Latest news with #RM800mil
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Astaka-Kimlun JV begins construction of RM800mil Arden skyscraper in Johor Baru
From left: Astaka Kimlun Sdn Bhd director Abdul Hakim Kamaludin, Astaka Holdings Limited CEO and Director Allen Khong, Johor Bahru City Council mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad, Kimlun Corp Bhd CEO and executive director Pang Khang Hau and Kimlun executive director Sim Tian Liang. KUALA LUMPUR: Johor-based property developer Astaka Holdings Limited, together with its joint venture (JV) partner Kimlun Corp Bhd , has commenced construction of Arden — a premium serviced residence under Phase 3 of One Bukit Senyum, the group's flagship development. In a statement, Astaka said the 68-storey Arden is envisioned as a prominent international landmark within the newly announced Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Standing 260 metres above ground, it will be the second tallest building in Johor Bahru. Notably, Astaka also developed Johor Bahru's tallest building — The Astaka — completed in 2018 as part of Phase 1 of the One Bukit Senyum development. Arden is a freehold development with a gross development value (GDV) of RM800mil, comprising 618 units of premium serviced residences. Unit sizes range from 797 to 1,700 square feet, with prices estimated between RM1,300 and RM1,500 per square foot. Targeted for completion by 2030, the project reflects the group's vision of delivering an iconic and prestigious development that will reshape Johor Bahru's skyline. Astaka and its JV partner have appointed GDP Architects Sdn Bhd — the firm behind landmark projects such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, TRX Residence, EQ Hotel Kuala Lumpur, and The Astaka — as the project's architect. Astaka executive director and chief executive officer Allen Khong said that following the successful official launch of Arden in March 2025, the company was thrilled to commence construction of the landmark development. 'We are pleased to share this milestone with Kimlun, our longstanding partner on projects including Menara MBJB and Aliva Mount Austin. I am proud to highlight that this project brings together two renowned, Johor-based real estate players dedicated to world-class developments that deliver exceptional value to residents and investors,' he said. Meanwhile, Kimlun chief executive officer Pang Khang Hau said: 'Kimlun is proud to partner with Astaka once again as a JV partner and the main contractor on another transformative project that will redefine Johor Bahru's skyline. 'Our proven track record in delivering high-quality engineering and construction solutions aligns perfectly with the vision for Arden and One Bukit Senyum. Together, we look forward to delivering an iconic project that will be the city's newest landmark.'
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Safe Internet drive eyes secondary, tertiary students
JOHOR BARU: The Safe Internet Campaign by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will target secondary schools and public universities next month to create awareness on becoming responsible Internet users. 'This is a programme by MCMC, which was launched in April. 'So far, we have held the campaign in nine primary schools including vernacular schools in the country,' said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. She said the campaign will help educate people in protecting their privacy and funds from online culprits. The campaign is meant to raise awareness especially among future generations on how to use the Internet, social media and apps safely, she told reporters after launching the Kita Madani carnival at PPR Sri Stulang here yesterday. To ensure that the campaign reaches out to as many people as possible, Teo said the MCMC is training individuals to become trainers. She said the government will also deal with issues related to cyber bullying and data protection during the campaign. 'The campaign will help educate the public on how not to fall prey to any get-rich-quick schemes they found online, which has become very serious lately. 'Based on police records as of April, the first four months of this year saw almost RM800mil in losses recorded with more than half of those cases involving non-existing investment schemes,' she added. Teo said the Safe Internet Campaign will be held on the sidelines of Rakyat Madani Program (PMR) 2025 at Toppen Shopping Centre here for three days from May 23 to 25. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will launch the event, she added. 'Many agencies will set up booths during PMR 2025,' she said. 'It will provide an opportunity for the people to have a better understanding of government policies and initiatives.'
The Star
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MCMC's Safe Internet Campaign aims to help educate society to protect privacy, browse safely
JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Safe Internet Campaign will help educate society in protecting their privacy and money from irresponsible parties online, says Teo Nie Ching. The Deputy Communications Minister added that the campaign was launched last month to educate the public, in particular future generations, on how to properly use the Internet and social media including apps safely 'This is a new programme by MCMC, which was launched for the first time in April. So far, we have held the campaign in nine primary schools including vernacular schools across the country. 'We are hoping to enter secondary schools and public universities to hold the Safe Internet Campaign by next month to create awareness on becoming a responsible Internet user,' she said. Teo, who is also the Kulai MP, said this to pressmen after officiating at the Kita Madani carnival held at PPR Sri Stulang here on Saturday (May 17). She added that to ensure that the campaign able to reach out to as many people as it can, MCMC was in the midst of training individuals to become trainers. Teo also said that through the campaign, the government was aggressive in tackling issues such as cyber bullying, protecting data and personal information online and not abusing technology such as artificial intelligence. 'The campaign will also help educate the public on not to fall prey to any get rich schemes they found online, which has become very serious lately. 'Based on the records by police, until April, which is the first four months, almost RM800mil in losses have been recorded with more than half of those cases are non existing investment schemes,' she added. Teo said scam cases should be looked upon seriously not only by authorities but by everyone including members of the public so that people would not lose their savings anymore. She added that the Safe Internet Campaign would be held during the sidelines of Rakyat Madani Program (PMR) 2025, which will be held at Toppen Shopping Centre here for three days from May 23 and May 25. 'Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be launching the event on next Friday (May 23) at around 3pm. 'Many agencies will set up booth during the PMR 2025 where it would provide an opportunity for the people to have a better understanding on the Madani government's policies and initiatives for them,' she said.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Set up ecological corridor to address human-elephant conflict, says Nik Nazmi
KUALA LUMPUR: Connecting wildlife habitats, especially elephants, through ecological corridors is among the long-term measures that can be implemented to deal with human-mammal conflicts, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. In addition, he said the establishment of elephant corridors in areas near habitats could also be implemented, including in plantation areas, private land and forested land. Nik Nazmi said oil palm plantation companies also need to work together to create a network of mini corridors within their respective plantations. "Planting natural food sources for elephants in corridor areas (also needs to be implemented) to reduce dependence on commercial crops," he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 13). Nik Nazmi also proposed the formation of an elephant sanctuary covering at least 10,000 hectares, in addition to the installation of street lights at the main elephant crossing locations. However, he said a long-term solution required close cooperation between the federal government and the state government since the forests that are the main habitat of elephants were under state jurisdiction. Nik Nazmi said the federal government is providing additional financial incentives to the state government to protect and conserve protected areas under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for biodiversity conservation. To date, RM800mil had been provided under EFT, including RM250mil this year, and its implementation had shown results when 90,000 hectares of terrestrial protected areas were gazetted. "Of this amount, there was an increase in the area of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) by more than 14,000 hectares. However, addressing this issue required more than just financial and technical intervention," he said. He said the government would continue to lead efforts through comprehensive policies and implementation, but its success depended on the joint commitment of plantation owners, project implementers, local communities, and road users. "Public awareness needs to be strengthened, because elephant protection is not just a matter of conservation, but also a matter of maintaining ecological balance and national heritage," he said. Regarding the death of an elephant calf due to an accident with a 10-tonne lorry on the East-West Highway (JRTB) on Sunday, Nik Nazmi said it was not just a tragic accident, but reflected a major challenge in the relationship between humans and nature, especially in efforts to maintain the survival of wildlife. According to him, a study in 2016 found that elephant habitat had decreased by 68% due to land use changes for agriculture, plantations, as well as infrastructure development such as roads and settlements. Based on records from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), 4,919 complaints of human-elephant conflict were reported for the period 2020 to 2024, involving property losses estimated at RM39.4mil. In the past five years, Nik Nazmi said a total of eight elephants were recorded dead due to road accidents in Peninsular Malaysia, with three of them occurring this year. - Bernama
The Star
05-05-2025
- The Star
Datuk re-arrested over submission of false claims worth RM450mil
KUALA LUMPUR: A man with the title of Datuk who was released from remand on Saturday (May 3) was rearrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with an ongoing case of submitting false claims worth RM450mil. An MACC source said that the man in his 60s was arrested with another suspect, in his 50s, when they showed up at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya at 7pm on Sunday to provide their statements. Both men have been remanded this morning, with the Datuk being remanded for two days until Tuesday, and the other man for five days until Friday. "Preliminary investigations found both suspects were believed to have submitted false claims worth about RM450mil using sukuk funds and obtained facility from a regional office in a highway construction project in Klang Valley worth about RM1.3bil. "The arrests follow previous arrests involving false claims worth about RM360mil, with a total of RM800mil," they said, adding that five individuals were remanded over the case, with four being released on MACC bail last week. Meanwhile, MACC investigation division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the arrests when contacted, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009. - Bernama
