Latest news with #Siva
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Property market to grow more slowly this year
PETALING JAYA: Property experts are projecting growth within the real estate industry to be flattish this year, which, in fact, is not as bad as it sounds. Siva Shanker, chief executive officer of property consultants Rahim & Co International Sdn Bhd noted that while the idea of huge growth does sound (more) appealing, he cautioned that it is not always sustainable. 'For this year, we are projecting decent growth in a best-case scenario, but it will most likely be flat,' he told StarBiz. Siva acknowledged that the property market has seen high levels of growth over the years, emphasising, however, that this was 'a thing of the past'. 'I don't think growth will go up and down significantly like before. I think the growth will be tiny, but it will also be sustainable. The waves will be lower and longer, which is a good market to have. Any slowdown that we face, it won't be severe.' 'It is a sign that the market is maturing and not giving in to speculation; and that real estate is a long-term play.' Similarly, PPC International Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Siders Sittampalam also expects the real estate market this year to be 'flattish'. 'I think this year is going to be flat. There's not going to be any major excitement or decline in terms of sentiment.' According to the National Property Information Centre, Malaysia's property transaction value fell 8.9% in the first quarter of this year (1Q25) to RM51.42bil, compared with RM56.47bil in the previous corresponding period. Transaction volume dropped 6.2% year-on-year to 97,772 in 1Q25, compared with 104,194 in 1Q24. In spite of the decline, Siders said that demand for property so far this year has been steady. 'Household spending has been steady. Inflation levels have been manageable and the cut in interest rates will help, especially when it comes to the repayment of housing loans.' The Statistics Department announced earlier this month that Malaysia recorded a slightly slower rate of inflation in June compared with the previous month. This was below economists' expectations that there would be no change to the rate of consumer price increases. In June, the consumer price index rose 1.1% compared with 1.2% in May - representing the index's slowest rate of increase in 52 months. Malaysia's core inflation during the month was 1.8%, the same rate as in May. Meanwhile, Bank Negara cut the overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% at its Monetary Policy Committee meeting this month. MBSB Research in a recent report noted that approved loans for the purchase of property increased by 5% month-on-month in May after an increase of 6.8% month-on-month in April. 'The higher loan numbers were mainly driven by a higher approval ratio of 46.4% in May against 44.3% in April. 'On a yearly basis, approved loans climbed by a marginal 0.8% year-on-year in May, despite lower loan applications due to higher loan approval ratio of 46.4% from 44.6% in May 2024.' Cumulatively, the research house said total approved loans in the five months of this year was unchanged at RM110.9bil. 'We expect that total approved loans to be marginally stronger in the coming months as loan applications are expected to remain resilient,' the research house said. Siders said that sentiment is 'still holding'. 'The market is still holding and developers are still selling, especially affordable homes below the RM500,000-mark.' Siders noted that the built-up areas of incoming properties have been getting smaller. 'Surprisingly, the market has been accepting of the smaller built-up areas for homes. As long as banks provide financing, the market will hold,' he said. Siva also acknowledged that the market, so far, has been steady. 'We are still riding on the momentum of the last two years, post-Covid, where growth has been good. 'However, with the ongoing tariff wars and geopolitical uncertainty, we may feel the impact, if any, in the third and fourth quarters. So far, we have not felt the repercussions yet.' Siva said market sentiment is still good. 'The residential sector is still active and people are buying. Borrowing isn't too difficult. 'Unless there is some unforeseen circumstance like a random, unexpected, high-impact event, or events, that could severely affect the economy, the market should be fine.'
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
DMK MP Tiruchy Siva flags delay in RTE fund release to Tamil Nadu in Parliament
CHENNAI: DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchy Siva raised the issue of the non-release of RTE funds for Tamil Nadu for the financial years 2019 to 2021 at the Parliament on Wednesday. Siva asked the reason behind the delay in releasing the funds and referred to the recent Madras High Court direction to the Union Education Ministry to consider splitting the funds allocated to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme by separating the reimbursement of funds to schools under RTE. He requested a clear policy on how RTE reimbursements would be handled for states that refuse to implement the National Education Policy. MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi raised a question regarding the improvement of train connectivity between Thoothukudi and Mumbai. She also asked whether the Union government has considered extending the service of the Lokmanya Tilak-Madurai Express (Train numbers 11043/11044) to Thoothukudi or introducing a new train service. Additionally, she inquired if any timeframe has been fixed for this upgrade in connectivity. DMK treasurer and MP TR Baalu asked the union government about the introduction of new or additional train services to Rameswaram following the opening of the vertical lift sea bridge. Citing technical issues with the new lift bridge, he also asked when the problems would be resolved and the bridge would become functional, enabling ship movement.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Leader of Opposition questions claim of smooth transition of government schools to CBSE syllabus
Leader of Opposition and DMK convenor R. Siva has challenged the government's claim of successful transitioning to CBSE syllabus in all schools in the Union Territory. In a statement, Mr. Siva contended that the CBSE syllabus was implemented in Puducherry overlooking public opposition and without considering the future welfare of the students. Contrary to the government's claims of success, the change-over to the syllabus was ill-planned and affected the students' interests, he said. The DMK leader challenged Education Minister A. Namassivayam to reveal details about the number of students who cleared papers in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, and how many scored over 80% marks. He claimed that the truth was apart from the full 30 marks awarded by teachers for the practical examination, most students had barely passed scoring only 23 marks out of the total of 70 marks. Can the Education department or the government claiming successful migration to CBSE syllabus deny these facts, he sought to know. Mr. Siva also wondered how students taking the CBSE Class 12 board examination and qualifying through the 'best of five' principle, even if they fare poorly in a science-related sixth subject, would be able to pursue professional education in medicine or engineering courses. He called upon the government to disclose all the details instead of covering them up to evaluate the success or failure of switching over to the CBSE syllabus.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Stalin urges calm after DMK MP's remark on Kamaraj sparks row
CHENNAI: Amid strong reactions from Tamil Nadu Congress leaders to DMK deputy general secretary Tiruchy N Siva's comment about former CM and Congress stalwart K Kamaraj, DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday appealed to party cadres to 'avoid unnecessary debates' and not to give space to the intentions of evil-minded people who want to foment trouble.. 'Let's avoid futile discussions. It is not right to have controversial discussions in public about such a great leader and a pure Tamilian. Any opinion should be shared in a way that protects the dignity of respected leaders,' Stalin said in a post on 'X'. Speaking at an event on July 16, Rajya Sabha MP Siva, while trying to explain about the bonding between Kamaraj and DMK patriarch K Karunanidhi, said the former had a health problem that required him to be in air-conditioned rooms and hence the then CM Karunanidhi arranged AC facility in all government guest houses across the state. He also said that Kamaraj, during his last days, held the hands of Karunanidhi and urged him to 'protect democracy'. The remark was seen by many as an affront to the legacy of the Congress leader known for his impeccable integrity, simplicity and austere life. Several TNCC leaders, including president K Selvaperunthagai and MPs S Jothimani and Manickam Tagore, slammed Siva and demanded an apology from him after the video of his speech went viral. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, too, condemned the remarks. Palaniswami alleged that though the events surrounding the passing away of Kamaraj have been recorded meticulously, Siva has dared to utter a blatant lie by claiming that Kamaraj hailed Karunanidhi by holding his hands. Vijay's TVK and Seeman's NTK also jumped in to attack the DMK for 'insulting' Kamaraj.
The Print
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
‘Kamaraj couldn't sleep without AC': Tiruchi Siva's claim has Congress fuming, ally DMK in damage control
At a DMK public meeting in Perambur 15 July, Siva purportedly said Karunanidhi told him that Kamaraj would not be able to sleep without an air conditioner owing to his skin allergy. While Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai and Congress MP Jothimani condemned the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha MP for his comments, Opposition AIADMK and BJP latched on to his statement to drive a wedge between the two parties. Chennai: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva's claim that former chief minister K. Karunanidhi once told him that Congress stalwart K. Kamaraj would get an allergy if he did not sleep in an air-conditioned room has sparked unease between INDIA bloc allies Congress and DMK. In a social media video, Siva could be heard purportedly saying, 'When I was around 23 or 24, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) would take me in his car and recount some events. Some people would question why he was telling these things to a young kid. But he knew I would speak about them in public meetings and convey them effectively to people.' 'He would tell me many such stories. One day, he told me this, 'Kamarajar has organised condemnation meetings all over Tamil Nadu against electricity shortage. Kamarajar would get an allergy if he didn't have air conditioning'. So, he (Karunanidhi) ordered that all the visitors' bungalows where he stayed be equipped with air conditioning,' Siva said in the public meeting at Perambur. Siva's statements sparked a backlash as many saw it as a distortion of Kamaraj's legacy and simplicity. Former BJP president K. Annamalai said it was not a surprise that the DMK is attempting to disgrace great leader Kamaraj. 'Even when Kamaraj was alive, the late DMK leader Mr. Karunanidhi criticised him with derogatory words, and the nation knows it,' he said in a post on X on Thursday. Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, he also questioned if the Congress is ready to leave the DMK-led alliance in the state. 'Why is the Congress still silent after the DMK is making factually incorrect statements about K Kamarajar. Is the Congress ready to leave the DMK alliance? Is the Congress prepared to contest the elections alone to save its dignity,' he asked while speaking to reporters in Chennai Thursday. Condemning Siva, Congress MP Jothimani said such false claims and narratives were used to target the Congress stalwart during his active political career too. 'The whole world knows how Kamaraj lived and how much he had at the time of his death,' she told reporters in Karur Wednesday evening. In a post on X, she said Siva's remark was contrary to the truth. 'As a chief minister, he stayed in government guest houses, and if it was too hot, he would sleep under a tree on a cot. He was a simple man who even told his security personnel to rest and was accustomed to sleeping alone. The claim by brother Thiru Tiruchi Siva that Kamarajar would not sleep without an air-conditioned room is entirely contrary to the truth,' she said. She added that Siva's statement must be seen as a continuation of the myths propagated in the past with political malice against the leader. The DMK has often criticised the Congress stalwart through cartoons and remarks. Siva's comments, coming on the day Kamaraj's 123rd birth anniversary was celebrated across the state, have reignited tensions between the DMK and its ally Congress. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin stepped in soon and asked his cadres to not give any room to 'evil-minded people' to stir trouble in the alliance and revel in it. 'Let us all unite and work to fulfill the dreams of the great leader (K. Kamaraj) who dedicated his entire life to building social justice and secular harmony! Let us avoid pointless debates!' he said in a post on X on Thursday. He also recalled how rationalist Periyar alias E.V. Ramasamy once praised Kamaraj as a 'true Tamilian'. 'Peraringar Anna (former chief minister C. N. Annadurai) was the one who decided not to field a candidate against the great leader in the Gudiyatham byelection. When the great leader passed away, Tamil leader Kalaignar stood like a son, in making arrangements for the final respects, establishing a memorial and declaring his birthday as education development day,' Stalin recalled in his post on X. Siva also issued a clarification Wednesday night, saying he speaks passionately and emotionally about Kamaraj. 'There is a growing debate assuming that I spoke in a manner that tarnished the reputation of the great leader Kamarajar. Many are aware that even when I speak about leaders from opposition, I criticise them with decorum,' he said, asking people not to make his speech a subject of further debate. 'It is my usual practice to speak passionately and emotionally on various platforms about Kamarajar, who opened the eyes of people through education and served a guiding light for India by enabling children from poor households to attend school through the midday meal scheme,' he said. Also Read: Eyeing larger share of pie in seat-sharing talks, allies keep pressure on DMK ahead of TN polls Opposition gets fodder Opposition AIADMK criticised the Congress for 'not condemning' Siva enough for his remarks. 'Congress leaders should exhibit more spine in condemning. No true Congressmen would accept such a remark against the Congress stalwart and a man who is known for his simplicity,' AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told ThePrint. Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan expressed pain over Siva's comments and condemned him and his party DMK. 'Kamaraj is known for his simplicity and integrity. He is a role model for politicians in the state. His tenure in the state is regarded as the golden period,' Vasan said in a statement Thursday. Meanwhile, actor-turned politician Vijay's TVK demanded a public apology from Siva for his 'false allegations'. 'Kamaraj is our ideological leader and he is a symbol of honesty and simplicity. Siva should seek a public apology. The TNCC will stay silent, but the TVK will not if our ideological leaders are targeted,' K. Arunraj, the TVK General Secretary said in a statement Thursday. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: PMK foundation day overshadowed by father-son feud as Anbumani Ramadoss pitches for share in TN govt
