The Chinese have overtaken Malaysians as the second-largest overseas buyers in Singapore’s residential market, despite the Singaporean government introducing measures aimed at cooling down the market.

KUALA LUMPUR: S P Setia Bhd added another feather to its cap with a win at the global FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards 2011 in Cyprus for its Setia Eco Park development Thursday night, May 19, it stated on Friday. The win was for the Residential (Low Rise) Category.

SETIU: The TerengganuLand and Mines Office (PTG) is cautious in approving group land applications from those who illegally occupy state land to prevent shortage.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said investigation revealed that those with land had also applied for the second time, thus depriving others of the opportunity.

SINGAPORE: Malaysia's largest property developer Sime Darby Property Bhd is eyeing for new projects, especially redevelopment projects in Singapore, says managing director Datuk Tunku Putra Badlishah ibni Tunku Annuar.

"We are constantly looking for new projects, but obviously as you see the land here is very scarce and expensive, so we are doing more on redevelopment projects.

KUALA LUMPUR: KLCC Property Holdings Bhd posted a net profit of RM706 million for its financial year ended March 31, 2011 (FYE2010), up from the net profit of RM647.6 million posted for FYE2009.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malton Bhd recorded a net profit of RM26.3 million for its third quarter ended March 31, 2011 (3Q2011), on the back of revenue of RM116.4 million.

The results marked a significant improvement over its net profit of RM3.6 million and revenue of RM64.9 million posted a year ago.

WASHINGTON: Nationwide US housing starts fell 10.6% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 523,000 units as concerns regarding competition from foreclosures, a lack of consumer confidence in the housing market and the inability to secure production credit caused builders to slow production, according to newly released figures from the US Commerce Department.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property is launching Turnberry Villas, a new high-end landed residential project located within the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC), off Jalan Bukit Kiara in Kuala Lumpur this weekend. The project, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM550 million, offers 128 units that face the East Course’s 12th fairway.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new mixed commercial development comprising a hotel, serviced apartments and retail units is being planned for Ipoh’s Greentown Business Centre, along Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil.Dubbed Emerald Deals, the project will be built on a 3.3-acre (1.34ha) plot of freehold land next to Ipoh Parade, said its developer Emerald Deals Sdn Bhd director Joseph Chin.

The government has raised petrol prices several times and the unpredictable global weather is not helping. It will mean poorer production of vital crops, and as a result, we can be sure that food prices will rise again this year. Merely fretting over rising costs is counter-productive, so why not think of ways to lower costs.