In this day and age, when everything we need is online, some may question whether we actually need a property agent to buy a house. We will be speaking with Tan Kian Aun, President of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents, about the relevance of property agents, their responsibilities in today’s house-buying process, and how their roles have evolved over time.

Over the last 167 years, since Kuala Lumpur was founded by a group of tin miners, this muddy confluence has grown into a city of modern skyscrapers, many of which are at least 60 years' old. This means many need to undergo refurbishment, upgrading and modernising. Ar Dato Zulkhairi Md Zain, a director at Multi-Spex Architects and a council member at Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) and Teoh Tze Ping, Managing Director of lift-makers, KONE Malaysia, talk about the complexities of these issues.

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Goal 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) states that cities and human settlements should be made inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in September that our country excels beyond the global average in achieving the UN’s SDGs. So how is Malaysia progressing on SDG 11? For some thoughts, Natalie Tan will be speaking with Dr. Keith Tan, Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Building & Design in the Faculty of Innovation & Technology at Taylor’s University.

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Budget 2025 turned out to be Malaysia’s largest ever budget at RM421 billion and was focused on revitalising the economy, catalysing transformative change and improving the overall well-being of the people. Sulaiman Akhmady Saheh from property consultants Rahim & Co International helps us unpack what was unveiled and while there weren't many specifics incentives for the real estate sector, some trickle down effect can be expected going forward.

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The Malaysia My Second Home Programme has undergone several changes since its introduction in 2002, the latest of which is making it a condition that successful applicants must also purchase a residential property of a certain minimum value. Anthony Liew, president of the MM2H Consultants’ Association shares his insights into this industry for an idea of its demand and challenges faced by applicants.

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Malaysia is ranked top 3 amongst Asian countries for outbound cross-border property investment in the UK, where some factors supporting this trend continue to be significant including our colonial history and the fact that many seeking overseas education tend to look at Britain. Virata Gamany, the Executive Director of CSI Prop International Properties, a property consultant specialised in UK properties has some tips.

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Now that the third quarter of 2024 has ended, it is time to take stock of the performance of Malaysia's property sector and to look forward to what the remaining three months of the year has in store. Siva Shanker, CEO of Estate Agency at property consultants, Rahim & Co International, shares his insights as the ringgit stages a rally, the interest rate outlook loos more dovish and with Budget 2025 set to be tabled soon.

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Architects are responsible for the overall design and looks of houses, buildings, and other structures. They must ensure that the final product is both attractive and functional. Edric Choo, a Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia council member and the founder of O2 Design Atelier CHOO Poo Liang Architect, shares his experience in getting to where he is today, hoping to inspire the next generation.

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Residents' associations have become an important facet of life as we live in communities in which we want to have more say in issues like safety, security as well as sustainability. KLRA+SD's chairperson, Tan Booi Charn, and one of its exco members, Sam Lau, share their experience in setting up an RA as well as their role in ensuring the sustainability of developments in Kuala Lumpur.

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Malaysia has a home ownership rate of 72.5%. Compare this with the US, the UK and Australia which have a rate ranging between 66% and 68%. Dr Suraya Ismail, the director of research at Khazanah Research Institute, delves into this issue along with insights contained in its lates report, "The Financialization of our Lives: Values and Trade-Offs", as well as why a build-then-sell concept for new housing developments might be a better option for Malaysia.

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The Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents, and Property Managers (BOVAEP), Malaysia’s regulatory body for the real estate sector, periodically warns the public to be aware of scams ranging from unregistered estate agents to people impersonating registered agents. Tan Kian Aun, the president of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents and a former board member of BOVAEP shares his experiences in such cases, including tips on how NOT to get duped.

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