IGBC 2025: Malaysia to Host ASEAN’s Premier Green Building Conference Amid UN-Habitat Leadership Role Malaysia is set to host the International Green Build Conference (IGBC) 2025—its largest platform for green building and sustainable urban development—on 19 August 2025 at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya. Organised by GreenRE and REHDA Institute, this year’s event comes at a pivotal time as...

HDA Residential Properties Exempted from SST: Government Eases Developer and Buyer Concerns In response to growing industry anxiety over rising construction costs, the Malaysian government has officially exempted residential properties sold under the Housing Development Act (HDA) from the revised Sales and Services Tax (SST) framework. The exemption includes serviced apartments built on commercial land,...

Arden by Astaka and Kimlun: Johor Bahru’s New Skyline Icon Breaks Ground Astaka Holdings Ltd and Kimlun Corp Bhd (KL:KIMLUN) have officially begun construction on Arden, a 68-storey luxury serviced residence in One Bukit Senyum, Johor Bahru. The landmark project, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM800 million, marks the first component of Phase 3 of the developer's flagship master plan and is...

Malaysia Climbs to 23rd in World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 — Highest Since 2020 Malaysia has surged 11 spots in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) to secure the 23rd position out of 69 global economies, marking its best performance since 2020 and reaffirming its trajectory toward becoming one of the world’s most competitive nations. The annual ranking, published by the Institute for...

Malaysia Unveils ‘Madani City’ in Putrajaya: A High-Tech, Sustainable Urban Model for the Future Malaysia has officially unveiled plans for Madani City, a futuristic, AI-integrated, and eco-conscious township set to rise in Putrajaya, the country’s federal administrative capital. Announced on Tuesday by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa,...

Monash University in Final Talks for New TRX Campus in Kuala Lumpur Monash University Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of Monash University’s branch campus in Sunway City, is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with TRX City Sdn Bhd to lease a purpose-built campus within the 70-acre Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). If finalised, this would mark Monash’s second campus in Malaysia and its first...

Malaysian Property Market 2025: Key Trends and Insights The Malaysian property market is showing signs of stability and maturity as it enters a new phase marked by consistent growth, rising investor interest, and evolving buyer expectations. Recent data and expert opinions highlight the booming real estate market in Johor, the demand for ESG-compliant office spaces in Kuala Lumpur, and the sustained...

Gamuda Expands Gamuda Cove with New Land Acquisition in Selangor Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) is set to enhance its Gamuda Cove township in Selangor with the acquisition of three additional plots of land, totaling 336 acres. The purchase price of RM248.7 million translates to approximately RM17 per square foot, and the transaction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026. This expansion aligns...

Tropicana Uplands: A Thriving Community in Iskandar Malaysia Tropicana Corporation Bhd continues to see strong demand for its latest developments within Tropicana Uplands, located in the international zone of Iskandar Malaysia. As of the first quarter of 2025, the commercial and residential phases—Summit Commercial Hub and Aster Heights—achieved a remarkable 100% take-up rate, while the newly launched...

Malaysia’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 3% in April 2025 — Lowest in a Decade Malaysia’s labour market has reached a major milestone, with the unemployment rate dropping to 3% in April 2025, the lowest level recorded in the past 10 years. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s Labour Force Report, this marks a further decline from 3.1% in March, highlighting the country’s strong...