HK Developer Spreads Wings to Johor

Hong Kong developer New World Development Co Ltd has made its maiden venture into Johor Baru, through Taipan Eagle Sdn Bhd, its joint venture company with Malaysian firm Luen Yum Development (M) Sdn Bhd. At present, Taipan Eagle is undertaking a gated/guarded project dubbed the New World Garden, which comprises 96 luxury houses on a 4.85ha site along Jalan Masai Baru at Mukim Plentong, reported The Star. Specifically, the project consists four three-storey bungalows priced from RM4 million and 92 three-storey semi-detached villas with a starting price of RM2.4 million. The project also features a 40,000 sq ft club house with a gymnasium, function rooms, barbecue pits and swimming pools. “We decided to come to Johor Bahru in view of the positive development taking place in Iskandar Malaysia and the good growth prospects,” said Michael Tham, Director of Luen Yuen, adding that the project is expected to be completed in Q2 2014 and will have a gross development value of RM240 million. “We are banking on the project’s strategic location and its easy accessibility from other parts of Johor Bahru to attract buyers.” Notably, the project is only a short drive from Danga Bay, Johor Bahru’s city centre, Senai Airport and the commercial centre in Taman Molek, as well as Singapore via the Causeway. Moving forward, Taipan Eagle also plans to develop bigger projects like townships in the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru, noted Tham.

UK University's Iskandar cCmpus Eyes More Students

The University of Southampton has successfully opened its first-ever international campus in Educity, Iskandar Malaysia in October last year. “Our ambition is to have a similar status within Malaysia as being a premier university for engineering education and engineering research,” said Prof John McBride, Chief Executive Officer of USMC. Aside from being listed among the world’s top 100 universities, University of Southampton is also regarded as one of the top two universities for engineering research and education in the UK. The University of Southampton Malaysia Campus (USMC) eyes “to attract about 3,000 local and international students once our main campus is complete in the next eight years,” said McBride. Since it opened in October 2012, the campus saw “22 students currently pursuing the Masters of Mechanical Engineering programme and we hope to increase the number to 150 by introducing the Electronic and Electrical Engineering (EEE) programme in September.” Students would have to stay for two years in USMC before they can complete their studies at the UK main campus for another two years. McBride said graduates of the university were most sought-after by multi-national firms such as Google, Apple, Rolls Royce and Airbus.

MEDINI Johor Bahru, Best Investment of All Time!!!

The Medini Iskandar Malaysia project in Johor is raking in significant amount of interest from investors keen to partake in the mega development. For one, Global Capital and Development Sdn Bhd (GCD) eyes to partake in the initial phase of Medini's Media Village. The target investment will yield a built-up development value of RM1.5 billion in the next three to five years, said Keith Martin, Chief Executive Officer of GCD. Martin expects more investors to buy segments within the Medini’s 658ha development zones: Medini Business, Medini Living and Medini Lifestyle, reported the Business Times. Of these, the 142ha Medini Business zone will witness the development of mixed commercial buildings, business parks and the Media@Medini media village — which will be built to support Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios and the Asian TV and film industry in general. “There is a clear demand driver from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly from Singapore, to seek more affordable space in Medini with close proximity to Singapore,” noted Martin. As of now, GCD holds generous amount of committed investment in Medini, including a RM500 million landmark deal with Pantai Group and a RM745 million venture with Sunway Bhd. Platinum Meadow Sdn Bhd also signed for a RM688 million commercial venture in the Medini Business zone. “Together, they represent a total development value in the region of RM1.2 billion and we are confident of the continued investor interest in Medini.” The booming development in Medini as well as the whole Iskandar region is expected to spice up economic growth to make Malaysia a high-income nation moving forward. “As more investments look to pour in, we will certainly continue adding a boost to Malaysia's economy and contributing to its healthy gross domestic product figures,” added Martin.