KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Malaysia’s property transactions hit a new high in 2025, surpassing RM240 billion for the first time in a decade. The milestone was revealed in the Property Market Report 2025, released today by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH). According to the report, the total transaction value increased by 4.1 per cent year-on-year, reaching RM241.87 billion,...

KUALA LUMPUR: Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) is stepping up its project pipeline, driven by new waterfront developments in Penang and continued township expansion at Andaman Island, as it advances the long-term master plan for the reclaimed island. Managing director Kok Tuck Cheong said the group's next launch will focus on a low-density commercial waterfront project within a 30-hectare belt...

HB Perspective...

CONVENTION tourism sector in Penang has recorded strong growth in recent years, with the industry generating an estimated economic impact exceeding RM1bil last year. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the sector has become a vital lifeline for local industries, bolstering transportation, retail, hospitality and supply chains. He added that with the upcoming Penang Waterfront Convention Centre...

PETALING JAYA: Construction behemoth Sunway Bhd has proposed to acquire rival IJM Corp Bhd in a mega cash-and-shares deal worth in excess of RM11 billion. In its exchange filing today, Sunway said it had served notice of its conditional voluntary takeover offer on the IJM board to acquire all of the 3.5 billion IJM shares at RM3.15 a share. It said the offer price will be satisfied via cash totalling...

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 — Penang’s historic waterfront from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) to Tanjung City Marina (TCM) will be redeveloped into a commercial promenade under a long-term plan to revitalise the island’s seafront, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said today. He said TCM, the old godowns along the stretch and Church Street Pier are currently run-down but will be...

SEVERAL long-planned transport and infrastructure projects in Penang will move into the construction and delivery phase this year. State infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line, being built under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), would be advancing following completion of preparatory works. Another major...

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) scheme, which generated nearly RM900 million (S$284.2 million) in the year to June 2025, is increasingly being used as a visa for globally mobile families chasing international school access and a second base – not just retirees looking to settle. Behind the headline inflows, demand is increasingly concentrated. Chinese nationals make up about 53 per cent of main...

January 10, 2026 BATU KAWAN: Penang's tourism sector is projected to maintain strong growth this year, with over eight million tourists expected to arrive via Penang International Airport. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai attributed the growth to several new international flight routes, particularly direct services from Asian and Southeast Asian countries. "Last...

January 6, 2026 PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's residential property prices are expected to increase only modestly this year, by around one to two per cent, according to Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) president Datuk Ho Hon Sang. Speaking at the CEO Series 2026 pre-launch press conference today, Ho said that while construction costs are rising due to operational and logistics...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 5): Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY) has acquired three land parcels in Selangor and Penang for RM179.8 million, in a move to strengthen its presence in key urban growth corridors. Spanning nearly nine acres, the acquisitions involve parcels in Puchong and USJ 1, Selangor, as well as George Town, Penang. They are earmarked for mixed-use developments with a combined estimated gross...

January 5, 2026 GEORGE TOWN: The new shopping centre at Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) will complement the area's mixed-use development, supporting business and tourism without creating a retail glut. IJM Perennial Development director Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung said the retail component is part of an integrated project including a convention centre, offices and hotels, and is not intended...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 26): Penang-based electronics manufacturing services provider NationGate Holdings Bhd (KL:NATGATE) is acquiring Valeo Malaysia CDA Sdn Bhd from French automotive supplier Valeo SE for RM60.89 million in cash. Valeo Malaysia is principally involved in the manufacturing of plastic injection-moulded components, printed circuit board assemblies, final testing and assembly of...

Penang continues to be a top destination for both domestic and foreign tourists during the school holidays and Christmas celebrations, with hotel bookings showing strong performance, particularly in major tourist areas. — NSTP/DANIAL SAAD December 26, 2025 GEORGE TOWN: Penang continues to be a top destination for both domestic and foreign tourists during the school holidays and Christmas...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): Malaysia’s home ownership is on the climb, with the figure seeing a moderate pick-up last year compared to two years ago. About 78% of households lived in their own homes in 2024, up from 76% in 2022, according to a statement from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on Wednesday. Another 19.7% were living in rented living quarters, while 2.4% called...

December 12, 2025 PENANG today celebrated another milestone in its urban transformation with the official opening of the iconic Gurney Bridge, a signature eight-lane link connecting Gurney Bay to Andaman Island. The ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who described the project as a meaningful step forward in the state’s long-term vision for improved mobility, sustainable...

State Local Government Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the RSN 2040 review is intended to strengthen and improve on the existing RSN 2030, ensuring that the state’s long-term planning remains relevant and comprehensive. — PIC FROM PDRM PULAU PINANG’S FB December 9, 2025 GEORGE TOWN: Penang's State Structure Plan (RSN) 2040 is set to introduce significant policy changes, with the state...

Jetsetters: Tourists from China waiting to board their plane at Penang International Airport, in Bayan Lepas. 04 Dec 2025 GEORGE TOWN: With Chinese tourists shunning Japan and Thailand’s Hat Yai, Penang is poised for a year-end tourism bonanza. Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hong Wai said Indonesians and Singaporeans, along with Malaysians who normally prefer Hat Yai, are expected to...

Penang Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. - NSTP FILEPIC November 25, 2025 GEORGE TOWN: The Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass (Package 2) has reached 87 per cent overall physical completion, marking a significant milestone in one of Penang's most important infrastructure projects. State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said, as of Nov 22, three...

November 25, 2025 Polyplas Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-owned precision injection moulding manufacturer, has launched a new high-tech manufacturing facility in Penang, backed by RM74 million in total investment for the plant and advanced machinery. The expansion aims to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption and strengthen Malaysia’s position in innovation-driven manufacturing,...