KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama): The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, which could have benefited property projects along its route, may be revisited by the government later, said CBRE | WTW group managing director Foo Gee Jen.
He opined that when the local economy becomes more stable, the government might decide to reconsider the project, however, at the moment, the priority is on combating COVID-19 and sustaining economic growth. I believe there will be a negative impact due to the cancellation, but I believe we need to prioritise where we put our money, such as for growth and sustainability. My take on the HSR (project) is (that it is) not being called off, but temporarily being put on the back burner. Something for us to revisit when the economy allows for it,” he said during the virtual media briefing on the Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook 2021 report today.
Last year was a tough one for almost all property sectors. According to data from the National Property Information Centre (Napic), in 1H2020, Malaysia’s property market transaction volume and value decreased 27.9% and 31.5% respectively compared with the previous year. While most property consultants believe there should be some recovery this year, it will depend on the Covid-19 vaccine as well as the performance of the job market and economy.
Some consultants think there will be opportunities for investors in the auction market with foreclosures likely to increase, but others believe that owing to government intervention and the low interest rate environment, this might not be the case. On the other hand, this could be a golden opportunity for first-time homebuyers to purchase their dream home. However, as property is a long-term investment, the age-old advice of doing your homework and buying what you can afford continues to hold true.
THE termination of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project is a setback for the property developments that had hoped to tap the potential of the mega transport endeavour.
While there has been talk of having a domestic HSR from KL to Johor Baru, there is no certainty as to whether it will materialise in the near term. Thus, the gestation period for Bandar Malaysia the HSR terminus in KL and Vision Valley 2.0 projects could take longer than planned.
However, a corporate observer familiar with the Bandar Malaysia development is unfazed by the possible delay as a result of the termination. “This project is not going to happen in five years. So, what is the difference if it is extended by another five years? After all it is a 20- to 30-year project,” she tells The Edge.