CEO’S FOREWORD Managing Editor Twenty-one years ago, in 1997, Apple produced a Roshan Kaur Sandhu TV commercial that encouraged people to Think Writers Different. Steve Jobs, who voiced the commercial Reena Kaur Bhatt paid tribute to the ones who see things differently Mira Soyza because these round pegs in the square holes, as he refers to them, who think they can change the Editorial Coordinator world, often do. Nur Alia Ahamd Tamezi Prophetic words by a man ahead of his time, but Senior Graphic Designers coming back to present day, these game changing Wing Wong Jason Kwong moves are happening across the real estate Junior Graphic Designer industry in Malaysia too and its coming thick and Rechean Soong fast. CEO REA Group - Asia Late October last year, revisions to the Valuers, Henry Ruiz Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers CEO - Singapore & Malaysia Act of 1981 was passed in Parliament and gazetted REA Group - Asia on 2 January 2018. The Act, which is now known as Haresh Khoobchandani the Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers Act 1981 is expected General Manager (Marketing) to curb unscrupulous and illegal practices within the property sector. Wong Siew Lai General Manager (Agent Sales) The gazetting of the Act was widely seen as a watershed moment for the real estate Leon Kong industry in Malaysia. General Manager (Developer Sales) Sean Liew Change is taking place across the length and breadth of Malaysia, but none more General Manager (Data Services) prevalent than in Johor. In recent times, developments in Johor especially the Premendran Pathmanathan creation of the Iskandar region have changed the way cities are being built in Group Regional Finance Director Malaysia. - REA Asia Saviour Calleja Johor’s strategic location along the busy Tebrau Straits, proximity to Singapore and Head of iProperty TV other leading cities in Asia, coupled with its business-friendly policies, emergence of Jonathan Ong new industries and the growth of Iskandar Malaysia continue to accelerate and attract investments in Real Estate, Wellness, Education & Leisure. Head of Marketing & Content, iProperty.com Singapore The growth and transformation at Malaysia’s southernmost state under the visionary Leslie Lin leadership and royal patronage of HRH Sultan of Johor is for all to see; It happened because it embraced change and the state is now reaping the benefits of it. Changes bring new opportunities and it therefore comes as no surprise that the iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd (600850-K) Suite 11.01, Level 11 Menara IGB state’s economy, which grew 5.7% last year with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra RM104.4bil is third best in the country after resource-rich, Sarawak (GDP at RM108.7 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia billion) and chart-topper Selangor, which registered GDP of RM251.5 billion. Phone: (603) 2264 6888 Fax: (603) 2264 6900 Sales enquiries: [email protected] These game changers and game changing decisions aren’t just limited to Johor but Editorial matters: [email protected] throughout the country. These are exciting times for all of us here in Malaysia. We General enquiries: [email protected] are excited about the opportunities that change brings and what it promises for the Subscription: [email protected] International Property: [email protected] future. I can’t wait to unravel the next chapter of Malaysia’s journey towards realising its National Transformation Plan 2050. iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Johor) A-2-7, Pusat Komercial Bayu Tasek Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey Sincerely, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Phone: (607) 300 0013 iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Penang) Bay Avenue D-25-3, Lorong Bayan Indah 2 Bayan Lepas, 11900 Penang Phone: (604) 645 9899 Fax: (604) 611 1599 Disclaimer HARESH KHOOBCHANDANI Although every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither the publisher, editor nor CEO, Singapore & Malaysia their employees and agents can be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions, howsoever. We shall not be responsible for any loss or REA Group - Asia damage, whether direct or indirect, incidental or consequential arising from or in connection with the contents of this publication and shall not accept any liability in relation thereto. The views by our contributors expressed here are their personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect iProperty.com’s views. P/S: As we move to usher in a new year in the lunar calendar, I’d like to take this opportunity Unless otherwise noted, all artwork and ad designs printed in iProperty.com Magazine are the sole property of iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the to wish everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai and a prosperous Year of the Dog. prior written consent of the publisher. PB 1 Contents 1 CEO’S FOREWORD GAME CHANGERS YOUNG GUN 14 Game changers of the South 29 Small town boy living the Interior EVENT Design Dream 4 USG Boral Malaysia takes ceiling POINTS OF INTEREST solutions to the next level POINTS OF INTEREST 18 Public welcomes BRT system for Iskandar Malaysia 32 10 things you didn’t know about the MRT 6 HAPPENINGS 36 Need for speed: Are we fast iPROPERTYiQ.COM enough? COVER STORY 21 10 most expensive homes sold in 39 5 Fun facts about Johor Malaysia 10 Estuari Gardens: Embracing the 40 5 important features of a richness of nature in city living 24 Hottest residential projects and successful Transit-oriented townships in 2017 development (TOD) 10 21 29 32 Contents 83 82 84 INDUSTRY INSIGHT RESEARCH DATA 42 Why the archived “Inheritance tax” 76 Knight Frank: Global house price is not good for Malaysia growth weakens (Q3 2017) RESEARCH DATA AGENT’S VIEWS 47 Knight Frank’s 2017 round-up and 78 E Trend Realty: Disrupting the 2018 outlook realtor industry iPROPERTY DEVELOPMENT 80 AGENT SUPERSTARS EXCELLENCE AWARDS (IDEA) 2017: PEOPLE’S CONSUMER AWARENESS CHOICE AWARD 82 How to clean your stove top like a 54 Mah Sing Group Berhad pro 58 Tropicana Corporation Berhad 84 Quick hacks for folding fitted sheets INTERNATIONAL SECTION 86 10 who knew uses for aluminium foil 64 INTERNATIONAL NEWS 66 SINGAPORE NEWS 90 CLASSIFIEDS 70 INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS FAQs on the use of Central Provident Fund (CPF) for home purchase REGULARS 74 Is it possible to apply Feng Shui to apartments & condominiums? USG BORAL MALAYSIA takes ceiling solutions to the next level Four versatile products are set to revolutionise ceiling systems in Malaysia with innovative and unique features to fuel modern living and working conditions. Recognising the need for versatile ClimaplusTM panels, DONN® DXM Grid of guests comprising members of construction products in Malaysia’s system, and DONN® DXT Grid system. the architects fraternity, developers, rapidly developing environment, The launch which was held on 22 distributors, as well as representatives specialty ceiling systems innovator November 2017 at the premises of from government agencies. USG Boral Malaysia recently introduced Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (Malaysia At the launch, Daron Cheah, 4 new ceiling products, namely MarsTM Institute of Architects) witnessed Managing Director of USG Boral ClimaPlusTM panels, OlympusTM MaxTM excellent response, with the majority Malaysia said, “We have been making good progress in Malaysia due to our commitment to deliver innovative products that enable our customers to work smarter and build better.” “The best innovations start with a focus on what is needed and how they will benefit the industry as a whole. This new range of ceiling systems is proof of our innovation, showcasing our focus on manufacturing products that improve the quality of living of the Malaysian community,” he added. USG Boral’s MarsTM ClimaPlusTM is a revolutionary ceiling tile that offers enhanced washable features and is 1 scratch-resistant with improved impact resistance compared to conventional 4 5 EVENTS 3 2 4 5 1 The USG Boral team. range enables convenient and faster energy conservation with its higher 2 Indepth info about the innovative tiles. 3&4 The attendees were eager to learn all installation requiring up to 40% less light reflectance properties, and about the new products. insertion force. The grid also presents reduces load on air-conditioning as 5 Product presentation by Leanne Tan. cross tees that are easily removable lesser volume of air is required to cool without tools, improved system the room. The launch also features an tightness to prevent grid drop during interactive mobile-quiz session to raise installation, thus contributing towards awareness and increase the knowledge a safer working environment. The DXT of attendees on these new ceiling Grid system range of tiles features a systems. refined 14mm narrow face to create a Guests also witnessed a ceiling tiles. The tiles which can be monolithic ceiling plane while the DXM demonstration on the ease of installing scrubbed clean were designed to Grid System range has a slim 14mm and dismantling the DONN® grids used provide better acoustic transmission face with 3mm Omega-shaped reveal for the new ceiling systems. Guests as it reduces noise up to NRC 0.70 – that softens the effect of the grid lines. were invited to participate in a contest an ideal option for offices, hospitals, USG Boral Malaysia’s new and unique to install and dismantle the DONN® classrooms, dining rooms and food range of ceiling systems presents the grid. Prizes were given out to winners preparation areas. ultimate solution for concealment of who were able to complete the task The newly introduced OlympusTM unsightly ceiling protrusions, enhances in the shortest time. This contest was MaxTM ClimaplusTM panels is also design and ceiling contours as well as successful in highlighting the ease of another variation of USG Boral’s suite contributes towards better dimensions application and usage of the DONN® of ceiling tiles which offers cleanable and mood in the building.