Looking to buy into a stratified property on the secondary market? Besides the usual questions such as the cost of maintenance and facilities, Chur Associates founder and managing partner Chris Tan added another crucial aspect that could help a prospective buyer decide whether the property is a good investment - the project's Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes.

AGM minutes can tell a prospective buyer a lot about a stratified property

The Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) expects the property market to be adversely affected by the current challenges being faced by the country particularly the ongoing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and the political crisis which has seen the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government and the resignation of the prime minister.

Property market recovery scuttled

The residential property market in Malaysia is expected to make a comeback in 2020, evident from the higher number of launches in the second half of 2019 (2H2019), said Knight Frank Malaysia managing director Sarkunan Subramaniam in a press statement in conjunction with the launch of the real estate consultancy’s Real Estate Highlights 2H2019 today.

Knight Frank: Residential market to make slow comeback in 2020

The revival of notable mega infrastructure projects in 2019, namely the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the Bandar Malaysia project in Kuala Lumpur that will house one of the stations of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR); and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) will continue to improve market sentiments and restore investors’ confidence, according to Knight Frank Malaysia in its Real Estate Highlights for 2H2019 released today.

Knight Frank: Logistics sub-sector to see uptick in 2020

Agricultural land value is expected to grow in 2020, thanks to the ongoing "durian delirium'', says Savills Malaysia managing director Paul Khong.

According to Khong, agricultural land value in the country barely rose by 10% since 2014 while the industry is strong and palm oil prices are approaching record highs

Savills: Durians to drive agricultural land values in 2020

Malaysia-based integrated hospitality owner and developer Cornerstone Partners Group is developing its maiden property project in Melbourne, Australia.

In a press release yesterday, the group said the 30-storey tower with hotel and office components has an estimated gross development value of RM420 million. The project will see the first YOTEL hotel in Melbourne which will be located on City Road in Southbank within walking distance from the Crown Melbourne, Southbank Promenade, Arts Precinct, Federation Square, as well as surrounded by other world-class entertainment outlets, amenities and education institutions.

Cornerstone Partners in maiden Melbourne development venture

(July 10): New homes at SP Setia Bhd’s two latest projects, Setia Safiro and Setia Mayuri, have been sold out during their launches last weekend.

Phase 1A of Setia Safiro, called Rosario comprising 97 freehold double-storey link houses is located five kilometres from another SP Setia township, Setia Eco Glades in Cyberjaya.

Inspired by Barcelona’s widely-adapted modern integrated grid plan, Setia Safiro was designed to ensure seamless living between man, nature, and transportation.

Setia Safiro Phase 1A and Setia Mayuri Phase 1 semidees sold out

Malaysia is among the top 10 countries in the Asia Pacific region to receive cross-border capital from foreign investors, said global property consultancy firm Knight Frank in a press release today on its latest Active Capital report.

Malaysia among top 10 recipients of cross-border capital in Asia Pacific

The DATUM:KL 2019 is back for its 17th installation this July and is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants.

DATUM:KL is the Malaysian Institute of Architects’ (PAM) annual international architectural design conference which acts as a platform for discourse and showcase of exemplary architectural works from all over the world.

DATUM:KL 2019 to attract more than 2,000 participants

S P Setia is confident of achieving the RM5.65 billion sales target for FY2019 despite registering lower property sales in 1Q2019 of RM718 million, down 35% y-o-y.

This is largely due to the upcoming RM6.4 billion worth of property launches from now until the end of the year as only RM339 million worth of projects was launched in 1Q2019 as well as the bookings the developer has received from potential homebuyers.

S P Setia on track to achieve RM5.65b sales target for FY2019

The Trump administration is proposing an overhaul of the US State Department that would eliminate more than 100 offices including some working on war crimes and rights advocacy to ensure Washington's premier diplomatic agency is in line with President Donald Trump's "America First" priorities.

Trump administration proposes shake-up of US State Department

A slew of mergers and acquisitions among finance-related firms is defying the global slump in dealmaking amid market turmoil triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war.

US$50 bil finance deals defy global M&A gloom

Alphabet Inc pays Samsung Electronics Co an “enormous sum of money” every month to pre-install Google generative AI app, Gemini, on its phones and devices, according to court testimony, even though the company’s practice of paying for installations has twice been found to violate the law.

Google paid Samsung ‘enormous sums’ for Gemini AI app installs

The treasurers of eight US states have written an open letter to Tesla Inc’s board of directors questioning the direction of the company and the level of attention Elon Musk is paying to its mounting challenges.

Tesla board gets an earful from state treasurers over Musk’s focus

United States (US) tech giants Intel and Oracle have raised concerns about the impact of the United States’ (US) tariffs on their operations in Malaysia, said Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Intel, Oracle raise concerns over US tariffs with PM — Zafrul 

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will boost defence spending to 2% of economic output in 2025, or four years earlier than previously planned, as Nato nations come under growing US pressure to invest more in their security.

Spain plans to hike defense spending to 2% of GDP this year

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

MGB, Scanwolf, DPS Resources, Petronas Chemicals, Alpha IVF, Pentamaster, Southern Steel

Northrop Grumman Corp reported first-quarter profit that missed analysts’ expectations and cut its earnings forecast for the year as costs mounted for its next-generation B-21 stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman cuts earnings outlook on B-21 Bomber costs

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in Malaysia owned by China-based players could face the risk of being phased out due to the latest US-imposed duties on solar imports from the country, an industry group representing the sector said.

New US tariffs on solar imports threaten to phase out Chinese solar panel makers in Malaysia

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ruled out an imminent cabinet shakeup amid reports of a growing rift between her ruling party and its biggest coalition partner.

Thai PM rules out cabinet shakeup amid signs of coalition rift

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) plans to nab&nbsp;another ‘Tan Sri’ for questioning&nbsp;in connection with the MBI ponzi scheme, following a second round of arrests from April 18 to 21 and the seizure of RM347 million in assets, according to sources.

Police to nab third ‘Tan Sri’ for questioning, following fresh arrests and RM347m seizure in MBI case — sources

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in Malaysia owned by China-based players could face the risk of being phased out due to the latest US-imposed duties on solar imports from the country, an industry group representing the sector said.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL: PCHEM), or PCG, announced on Tuesday that its Pengerang Petrochemicals Complex in Johor — the group’s largest growth project under its olefins and derivatives segment in partnership with Saudi Aramco — commenced commercial operations in November 2024

Petronas Chemicals says commercial ops at Pengerang site commenced in November 2024

Norges Bank, which manages Norway’s government pension fund, has emerged as a substantial shareholder in automated test equipment (ATE) maker Pentamaster Corp Bhd (KL:PENTA) with a 5.26% stake.

Norges Bank emerges as substantial shareholder of Pentamaster

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is studying a more structured mechanism regarding port charges to ensure the sustainability of the country's ports as well as a balance between market needs and capacity development.

Transport Ministry floats plan for phased 30% increase in port tariff

Wong &amp; Partners, the legal firm which had advised 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), did not play a role in the controversial transfer of the US$1 billion meant for a joint venture with PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI), but which was then misappropriated, the court heard on Tuesday.

1MDB legal adviser Wong & Partners played no role in controversial US$1b remittance, court told

The dragon carving souvenir recently presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping was a personal gift and not an official government representation, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said.&nbsp;

Loke: Dragon souvenir for Xi a personal gift, should not be blown out of proportion

The treasurers of eight US states have written an open letter to Tesla Inc’s board of directors questioning the direction of the company and the level of attention Elon Musk is paying to its mounting challenges.

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

United States (US) tech giants Intel and Oracle have raised concerns about the impact of the United States’ (US) tariffs on their operations in Malaysia, said Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

DESPITE volatile market conditions, telecommunications infrastructure provider Reach Ten Holdings Bhd is pushing ahead with its initial public offering in May — the first Main Market IPO of a Sarawak-based company in 15 years.

Managing director Leo Chin Yu Lay says the primary objective...

Reach Ten defies volatile market in Sarawak’s first Main Market IPO in 15 years

Wall Street's main indexes recovered some ground on Tuesday as investors focused on corporate earnings after President Donald Trump's mounting criticism of Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell led to a sharp sell-off in the previous session.

Wall Street bounces back after sell-off as investors focus on earnings

After Singapore-based steel firm Green Esteel Pte Ltd’s emergence as the controlling shareholder of Southern Steel Bhd (KL:SSTEEL) earlier this year, the Malaysian group is now offloading a 55% stake in its steel wire mesh-making unit to Singapore-listed BRC Asia Ltd for RM61.05 million in cash.

Southern Steel to sell 55% stake in steel wire mesh unit to Singapore-listed BRC Asia

To break into the cryptocurrency mining industry, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr are teaming up with executives who previously founded a miner with the backing of investors implicated in an illegal penny-stock pump-and-dump operation.

Trump sons’ bitcoin mining partners had run-ins with regulators

MGB Bhd proposes to settle RM7.23 million with joint venture partner Aset AZG Sdn Bhd (AASB) to kick start a serviced apartment project in Cameron Highlands which has been on the back burner for six years.

MGB settles RM7.23m with JV partner to revive Cameron Highlands project after six years

Meta Platforms Inc, TikTok and Snap Inc questioned the integrity of Australia’s looming social media ban for under-16s after it emerged that Communications Minister Michelle Rowland made a personal pledge to YouTube’s boss to exempt the platform before a consultation process on the carveout had begun.

Meta, TikTok pan Australia ban as YouTube gets personal pass

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Tuesday.

FBM KLCI slips 0.88% to 1,486.25 on April 22, 2025 

US President Donald Trump met with major retailers, including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and Target, on Monday to discuss broad-based tariffs likely to raise the cost of everyday goods that they import.

Trump meets with US retailers to discuss tariffs

West River Bhd, slated for listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on May 5, saw 0.26 times oversubscription for the public portion of its new shares in its initial public offering.

West River’s IPO oversubscribed by 0.26 times

With profit margins close to record levels, Corporate America has some room to absorb costs from higher tariffs. How much it decides to cushion the blow will determine how high inflation goes in 2025.

Natalie Khoo

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