MONEY MASTER

Malaysia’s  Forest City  was conceived as a futuristic metropolis, but the US$100 billion development has spent much of the past decade struggling with weak occupancy, sluggish property sales and questions over what could ultimately bring the city to life. Now, an unexpected answer may be emerging:  technology rather than property . Malaysian crypto entrepreneur  Jeff Yew , the former head of Binance Australia and current chief executive of Monochrome Asset Management, is considering establishing a technology campus at Forest City. The proposed project could focus on artificial intelligence, blockchain and computer science, while combining international talent with the development of Malaysian entrepreneurs. The plans remain preliminary, but they raise a bigger question for investors:  Could Forest City become part of Malaysia’s push to build a higher-value digital economy? From Property Megaproject to Technology Hub? Forest City’s challenge has never simply bee...

Malaysia’s property market is seeing a strong resurgence, with  RM78.2 billion in real estate investments recorded in 2025 , but the deeper story lies in  who is driving the capital flows . Private Capital Leads the New Investment Cycle The surge is underpinned by an  86.7% increase in private equity and venture capital , signalling a clear shift: "Long-term capital including family offices and ultra-wealthy investors is returning to real estate." Globally, private capital has already overtaken institutional investors in commercial real estate for four consecutive years, and Malaysia is increasingly part of this trend. Malaysia Attracting Regional and Cross-Border Wealth The inflows are particularly visible in: Johor , supported by policy initiatives like the Single Family Office (SFO) framework Premium commercial assets , including landmark developments such as TRX Rising participation from  family offices and cross-border investors This suggests Malaysia is evolvin...

Quick Summary 4QFY2025 net profit surged 50% to RM192.8m Boosted by  RM169.2m revaluation surplus Revenue fell 25.6% due to slower progress billings Final dividend maintained at  10 sen per share Profit Boosted by Revaluation Gains Property developer  UOA Development Bhd  posted a sharp rise in fourth-quarter earnings, mainly driven by higher fair value gains on its investment properties. For  4QFY2025 : Net profit:  RM192.76 million ( +50.3% YoY ) Revenue:  RM174.72 million ( -25.6% YoY ) The earnings surge was supported by a  RM169.2 million revaluation surplus , significantly higher than RM44.24 million recorded a year ago. Key point:  Profit growth was valuation-driven rather than operational. Operational Performance Revenue contribution came from progressive billings of: Bamboo Hills Residences Bangsar South medical centre Aster Hill Duo Tower Gross margin remained resilient at  35.48%  (vs 37.38% previously), indicating stable...

A Malaysian real estate investor and property agent who isn’t just  talking  about investing — he’s done it  seven times  in Johor Bahru (JB), with no plans to slow down. Here’s how he’s building his empire — and why JB remains his go-to: 9 How It Started: A Quick Jump into Property   First Buy : A move-in-ready townhouse in KL  Decided in 15 minutes — no research, just gut.   Hard Lesson : The bank valuation came in lower.  Had to fork out a bigger down payment than expected.   Takeaway : “Always check valuation and do your homework.” Why I Stick to Johor Bahru   Local Control : “I invest where I can  see and manage  my properties.”   Growth Catalyst : The RTS link is a game-changer.   JB Advantage : Affordable prices vs KL/Singapore Proximity to SG = strong cross-border rental demand Still early in the growth cycle  My Property Strategy Now   Focus on Value : Great location (easy to sell later) Airbnb-frie...

Malaysia’s Housing and Local Government Ministry is exploring a  pay-per-use model  for facilities in future affordable housing projects. Residents would use access cards and only pay for amenities like gyms, swimming pools, and playgrounds when they use them. At first glance, the idea sounds fair — why pay for facilities you never touch? But implementing it is not as simple as it seems. The Practical Hurdles Community Impact:  Affordable housing isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about building cohesive communities. When every facility becomes a paid service, it risks creating divisions between residents with different financial means or lifestyle needs. Design & Maintenance:  Facilities in most high-rises are spread across the property. A pay-per-use model works best when grouped in a single clubhouse, but that raises questions: Should users pay a flat entry fee even if they only use the gym for 30 minutes? Upkeep Costs:  Regardless of usage, maintenanc...

Financial Highlights 4QFY2024 net profit surged 26% YoY to RM335.47 million , driven by  strong contributions from construction, property development, and trading & manufacturing divisions . Quarterly revenue jumped 53% YoY to RM2.85 billion , up from RM1.87 billion in 4QFY2023. Earnings per share (EPS) rose to 5.03 sen, from 4.39 sen previously . Declared a second interim dividend of four sen per share , bringing the total FY2024 dividend to  six sen per share . Record-Breaking Full-Year Performance FY2024 net profit grew 56% YoY to RM1.15 billion , the  highest in three years . Annual revenue hit an all-time high of RM7.88 billion , marking a  28% increase from RM6.14 billion in FY2023 . Segment Performance (4QFY2024) 1. Property Development Revenue soared 63.4% YoY to RM809.6 million , driven by  higher sales and progress billings from local projects . Profit before tax (PBT) more than doubled to RM162.5 million  from RM69 million a year earlier. 2. ...

The Selangor government plans to build 60,000 affordable housing units under the Rumah Idaman initiative by 2027, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. He stated that the construction momentum is progressing well, with 40,000 units currently awaiting planning and building permissions, and 10,000 units already under construction. Amirudin shared these updates during the Rumah Idaman , Putra Idaman , and Saujana Idaman groundbreaking ceremony. The Rumah Idaman initiative is designed to meet the increasing demand for affordable homes, particularly for Malaysians in the bottom 40% (B40) and middle 40% (M40) income groups, catering primarily to first-home buyers and small families. The Putra Idaman project, a collaboration between Oriental Interest Bhd (OIB) and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) , will feature 502 semi-furnished units across two apartment blocks, each priced at RM250,000 . Completion is expected in 2028 , with units designed to be spacious a...

The Johor state government is finalising a local transport network designed to complement the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link , said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during the Invest Malaysia conference on Thursday. This network will connect key landing points in Johor Bahru to various developments within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone . In addition to the RTS Link, the state is moving forward with several major infrastructure projects, including expansions to the Senai-Desaru Expressway and North-South Expressway , to support Johor's growing economy. Johor's economy grew 4.1% in 2023, outpacing the national average of 3.6% , according to Onn Hafiz. The RTS Link , expected to be operational by 2026 , is set to enhance cross-border connectivity between Johor and Singapore, reducing travel time and promoting economic integration. Onn Hafiz also mentioned progress on soft connectivity measures, such as a passport-free QR c...

  RHB Research has reiterated its "overweight" rating on the Malaysian property sector , anticipating significant capital inflows and increased buying interest as global interest rates begin to decline. Institutional investors, property buyers, and developers are expected to ramp up capital deployment, supported by the US Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts , which signal the start of a more accommodative monetary environment. The US Fed reduced interest rates by half a percentage point this week, marking an aggressive move to ease monetary conditions. RHB predicts Malaysia, particularly in high-growth areas , will remain an attractive market for both local and foreign property investors. The stabilizing ringgit and favorable interest rates further enhance Malaysia's position as a prime destination, especially for data centre (DC) investments and real estate transactions. "Malaysia's strategic location as a hub for data centre investments should contin...