By Joseph Wong The first quarter of 2026 has been defined by noise. From chaotic shifts in international trade routes to the volatile swings of the oil market, the external environment has been anything but predictable. Yet, on March 5, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) sent a powerful signal of domestic calm by maintaining the Overnight…
Read MorePETALING JAYA: Packaging manufacturer and property developer Scientex Bhd recorded a 9.1% increase in net profit to RM135.2 million for the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2026 (Q2’26) from RM123.9 million in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, driven by higher packaging sales volume and operational efficiency, as well as increased contributions from the property development…
Read MorePETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s property developers remain cautiously optimistic about the market outlook for 2026, although global geopolitical tensions could dampen sentiment going forward, according to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda). Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang said the industry is seeing some improvement in sentiment, but warned that recent developments in…
Read Moreby AKMAR ANNUAR HOME financing has emerged as a growing challenge in Malaysia’s housing market, with the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) saying the highest loan rejection rates in the second half (2H) 2025 were recorded for homes priced between RM500,001 and RM700,000. Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang said the industry is…
Read MoreThe Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association said affordability and financing challenges have resulted in lower demand for housing compared with previous decades. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The property market is expected to remain stable in 2026 as long as there is no major escalation of global conflicts, says the Real Estate and Housing Developers’…
Read MoreBy Datuk Mani Usilappan As Malaysia consolidates its position as a regional economic powerhouse in 2026, the sheer scale of its property-related debt has become impossible to ignore. According to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) data, lending to the broad property sector reached approximately RM1.21 trillion by mid-2025, representing over half of all outstanding loans in…
Read MoreKUALA LUMPUR: The Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) has declared a 5.35% dividend for the financial year ended Dec 31 2025, its highest payout in eight years, underpinned by stronger investment income and continued progress in its institutional transformation. The dividend was announced at an event officiated by Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin today, who…
Read MoreKUALA LUMPUR: Paramount Corporation Bhd is rolling out RM1.1 billion worth of property launches in 2026 while stepping up efforts to monetise underperforming assets, as the group positions itself for stronger capital efficiency amid a structurally tightening supply environment. Backed by RM1.5 billion in unbilled sales as at Dec 31 2025, the property developer said…
Read MoreA GROWING number of young Malaysians are choosing to rent the homes they live in while buying investment properties in other states, a strategy known as “rent-vesting”, according to new insights released by property group Juwai IQI. Juwai IQI co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari said the approach reflects a shift in mindset among younger…
Read MoreMulti-generational living used to focus on ageing parents. Today, developers are designing homes for a different reality. They are thinking about working adult children who need their own space, privacy and independence without leaving home. This change is subtle but it reflects a broader shift in both culture and economics. For many Malaysian families, the…
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