Malaysia is fast becoming an aged nation, even by global standards. According to World Bank estimates, Malaysia joined the ranks of an ageing society (with 7% of its population aged 65 and over) in 2020. The country is en route to becoming an aged society in 2044 (with 14% of its population aged 65 and over), and super-aged society in 2056 (with 20% of its population aged 65 and over).
McCrea said: “There is a scramble to do something in the financial setting, and in the world of environmental, social and governance (ESG). We are seeing this being driven by big investment companies. It is definitely [linked] to the property sector — we have a lot of developers and managers who are involved. However, everyone is prickly about ESG risks.
Zeti, who helmed PNB for nearly three years since her appointment in June 2018, is set to step down from the post as soon as coming Friday, when the asset management company will hold its annual general meeting, said sources.
Best to let the market sort itself out.
In the SRC case, the former finance minister faces one count of abuse of power in relation to his role in approving RM4 billion worth of loans from the Retirement Fund Inc to SRC International. In addition, the Pekan MP also faces three criminal breach of trust charges and three money-laundering charges in relation to RM42 million found in his bank accounts.
Home prices have risen rapidly since 1990, fuelled by historically low interest rates and enabled by the then government’s policies (such as home ownership campaigns, Developer Interest Bearing Scheme and a reduction in the real property gains tax) and banks’ aggressive lending for mortgages. As a result, home affordability has declined by half.
Over the last few years, the Malaysian property market has been characterised by sluggish sales and a rising number of unsold homes. Developers are sitting on large stocks of inventories, which are stretching their balance sheets, funded by borrowings from banks, and the debt and capital markets, including issuing perpetual securities. The sector’s poor outlook is reflected in the low valuation of property stocks, most of which are trading at around one-third book value.
How did this situation come about?
In 5½ decades, never has the group encountered such adversity — its casinos and hotels have had to remain shut for two months now, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, choking cash flow and revenue.
It will be investing in the renovation of existing rooms at the Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur, adding more rooms and introducing serviced suites.
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