Malaysia Property Trend

What is lacking is a well-defined and feasible community governance model that will carry us through to a first-world Malaysia. Our social circumstances and community fabrics have changed over the decades. From our independence days, the “kampung” and the “Rukun Tetangga” have been serving us based largely on a voluntary and collective self-help model. Then, as strata communities sprout up around urban hubs, the Strata Title Act 1985, and Strata Management Act 2013 (SMA) were

Malaysia’s industrial property market has moved beyond the “land + brochure” era. Outperforming assets are no longer just well-priced plots inside a boundary line; they are locations that behave like reliable operating platforms. End-users are looking for uptime, dependable utilities, predictable travel times, a reliable workforce, and approvals that do not derail global rollout schedules. The change is visible in how serious operators screen sites. The questions are consiste

Volume and value of property transactions, 1990–2025 The Malaysian property market has historically functioned as a key pillar of national economic development, moving through distinct cycles of expansion and correction. Current market outlook: Early uprising As of 2025, the market has entered a phase of mature stabilisation. This follows a decade-high transaction value of RM241.87 billion, even as transaction volume registered a marginal 1% decline to 416,413 units. At a su

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming delivering his keynote address at Downing College, University of Cambridge, in the UK on Tuesday. (Photo by Chin Wai Lun/The Edge) LONDON (March 26): Malaysia is not immune to rising housing affordability pressures despite its relatively high homeownership rate, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said, as the government shifts towards more targeted and data-driven housing reforms. Speaking at Downing College,

GEORGE TOWN (April 2): The Penang state executive council has agreed to a revised mechanism for determining the annual quit rent rates aimed at reducing the financial burden on landowners. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured) said all land classified under industrial and commercial use on first grade land, particularly those without planning approval, will be reclassified as building use. Under the new structure, quit rent rates will follow the “building (others)” category

Supported by major roads and LRT connectivity, Setapak has evolved into a densely populated neighbourhood featuring a mix of established and recently developed residential and commercial properties. Setapak, a northeastern suburb of Kuala Lumpur, has long been regarded as a popular residential enclave due to its established amenities, accessibility and proximity to the city centre, factors that continue to underpin demand for high-rise housing. Transaction volumes reflect thi

Participants in YPLab 2023, a youth-led initiative analysed sites in the city for placemaking and walkability. (Malaysian Institute of Planners) Over the past decade, Malaysia’s urban transport strategy has moved decisively towards expanding transit connectivity across the Klang Valley. MRT lines, LRT extensions, and commuter transit upgrades have collectively reshaped how residents move around the region. With each new station announcement, the assumption often follows: home

Aerial view of Cheras showing highways, apartments, and commercial blocks (AI-generated image) from Edgeprop.my Cheras offers a strong balance of urban convenience, relative affordability, and community appeal for its denizens. As one of Kuala Lumpur’s most established and well-connected suburbs, Cheras continues to attract attention for its accessibility, wide range of amenities, and lifestyle diversity. Whether you’re a buyer, investor, or tenant, the Cheras area offers a b

(Photo taken from Facebook of KPKT Malaysia) PETALING JAYA (March 19): Malaysia’s property sector recorded transaction values of RM241.87 billion in 2025, a decade high, reflecting continued market activity and underlying demand across segments, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pictured) yesterday. The total value marked a 4.1% increase from 2024, with 416,413 transactions recorded, according to the 2025 Property Market Report. “The property sector is

Aerial view of Johor Bahru KUALA LUMPUR (March 18): The launch of the master plan and blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), scheduled for March 30 in Johor Bahru, has been postponed until a date to be announced. The Economy Ministry said in a statement that this was the decision of a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, on Tuesday. On March 12, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Na

KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): Malaysia has stopped giving preferential rates for the withholding tax on dividends from real estate investment trusts (REITs) or property trust funds (PTFs), a government notice showed. The previous concessionary rate of 10% for most non-corporate investors has ceased to apply beginning 2026, according to the Inland Revenue Board Practice Note 2/2026. Malaysians will be taxed based on prevailing individual rates with no withholding tax deduction. “In

Common wellness areas at Temasya Glenmarie provide versatile outdoor spaces for families overlooking the surrounding Shah Alam skyline. Despite changing lifestyles, one housing preference among young Malaysian families appears remarkably consistent: the aspiration to live in modern, well-designed communities. EdgeProp analysed a segment of household demographics and income trends in Klang Valley’s emerging growth corridors and the population data suggests that demand is not d

GOMBAK (March 17): The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has reached 92.62% completion as of February 2026, in line with the schedule to complete the Kota Bharu-Gombak alignment by the end of this year and begin commercial operations in January 2027. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the ECRL alignment from Gombak to Port Klang in Selangor will be completed by December 2027 and will become fully operational in January 2028. He said that the commercial o

From left: Rehda's immediate past president Datuk NK Tong, president Datuk Ho Hon Sang and deputy secretary general Carrie Fong Kah Wai at Friday's briefing. (Photo by Zahid Izzani/The Edge) KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) said over two-thirds of prospective homebuyers in Malaysia fail to obtain financing for property purchases, mainly due to high debt obligations and inadequate income levels. A survey by the property agenc

Aerial view of Johor Bahru PUTRAJAYA (March 12): The Ministry of Economy is finalising the master plan and investment blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is expected to be launched on March 30 in Johor Bahru. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the action plan will serve as a public reference, and the more detailed master plan will guide all implementing parties in developing the special economic zone. “At the Ministry of Econo

Bird’s-eye view of Setia Alam with shops, condos, and lush greenery in a planned township setting (Image from Pexels/KE PHUAH 潘国荣) Living in Shah Alam: A practical guide to homes, lifestyle, connectivity Living in Shah Alam means more than just finding a place to stay. It is about choosing a lifestyle. As the capital of Selangor, Shah Alam has grown into one of Malaysia’s most desirable suburbs, offering a balanced mix of affordability, connectivity, and quality of life. Know

(From left) Meinhardt EPCM manager of environmental sustainability design Yap Yun Loy, GreenRE management committee and Rehda Johor deputy president Lindy Tan, state assemblyman for Kota Iskandar Datuk Pandak Ahmad and Computility Technology Sdn Bhd director Yeo Yong Hwang KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): Malaysia has reached a milestone in sustainable digital infrastructure with the country’s first hyperscale data centre receiving provisional GreenRE Platinum certification for water

KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): Construction of the diversion alignment for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project into the operational area of Kuantan Port is expected to be completed by the end of this year, the Dewan Negara was told on Wednesday. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the implementation of the alignment is expected to strengthen the national land logistics network, particularly on the East Coast. “This step will also increase cargo handling capaci

Invest Penang CEO Datuk Loo Lee Lian 1. Penang’s E&E sector continues to dominate Malaysia’s FDI. Do you have statistics of the category, and what percentage of total manufacturing investment in 2024–2025 came from semiconductors? How is that concentration risk being managed? According to Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), in 2024, Penang’s E&E sector accounted for 45% (RM7.8 billion) of total approved manufacturing investments, and in 1H2025, it rose to 53% (

GEORGE TOWN (March 10): Penang is currently focusing on the issue of land acquisition and resettlement of affected residents following the implementation of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured) said that currently, work related to the project is being carried out in full swing according to the set schedule with the state government responsible for resolving matters related to land acquisition and resettlement of affected r