Master Community Developer Sunway Property has officially launched Serene Villas, the latest addition to the thriving Sunway Wellesley master-planned community.

The GreenRE-certified townhome development combines sustainable designs with exclusive clubhouse facilities, thoughtfully crafted for multigenerational living in Bukit Mertajam, one of Penang’s most sought-after areas. The launch also marked the grand opening of its newly unveiled show units.

Spanning 9.03 acres with a gross development value (GDV) of RM 150 million, Serene Villas introduces 210 thoughtfully designed townhomes that seamlessly blend modern architecture with sustainable living in an exceptional landed living experience. As part of the 86-acre Sunway Wellesley master-planned community—with a total GDV of RM 1 billion—the launch builds on the sell-out success of earlier phases, including Sunway Wellesley’s Precincts 1 and 2, Uptown 2 (62 shop office units), and Garden Villas (60 semi-detached homes and 154 townhouses).

“Serene Villas reflects our vision as a Master Community Developer to create sustainable, vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life,” said Chong Sau Min, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Property (Central and Northern Regions). “With GreenRE certification, energy-efficient designs, and thoughtfully planned amenities, Serene Villas offers families and individuals a safe, connected, and sustainable living environment. Its strategic location and value-added facilities make it a compelling choice for homeowners and investors alike, promising strong potential for capital appreciation in this thriving area.”

Guided by Sunway Property’s proprietary Sunway Design & Development Architecture (SDDA), Serene Villas embodies the four core pillars of Sustainability, Innovation, Health & Wellness, and Lifestyle & New Experiences.

GreenRE certification provides homeowners numerous benefits, including lower energy and water bills, improved indoor air quality through natural lighting and ventilation, and a reduced carbon footprint—contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Designed for durability, these homes also offer maximum comfort and long-term energy savings.

At the heart of the development is a thoughtfully designed clubhouse featuring a swimming pool and an elevated gym with views of the pool, creating a refreshing and enjoyable experience for residents. The clubhouse is surrounded by lush outdoor spaces, including linear gardens, a gathering plaza, green pavilions, soothing gardens, jogging trails, outdoor fitness zones, and a multi-purpose court for basketball and pickleball—offering the perfect balance of fitness, relaxation, and community engagement.

The innovatively designed 1.5-storey townhomes are crafted to support multigenerational living, featuring flexible layouts that cater to families or close friends who value proximity and privacy. Each home is equipped with EV charger-ready infrastructure and parking for up to four vehicles.
The overall Serene Villas development prioritizes safety and modern living with comprehensive security features, including 7-foot perimeter fencing, CCTV surveillance, and 40-foot-wide internal roads with pedestrian walkways. Additionally, the development is equipped with broadband-ready infrastructure, concealed drainage systems, and underground cabling, delivering a clean and streamlined aesthetic throughout the community.

Strategically located in Bukit Mertajam, Serene Villas offers seamless connectivity to key transportation networks, including the proposed Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam LRT line, ETS Train Station, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, and Penang Bridge. With Bukit Mertajam Town Centre just 0.5 km away and Bandar Sunway Seberang Jaya 9.5 km away, the development is ideally positioned for professionals and families seeking unparalleled convenience and accessibility.

Residents of Serene Villas enjoy proximity to a wide range of amenities, including vibrant retail hubs such as Sunway Carnival Mall and top-tier healthcare facilities like Sunway Medical Centre Penang. The area is also home to renowned educational institutions such as Jit Sin Independent High School, SMK Convent, and KPJ International College of Nursing & Health Sciences, catering to the needs of families. For recreation, residents can explore nearby attractions like DO Hill Recreational Park and the SPT Sports and Recreational Complex, offering diverse options for leisure and fitness.

Additionally, Sunway Wellesley’s Serene Villas buyers will automatically be enrolled in Sunway Property’s exclusive aftersales program, Sunway Property+. This offers benefits such as Rent+ (rental advantages), Care+ (home maintenance services), and Rewards+ (special invites and discounts).

The Sunway Wellesley development continues to evolve with more exciting projects on the horizon. Following the launch of Serene Villas, Sunway Property is set to introduce an upcoming high-rise development in 2025, further expanding the masterplan’s offerings and reinforcing its position as a vibrant, sustainable hub for generations to come.

To experience the modern elegance of Serene Villas, prospective buyers are invited to visit the newly launched show units, open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. (More about Serene Villas)

The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has announced a 14-hour scheduled water disruption affecting 7,238 residential and commercial premises in Seberang Perai Selatan. The interruption will begin at 10pm today and is expected to end by noon on Wednesday.

This is due to the temporary shutdown of a 600mm pipeline to facilitate diversion works at Sungai Kerian, as part of a bridge upgrading project by the Public Works Department (JKR).

Affected areas include Jalan Besar Dato Keramat, Jalan Besar Permatang Keling, Jalan Sempadan, Permatang Tok Mahat, Tanjung Berembang, Sungai Acheh, Sungai Udang, Sungai Chenaam, and Sungai Bakau.

PBAPP has urged consumers to store adequate water during this period and will provide updates via its official Facebook page. The corporation apologises for the inconvenience caused and appreciates public cooperation.

Maris marks the first high-rise coastal development on Andaman Island, situated along Gurney Green and offering picturesque views of the lively Gurney Drive. This 49-storey residential project introduces a marina-inspired lifestyle, blending modern living with a unique coastal ambiance. With excellent connectivity linking Andaman Island to Seri Tanjung Pinang and Gurney Drive, residents enjoy seamless access to Georgetown, placing essential amenities and services within a convenient 5-minute drive.

The development comprises 516 fully furnished residential units, available in five distinct layout designs. Built-up sizes range from 979 sq.ft., featuring 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, to 1,356 sq.ft., offering 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Prices start at RM950,000, catering to a variety of preferences and lifestyles.

Project Name : Maris
Location : Andaman Island
Property Type : Serviced apartment
Tenure : Freehold
Built-up Size: 979 sq.ft. – 1,356 sq.ft.
Total Units : 516
Indicative Price: RM950,000 onwards
Developer : E&O Berhad

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

About Orange Hartamas

Located in Kubang Semang, this mixed development by Tahwah Group is just a 10-minute drive from Bukit Mertajam and 15 minutes from Kulim Hi-Tech Park. Several public schools, including SJKC Kubang Semang, Sri Penanti Primary School, SMK Penanti, and SMK Mengkuang, are within easy reach. The development features 61 units of 2-storey terrace houses, 12 units of 2-storey semi-detached houses, and 27 units of 2-storey shop offices

Find out more about Orange Hartamas

A transport consultant has questioned whether the upcoming LRT project in Penang is robust enough to withstand political shifts given the country’s track record with rail projects in the past.

Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, the founder of transport think tank My Mobility Vision, said that while the government is often bound by legal obligations in awarded contracts, history has shown a tendency to take such commitments lightly.

“Malaysia’s track record with infrastructure projects shows that legal commitments alone are not always enough to guarantee continuity,” he told FMT, pointing to the High-Speed Rail (HSR) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as examples of projects that were either shelved or renegotiated after binding contracts were sealed.

The HSR, which was expected to cut down travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to just 90 minutes, was cancelled when Perikatan Nasional came to power in 2020.

Two years earlier, the Pakatan Harapan government halted the ECRL project after it took office following the 2018 general election despite construction having commenced the previous year. Work resumed in 2019, with the cost subsequently reduced by RM11 billion following multiple contract renegotiations.

Similarly, Wan Agyl said the suggestion that a project was safe if it was in an advanced stage of development was debatable, pointing out that infrastructure projects like the MRT3 and HSR had achieved significant progress when they were brought to a halt.

“The key issue here isn’t how far along the project is but whether the process so far has been handled efficiently and transparently. Without strong governance, even advanced projects can face setbacks if priorities change.”

Wan Agyl was commenting on an assurance given by economy minister Rafizi Ramli that the upcoming Penang LRT project is unlikely to be cancelled even if a new government comes into power.

Rafizi said the project is moving towards the stage where contracts will be awarded, making it too costly to scrap.

Wan Agyl said that while political stability would ensure a project’s continuity, Malaysia’s political landscape has become “unpredictable”. He said frequent changes to the ruling coalition and leadership in recent years has impacted a number of major projects.

“Does the Penang LRT have bipartisan support to protect it from future political interference? Without this, even the most promising projects can become targets for political opposition.”

Wan Agyl called for a critical examination of the potential consequences of cancelling the LRT project in Penang.

Beyond job losses and reduced investor confidence, the impact on urban development and environmental goals could be significant, he said, adding that Penang’s sustainability efforts may falter.

“These are real risks that need to be addressed with data and transparency rather than assumptions.”

However, Consilz Tan, a fellow with think tank Center for Market Education, believes the Penang LRT project is better insulated due to the fact that it is within the state government’s control.

Tan said a new government would be unlikely to shelve the project due to the costs involved. It was previously reported that the project would cost over RM10.5 billion.

“I hope political sentiments won’t lead to the project being called off,” she said, adding that infrastructure and transportation were important in raising living standards and attracting investments.

Source: Free Malaysia Today