steps in the rental process are made contactless. BlueDuck takes this a step further, introducing BlueDuck Pay, a direct debit solution that turns monthly payments cashless. Together, these features allow for the whole rental process to be made digital, doing away with contact of any form and in turn, making renting safe in a time when efforts by other industries are being taken to curb the spread of the virus.

In fact, we are currently working on ways to refine our Zero Deposit solution so stay tuned for that!” added Earnest Wong.

Moving forward, BlueDuck looks to continuously innovate and discover new ways to improve processes in the property industry, ensuring more tenants and landlords are able to make ends meet during these trying times. The fintech platform aims to elevate the rental experience as a whole through its solutions as it strives to drive technological innovation for years to come in this space. To find out more, please visit www.blueduck.my.

“The past few years have hit the property industry rather badly. Even before the pandemic arrived, the industry had seen a downturn. With landlords and tenants alike suffering, we were inspired to develop BlueDuck into the solution it is today, hoping to help as many people as possible. We are proud to say that we have more than 200 tenants across five states and have managed to save more than RM 600,000 for our customers. This level of growth in a short time is only made possible through our great relationship with property agents, as we’ve hit a new milestone of 2000 in our network from over 30 major property agencies.

Through technology, we strive to constantly innovate and find new ways to make the rental process more efficient.

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SPOTLIGHT

Young Entrepreneurs to Represent Malaysia in the FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International

By Gunaprasath Bupalan Trade Challenge Asia-Pacific FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation company, together with Junior Achievement (JA), recently announced the six winners of the annual FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) 2020. The winners will advance to the FedEx Express / JA ITC Regional Finals which is being held in this month.

strategies, identified market opportunities, and distribution channels to a distinguished panel of judges including CS Goh, CoFounder and Chief Corporate Officer at MACROKIOSK Group, Lin Nah Tan, Chief Executive Officer of INTI International University & Colleges and Jack Farrell, Entrepreneur in Residence at START.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s FedEx Express / JA ITC Malaysian competition was held virtually for the first time since the competition began in 2008. This year, 542 students from the Central Region and Penang participated in a series of nine intensive virtual workshops held from 27 July to 8 September. In the workshops, volunteers from JA Malaysia and 24 FedEx mentored the students and guided them through the development of their plans.

Pranav Kashyap and Pooja Nishani from Global Indian International School, who developed a Techno-Bio drinking bottle that can purify water on the go. It is aimed at tourists who do not have access to readily available clean drinking water. The product also targets to reduce plastic bottle waste normally generated by tourists during their travels.

At the FedEx / JA ITC Malaysia finals, 15 shortlisted teams presented their market entry strategy plans for a travel product with Cambodia as the target market. Applying the insights and knowledge gained from the virtual workshops, students presented their team’s business plan with value proposition, pricing

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Team Aurora: Poi Shie Chee and Clarisse Chin Xiao Hwei from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 3, who developed a water bottle called WASH-ed that can filter and purify water on the go. It is designed with a 2-Stage filter that can remove disease-causing pathogens.

This year, the three winning teams are: Team BioDroplets:

Team ViRo Tech Inc.:

Rosalind Naruniranat and Vivian Ung Wei Lin from SMK Convent Green Lane, who developed an affordable personal mobility device – the Fit-Walk – which has a low fuel requirement. The product is aimed at working individuals who are unable to purchase a full-fledged car or those with poor access to public transport.

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SC Chong, Managing Director Of FedEx Express Malaysia

“The determination and commitment from the students despite the global pandemic is exemplary. They embraced the new normal in joining the virtual workshops and the Malaysian finale. We hope this valuable program, now in its 13th year, continues to shape our future global business leaders for the 21st century marketplace.

We look forward to the winning teams representing Malaysia proudly in the regional finals,” said SC Chong, Managing Director of FedEx Express Malaysia.

"JA Malaysia is proud to continue collaborating with FedEx Express Malaysia in educating and empowering our youth. In this changed environment, we were able to adapt the various modules into a virtual blended learning format, with the support of FedEx Express volunteers. This also serves as a mock simulation for the participants to see what it would be like to start a business in a postpandemic environment,” said Stuart Dean, chairman of JA Malaysia.

The FedEx Express / JA ITC regional finals will be held in March 2021, where students from 7 other international countries such as Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand will also participate in this competition.

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About FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge Sponsored by FedEx Express for 13 years now, the FedEx Express / JA ITC program is held in collaboration with Junior Achievement (JA) Malaysia, one of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations dedicated to addressing fundamental social and economic challenges of young people through a series of in-school and after-school programs.

The FedEx Express / JA ITC provides the platform for students to gain first-hand experience of international trade and entrepreneurship, while cultivating a business mindset. To date, through FedEx Express / JA ITC, it has impacted more than 6,005 students in Malaysia alongside a milestone success where 2 Malaysian students emerged as the Top 3 teams in the FedEx Express / JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) Asia Pacific Regional Finals 2019.

Designed to foster business knowledge through practical teamwork exercises and classroom learning, the FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx Express / JA ITC) program comprises two key activities: The International Trade Workshop and the International Trade Challenge.

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To enter the FedEx Express / JA ITC, students in teams of two have to develop a specific product or service and create an original international marketing plan for a designated country.

Through this process, students gain first-hand experience of what roles world trade, product distribution and sales play in a market environment. In addition to teamwork, participating students learn the basics of risk evaluation in the business world and gain confidence in their analytical ability.

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/AsiaPa cificITC.

Stuart Dean, Chairman of JA Malaysia

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #7 - 2020

SPOTLIGHT

AYDA wraps up the year 2020 in its first ever fully digital awards ceremony as Dayana Aripin from University Sains Malaysia and Lim Yee Fah from Taylor’s University take home the Gold Award for Architecture and Interior Design Categories.

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WIN BIG AT THE ASIYOUNG DESIGNERS FROM USM AND TAYLOR’S A YOUNG DESIGNER AWARDS 2020

The Asia Young Designer Awards (“AYDA”) organised by Nippon Paint Malaysia in collaboration with IJM Land Berhad, has announced the two winners of the Asia Young Designer Awards 2020. Its first fully digital competition themed “Human-Centred Design”, saw Dayana Aripin from University Sains Malaysia and Lim Yee Fah from Taylor’s University grabbed first place, as gold winners in the architectural and interior design categories respectively.

Both the Malaysian winners stand a chance to advance to the regional level of the competition where they are in the running to be sent on a once-in-a-lifetime 6-week-all-expense paid Design Discovery programme at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in Boston, USA. This follows the establishment of the Gennosuke Obata Fellowship at Harvard, an esteemed partnership that provides both parties with the opportunity to exchange cross-cultural ideas and values.

For the past 13 years, AYDA has aimed to inspire young designers to elevate their creativity and innovate their ideas to push above and beyond the norm to create outstanding professionals in the architectural and interior design industry. 2020’s theme “HumanCentred Design” encouraged designers to further explore their problem-solving skills by developing designs that is intuitive to its intended users’ needs and wants.

The winners for this year, Dayana Aripin and Lim Yee Fah took home a cash prize of RM5,000 along with the prestigious title of ‘Gold Award Winner’ in the Architectural and Interior Design categories respectively. Gold Award winner Dayana Aripin realised an opportunity to uplift the lives of her fellow Penangites as they were facing gentrification due to the rapid development of urban areas and change demography within the local community. She then developed a design that not only revitalises the heritage and culture of Penang but also provided affordable homes. As the idiom goes, ‘to feed two birds with one seed’, Dayana achieved precisely that through her Micro-housing proposal.

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Commenting on her design, Micro-housing Within Heritage, Dayana Aripin said “Penang has lost its culture and heritage due to overcrowding of tourists and the Rent Act that was introduced back in 2000. I strongly believe that these issues can be solved through microhousing in pocket spaces within the heritage zone. It is a project that I personally think is possible and to be able to turn it into a reality will be a dream come true. I’m excited to see what’s in stored for me next.”

In the Interior Design category, Gold Award winner, Lim Yee Fah’s proposal entitled, ‘Wo.Men’, is a refreshing take on an empowerment centre that equips women with life training skills and doubles as a center of refuge for single mothers and women who had suffered abuse and domestic violence. ‘Wo.Men’ or ‘ 我们 ’ which means ‘us’ in Mandarin is envisioned to be a safe haven for women and a fresh start for all who seek.

Lim Yee Fah’ on her design ‘Wo.Men’, said that, “My intention is to create a safe and affordable living space for victims of domestic abuse, single mothers and women to be able to learn, grow and heal. I would have never guessed that this idea would bring me this far. To be the gold winner for this year’s competition feels surreal. I am delighted that my decision to push out of my comfort zone has earned me this opportunity. I want to thank the judges for all the guidance and feedback, I have grown so much and I can’t wait for my next journey to learn even more.”

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Mr Yaw Seng Heng, Group Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group, said, “As we enter into the 13th year of AYDA, I’m proud to know the immense value it still brings to the table. AYDA is more than just a competition, it is a platform that nurtures the future generation of designers, allowing them to reach their fullest potential.

This platform was initially conceptualised to be gathering of like-minded individuals who sought to pool their resources and share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It fills me with great joy that even after 13 years, the passion to provide a one-of-a-kind experience and to groom the designers of tomorrow is still alive and well today.

We will continue in our pursuit to instil in them the desire to never stop learning and I believe that AYDA will continue to be a platform where young designers can learn and grow their talents to the next level.

2020 was the first time that AYDA has gone fully virtual and we have overcome them despite the hurdles we faced. Our goal as always is to stay connected with all participants. Even on a virtual platform, the judges took the time and effort to conduct workshops, mentoring and coaching sessions. I would like to commend everyone involved for making AYDA 2020 a roaring success and the ceaseless pursuit to nurture the design community.

I am proud of each and every one of the finalists and as for the winners, I’m excited to see you both excel in your journey.”

The Asia Young Designer Awards 2020 Award Ceremony saw renowned judges from the Architectural and Interior Designing industry. Chief judges who adjudicated this year’s competition were Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum (Architecture Category) and Mr. Lai Siew Hong (Interior Design Category).

Speaking on Dayana Aripin’s design, Chief Judge for the Architectural category, Ar. Sarly, said, “Dayana’s ‘Micro-housing Within Heritage Context’ project was executed with extraordinary detail and care, and she communicated the space and concept brilliantly. It is not impossible to bring this project to life. In addition, with the rent control issues in Penang, this project has addressed all the contextual considerations, solving multiple issues in one elegant solution.”

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Both winning projects have received high praise from industry experts.

Commenting on Lim Yee Fah’s design, Chief Judge for the Interior Design category, Mr Lai Siew Hong, said, “Every year, the ideas brought to the table by the participants always go beyond what I expect and this year is no different. She presented her idea with so much passion and love. Her design was meticulously planned out and even the meaning behind the name Wo.Men was beautifully and thoughtfully iterated. Her ideation of helping single mothers, women who suffered domestic abuse and women is indeed an inspiration.”

Now in its 13th year, AYDA has grown to be a prestigious platform supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Youth Malaysia (REHDA Youth), Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID), Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and Malaysia Green Building Confederation (MGBC). The continuous collaborative efforts from all partners have made the AYDA programme a success year after year.

The Nippon Paint Malaysia Group (“NPM Group”) is

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currently Malaysia’s No. 1 Total Coating Solutions provider, enjoying its market leadership position since 2008. The NPM Group is part of the Nippon Paint Group, which is currently Asia’s No. 1 coating manufacturer spanning 15 geographical locations, built on a heritage of over 130 years dating back to 1881 in Japan.

Established in 1967 as Nippon Paint (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the company has since grown in leaps and bounds, and today, has emerged as a significant regional player within the coatings industry with presence in countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The NPM Group places strong emphasis in Research and Development (R&D) activities, which remains a core priority to its success in product innovation. As a global leader in coating technologies with a database of more than 10,000 paint formulations, the NPM Group prides itself in being a Total Coating Solutions provider with a multi-segment portfolio of offerings ranging from Architectural, Automotive, Industrial, Protective to Marine coatings from endto-end solutions including painting tools and waterproofing solutions. In July 2020, Nippon Paint launched the industry’s first

e-store, housing a range of coatings solutions and painting tools under one roof.

In 2019, Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd (‘Nippon Paint Holdings’) acquired DuluxGroup Limited (‘DGL’) as part of Nippon Paint Holding’s global expansion initiative. Following the acquisition, Nippon Paint Holdings gained ownership of Selleys globally. Effective May 2020, Nippon Paint Malaysia (‘Nippon Paint’) houses Selleys’ range of products, further expanding its home improvement segment. Selleys’ range of products includes sealants (Selleys Blockade), household adhesives (Selleys Supa Glue), construction adhesives (Selleys Liquid Nails®), fillers (Selleys No More Gaps®) and lubricants (Selleys RP7).

In its concerted effort to champion sustainability towards a greener footprint, the Group has received the Green Label Certification (by the Singapore Environment Council), EcoLabelling Certification License (by SIRIM QAS International) and several Green Excellence Awards by Frost & Sullivan.

To find out more about AYDA, the entries and other information, log on to https://www.asiayoungdesi gnerawards.com.my/

TALKING POINTS

BUYING A SECOND HAND PROPERTY? STOP! With Gunaprasath Bupalan

I have received numerous calls from first time homebuyers asking me if buying a sub sale house is the right way to go.

They feel that buying second hand is cheaper than buying a new home from a developer. They actually feel it is the smarted thing to do.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

My answer to them is always – NO!!!

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It is cheaper to buy a second hand home…really?

Yes this may be true for other items like mobile phones, cars, other gadgets, electronics and so on. But when it comes to a house…think again.

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

Let’s compare shall we?

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A 10 year old second hand house selling at RM500,000. You need a downpayment of RM50,000, all those extra must pays such as Legal Fees and so on so forth that may come up to another 50,000 in total. Then the killer – renovation cost. You may need to spend a bucket load of money to redo many areas of the house to make it liveable to your taste and maybe even upgrade some piping and electricals. So, realistically, after spending atleast another RM100,000 on renovations, your home price now has excalated to above RM600,000 with a lot of initial fork out.

In a similar scenario, buying a brand new house that costs RM500,000….

Now you are going to argue with me that it is impossible to find a decent house for this price in today’s property market…right?

Well there is! You are just too lazy to look. They are not just available in the outskirts. You can find decent new homes even in established townships.

But…let’s not digress.

Coming back to the scenario. You buy a new house for RM500,000. Your downpayment of RM50,000 may be absorbed with rebates most developers are bundling into their

packages at the moment. Your other must pays are probably absorbed too with the current HOC and other initiatives. Renovations can actually be kept at a minimal because it is SPANKING NEW!!!

You may not need to do any renovations to live comfortably in the house, but even if you just need to spend that extra dollar to tell yourself that you have bought a home – your reno cost shouldn’t be more than RM20 to RM50,000. In today’s market – most new developments come with state of the art security features and infrastructures too. This simply means that you are getting the latest in the market without paying extra for them.

Personally to me, the top of the list would be the fact that buying a new house means that you do not have to live with somebody else’s toe nails – you know what I mean? No one lived there before and you do not need to think about what they did and where in the house…

Points to Ponder This is just one point in why I feel you should buy new. There are many other benefits that include: 1) You would be able to enjoy the HOC rebates and waivers 2) If you buy now, you have the government’s PENJANA incentives too 3) The develpor will have a vested interes in getting you the financing from their panel banks 4) You have a clean canvas to work with. You do not have to worry about pink walls and green tiles that may have been the pride of the previous owner

Property360Digest e-magazine Issue #8 - 2021

So…ditch those second hand houses if you are finally awakened from your misconception.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do share your take on the matter, I would love to hear from you

For more than 15 years Emjay Communications has been bringing you property news, insights, reviews, tips, new laws, industry heroes, industry updates, etc in various publications such as: • Best@ (The Star) • PropertyOnTraxx (TRAXX FM) • Property Digest • The Malaysia Global Business Forum • News Hub Asia • Jalan Jalan Cari Rumah • and on Social Media Our venture into the industry began years ago as the content provider for PropertyTimes (New Straits Times) as well as Real Reserve (The Malaysian Reserve) and Real Spaces (Malay Mail)

Advertise / Get us to review you project 017-212-3544 / gp.emjay@gmail.com

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