MELAKA: Former Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron has been appointed chairman of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) with effect from April 1, taking over from Datuk Azian Osman.

KUALA LUMPUR: MASSDA Land Company Ltd's chairman Tan Sri Michael Chen Wing Sum has been awarded a certificate of merit in recognition of his contribution to the socio-economic development of Danang City in Vietnam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympia Industries Bhd has disposed of its entire stake in wholly-owned unit Dairy Maid Resort & Recreation Sdn Bhd (DMRR) to Jelita Timur Sdn Bhd for RM30.15 million. DMRR owns Menara Olympia and the tract on which the building sits along Jalan Raja Chulan here.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tiong Nam Logistics Holdings Bhd plans to build a RM40 million warehouse on a 23.76 acre leasehold  industrial site in Shah Alam, Selangor, a crucial move to capitalise on the gradual recovery in global trade amid an improving economic backdrop.

BATU PAHAT (Johor): The Education Ministry of Malaysia has blacklisted six contractors for failing to complete the ministry's school development projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

KUALA LUMPUR: Demand for real estate in Malaysia is expected to improve this year as consumer sentiment recovers amid an improving broader landscape.

Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) deputy president Datuk Michael Yam said demand for properties was slow in the first half of 2009 as consumer confidence was battered by weaker economic conditions  then.

BACHOK (Terengganu): Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors can now withdraw their savings to rebuild their houses which have been burnt down, Deputy Finance Minister senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein said.

MARANG (Terengganu): The Terengganu state government will ask for a report from the Public Works Department regarding the upgrading of the Majils Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (MBKT) Aquatic Centre after several parts of the pool were found to be damaged.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said till now, he has not been told of the damage or whether the damage has been repaired.

KUALA LUMPUR: The tax relief on housing loan interest is restricted to a maximum of RM10,000, the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) said.

In a statement on Friday April 9, the IRB said the amount was deductible for each basis year for a period of three consecutive years of assessment from the date when the interest was first expended.

BEIJING: Surging housing prices and a severe drought in southwest China may prompt the central bank to raise interest rates as early as this month, a senior government economist said on Friday.