Aspen Group inaugurated its latest project, called Versa, a two-tower residential development and nine commercial units, in Batu Kawan last Friday.

Strategically nestled in the freehold township of Batu Kawan, Versa promises residents unparalleled comfort, convenience, and a gratifying lifestyle.

Its effortless access to amenities such as IKEA Batu Kawan, Klippa Shopping Centre, major expressways, and industrial hubs, ensures a well-connected and enriching living experience.

Aspen Group president and chief executive officer Datuk M. Murly said the objective in realising the idea of this new project (Versa) is to ensure everyone is allowed to own a home without hefty price tags.

“Versa, being our ninth development here in Batu Kawan, showcases contemporary living spaces starting from RM370,000 onwards.

“These meticulously designed homes cater to the needs of various home-seekers, investors, professionals seeking a convenient and sophisticated lifestyle, as well as parents securing a haven for their children,” Murly said in his speech during the inauguration ceremony of Versa in Batu Kawan today.

Versa is a collaboration between Aspen and Ikano Retail within AVC, marking its distinction as the fourth residential development in this visionary urban landscape.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who graced the ceremony earlier, congratulated Aspen and Ikano Retail for their outstanding contribution to Batu Kawan’s landscape.

“The inauguration of Versa stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence, emblematic of the state’s commitment to elevating living standards and fostering viable communities.

“As we commemorate the achievements of today, let us recommit ourselves to the continued progress here in Batu Kawan.

“Let us strive to create an ecosystem where opportunities abound, where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a way of life, and where every individual plays a role in the greater good of our community,” Chow said.

Occupying over five acres of land, the project is part of the 247-acre Aspen Vision City.

The project is said to have two towers, Block A and B respectively. Units at both towers are sized at 703 sqft each.

According to a report published last year, it was learnt that the take-up rate at Block A has succeeded by more than 50 per cent.

Earlier, Aspen and iBilik inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see both the parties introduce a co-living experience at Vivo Executive Apartment and Versa, making a transformative leap in property management through a state-of-the-art tenancy management system.

Witnessing the signing were Chow and other state and Aspen representatives.

Also present during the ceremony were state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, Aspen Group chairman and executive director Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Penang government has called on PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) to implement the Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway project for the dispersal of the worsening traffic congestion in the area.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government had raised the matter with the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) of the Prime Minister’s Department in a meeting on Thursday.

He said that he was informed that UKAS had held discussions with PLUS regarding the proposed project because it saw a need to implement it.

“The project has been discussed for many years by various parties and every year the state government also submits an application and during the visit of UKAS director-general (Datuk Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar) yesterday, he informed them that they have received the issue in many meetings and the need to implement the project.

“Given that the traffic congestion is caused by the contra routes on the North-South Highway (Juru-Sungai Dua and vice versa) as well as between the Penang Bridge and Perai which lead to slow moving vehicles thus leading to severe congestion.

“The proposed construction of the elevated highway can separate the traffic flow of users on the highway as well as local users, we the state government hope that PLUS can implement it,” he told reporters here today.

Chow was met after attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the Versa condominium project in Batu Kawan developed by Aspen.

Commenting further, Chow said the traffic congestion not only affected the Perai and Seberang Jaya areas but also caused traffic problems on the Penang Bridge and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and the route from Bayan Lepas and George Town city centre.

He said the situation not only affects the people’s living environment, but also has a negative impact on the industry and investment sector because it can affect their operations here.

“It is not only affecting the industrial sector but also the people who commute to the other side and part of the island and vice versa, maybe PLUS can implement the project like in Jelapang, Perak which separates highway users and local users.

“UKAS informed us that they are discussing with PLUS and so far we are not sure how the project will be implemented and what the ‘design’ is, but the state government’s stance representing the stakeholders wants PLUS to implement the project because it is happening on the PLUS Highway and its impact is felt by the people of the island, it (the project) is very urgent,” he said.

Source: Bernama

The topping-out ceremony for the GEM Residences, a collaborative luxury apartment project between Belleview Group and LTC Group, took place on Thursday. The ceremony marks a significant step towards the expected handover of keys to homeowners within the next 6 to 8 months.

Penang Housing Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu expressed the state government’s commitment to supporting developers in implementing various projects aimed at constructing diverse housing types, including affordable and low-cost housing.

“With 37 years of experience in the development industry, having been a developer myself, I understand the challenges developers face. As a state legislative assembly member now, I am dedicated to assisting developers to ensure smooth project execution and create more employment opportunities,” he stated during his visit to the topping-out ceremony for Gem Residences.

Belleview Group managing director Datuk Sonny Ho Kiong Chan acknowledged the unprecedented challenges faced by various sectors, including the construction industry, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that the industry experienced a halt in construction activities during lockdowns over the past four years.

“At this critical juncture, we have managed to overcome these challenges, primarily due to the unwavering support of our business partners, contractors, bankers, consultants, appraisers, real estate agents, and the dedicated management and staff of Belleview Group and LTC Group. This collective support gives us the confidence to navigate through adversities,” Datuk Sonny Ho Kiong Chan remarked.

About Iconic Regency

A mixed development by Iconic Development Sdn. Bhd. at Sungai Nibong. Strategically located along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, next to SK Sungai Nibong. It is only 10 minutes walk to two future LRT Stations – Sungai Nibong & Pesta Stations. Featuring a 42-storey serviced suites with 268 fully furnished residential units.

Find out more about Iconic Regency

Water tariff rates for domestic users in Penang will double from Feb 1, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow announced on Wednesday.

Accounts that use zero to 20 cubic metres a month will be charged 50 sen per cubic metre, compared with 22 sen now.

Meanwhile, those who use 20 to 35 cubic metres a month will be charged RM1.10 per cubic metre and those using more than 35 cubic metres will need to pay RM2 per cubic metre, compared with the current rate of 46 sen and 68 sen, respectively.

This follows the National Water Services Commission’s (SPAN) announcement that water tariffs for domestic users in the peninsula and Labuan will be raised by an average of 22 sen per cubic metre.

Penang is the first state to announce new rates.

The Penang government has prepared two rebate schemes, one for B40 households comprising at least eight people, and another for hardcore poor households with a maximum household income of RM1,035 a month.

Executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said RM10 in monthly discounts would be provided to these households under both schemes.

Hardcore poor households will not have to apply for the rebate since their details are in the e-Kasih welfare system, but eligible B40 families may apply for the other scheme at the Penang Water Supply Corporation’s (PBAPP) offices.

Zairil said this was more targeted and that past rebate schemes could be accessed even by rich households comprising a minimum of eight people.

Meanwhile, Chow said maintaining the tariff rate for domestic users for the past 31 years had affected the PBAPP’s revenue.

He added that the water company’s revenue was crucial to ensure it could operate smoothly while building new water infrastructure and maintaining existing ones.

“We can’t expect to maintain the (previous) tariff rate forever. A stagnant tariff rate means we won’t have funds to carry out these projects,” added Chow.

While PBAPP expects to earn RM86 million in revenue a year with the higher tariffs, Chow said the corporation would still have to fork out about RM78 million in subsidies annually.

He maintained that it was the “most suitable and opportune” time to raise the tariffs, saying the four-day scheduled water cuts last week showed there was a need to upgrade existing infrastructure.

Source: FMT Online