The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has clarified its decision to appoint a new management agent for Green Garden Flats (Blocks 1062 and 1066) in Jelutong, saying the move was made after it found that the development had not held an Annual General Meeting (AGM) since February 2019.

In a media statement dated Aug 12, MBPP said it had received various complaints from parcel owners at Green Garden since 2025 concerning the management of the scheme by the existing Management Corporation (MC).

MBPP said its review found that the last AGM was held on Feb 23, 2019, based on the AGM minutes submitted to the council. Under the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757), an AGM is required to be held once a year, with no more than 15 months between consecutive AGMs.

The council also pointed out that the existing management committee had exceeded the prescribed tenure. Under the Act, the chairman, secretary and treasurer cannot hold office for more than two consecutive years, while other committee members cannot serve for more than three consecutive terms.

As no AGM had been held for the Green Garden scheme, MBPP said the previous management committee no longer had the authority to continue managing and maintaining the scheme. It therefore exercised its powers under Section 86(1)(b) of Act 757 to appoint a new management agent.

MBPP said it had earlier issued a notice dated Nov 13, 2025, inviting parcel owners who were interested and eligible to call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to establish a new management committee. However, the council said it received no response from any parcel owner to convene the EGM.

Consequently, MBPP appointed EAD Property Management Sdn Bhd as the management agent for Green Garden, effective Aug 1, 2026. The appointment is for a period of no more than one year, specifically to facilitate the formation of a new management committee for the scheme.

The transition has, however, encountered resistance. According to MBPP, representatives from EAD visited the Green Garden management office on Aug 4 to arrange the handover of management documents. The previous management committee agreed to hand over the documents on Aug 10, but EAD was reportedly prevented from entering the management office on that date.

Both parties subsequently lodged police reports over the incident, and MBPP scheduled a discussion with the previous management committee on Aug 12 to resolve the matter.

MBPP stressed that the appointment of the management agent falls within the powers of the Commissioner of Buildings under Section 86(1)(b) of Act 757, particularly where there is no valid management committee in place.

A newly proposed 31-storey serviced residence on a 1.6-acre site along Jalan Batu Kawan, directly opposite the Eco Sun development scheme by EcoWorld. The development is located near Stadium Batu Kawan and is less than a 10-minute drive from IKEA Batu Kawan and the Penang Second Bridge, offering convenient access to key destinations in the area.

The proposed development features a 31-storey tower offering 299 serviced residence units. It includes a seven-storey podium car park, a dedicated level of lifestyle facilities and amenities, with 23 residential floors occupying the upper levels.

Further details, including unit layouts, built-up sizes, pricing, and project timeline, have yet to be announced. The proposal is subject to the relevant planning approvals before construction can begin.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Batu Kawan
Property Type : Serviced residence
Land Area: 1.6 acres (approximate)
Total Units : 299
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data at the time of publication. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

A management dispute has emerged at Green Garden Flats in Paya Terubong, with the existing management body and a newly appointed management company both claiming authority over the 2,255-unit residential development.

According to a report by Sin Chew Daily, the existing management body, Nostalgia Kencana Sdn Bhd, and about 30 residents held a press conference on Aug 10 to object to the Penang Island City Council’s Commissioner of Buildings (COB) appointing EAD Sdn Bhd as the new management body without residents’ consent. The development has an estimated occupancy rate of 70%, with more than 9,000 residents.

The COB’s decision to appoint a new management body was reportedly linked to the existing MC not having held an Annual General Meeting (AGM) since 2019. The authority reportedly notified residents that the existing management body had been replaced after finding that no AGM had been convened for about seven years.

Green Garden’s Management Corporation (MC) chairman Leong said representatives from EAD arrived on Aug 4 with a letter from the COB stating that the company had been appointed to take over management of the flats from Aug 1. She questioned the decision, saying the replacement was made without an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or an open tender process.

According to her, Nostalgia Kencana resumed management of the flats after an AGM held in 2019 and has maintained the monthly maintenance fee at RM55, including RM5 for the sinking fund. She said the management had overseen the upgrading of 16 lifts, security and cleaning services, as well as issues such as power disruptions and water leaks.

Leong added that the existing management body had planned to hold an AGM on Aug 15 but was informed that the COB would not accept the proposed meeting.

Residents’ representative Mr. Lim said the COB should give the existing management body time to organise an AGM, allowing residents to decide which management body should take over. He also expressed concern that maintenance fees could increase under a new management arrangement.

Meanwhile, Chooi Foo Cheong, vice-chairman of MCA Bukit Gelugor division, suggested that the authorities listen to residents’ views and that the existing management body disclose its accounts so residents can compare the available management options before making a decision.

Interestingly, the latest dispute is not the first management controversy at Green Garden. In 2012, Nostalgia Kencana Sdn Bhd was charged by the Penang Island City Council over the collection of maintenance fees from residents of Blocks 1062 and 1066, and was later convicted and fined RM8,000, according to Sin Chew Daily. In 2016, Oriental Daily reported another dispute at Green Garden involving a different management company, including allegations concerning financial irregularities, outstanding electricity bills and disagreements over the management committee.

As Penang’s mainland continues to experience rapid growth, Bukit Mertajam has established itself as one of the state’s most vibrant residential destinations. Supported by well-developed infrastructure, comprehensive amenities and excellent connectivity, the township has become an attractive choice for both homeowners and investors seeking convenience without compromising on lifestyle.

Located along Jalan Song Ban Kheng, SEVORA Residence introduces a new benchmark for contemporary high-rise living in Bukit Mertajam. Developed with a vision to redefine urban living, the project combines thoughtfully planned residences, resort-inspired facilities and modern architecture to create a home that complements today’s evolving lifestyles.

Every residence at SEVORA has been carefully designed to maximise space efficiency, natural lighting and ventilation. The practical layouts provide comfortable and functional living spaces, catering to young professionals, growing families and those seeking a modern home within a well-established neighbourhood.

One of SEVORA’s defining features is its emphasis on lifestyle. A dedicated facilities level has been thoughtfully transformed into a landscaped garden sanctuary, offering residents an impressive collection of recreational and wellness amenities. From leisure spaces and fitness facilities to family-friendly recreational areas, every element has been curated to encourage a healthier, more balanced lifestyle while bringing nature closer to everyday living.

Strategically located in the heart of Bukit Mertajam, SEVORA offers exceptional accessibility to major transportation networks, including the North-South Expressway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) and Penang Bridge. Residents enjoy seamless connectivity to both Penang Island and the mainland’s major commercial and industrial hubs, making daily commuting efficient and convenient.

The surrounding neighbourhood is equally well established, with an extensive range of amenities located within close proximity. Shopping malls, supermarkets, schools, healthcare facilities, cafés, restaurants and recreational destinations are all easily accessible, allowing residents to enjoy the convenience of a mature township where everything they need is just minutes away.

Beyond its strategic location, SEVORA also benefits from the continued economic growth of Penang’s mainland. As Bukit Mertajam continues to attract new businesses, investments and infrastructure improvements, demand for quality residential developments in the area is expected to remain strong. This positions SEVORA as an appealing choice not only for owner-occupiers but also for investors seeking long-term value and growth potential.

Architecturally, SEVORA embraces a contemporary design philosophy inspired by modern resort living. Clean architectural lines, elegant façades and thoughtfully landscaped surroundings create an inviting environment where residents can unwind, reconnect and enjoy a greater sense of wellbeing after a busy day.

More than simply providing a place to live, SEVORA is designed to foster a vibrant community where comfort, convenience and lifestyle come together seamlessly. Every aspect of the development reflects a commitment to creating homes that support the aspirations of modern homeowners while delivering lasting value for generations to come.

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SEVORA Sales Gallery @ Bukit Mertajam
Address: 9, Lorong Bukit Minyak Utama 2, Taman Bukit Minyak Utama, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
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Contact number: 04-539 5777
Whatsapp: 014-776 2677

The government plans to use big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to determine affordable housing needs based on locality, income levels and market demand under the National Housing Policy 2026-2035.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the existing RM300,000 ceiling for affordable homes was a “one-size-fits-all” approach that did not reflect differences in housing costs and affordability across regions.

Citing data from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), Nga said affordable homes in the Klang Valley could be priced at around RM500,000, compared with about RM300,000 in Kelantan. He noted that applying the same price ceiling to locations such as Kuala Krai and Bukit Bintang would not accurately reflect local market conditions.

The new approach will analyse factors including household income, location, region, housing type and demand. The government has obtained approval from the Finance Ministry to introduce the big data analytics system from next year, allowing developers to refer to locality-specific data when planning new projects.

Nga said Malaysia’s housing issue was not necessarily a shortage of supply, but a mismatch between the types and locations of homes being developed and what buyers need. The government expects data-driven feasibility studies to help developers build homes that are more aligned with actual market demand, potentially reducing the number of unsold properties.

The initiative forms part of the National Housing Policy 2026-2035, which aims to address rising living costs, demographic changes, housing supply-demand mismatches, unsold properties, and delayed, troubled and abandoned projects. The policy comprises six focus areas, 17 strategies and 59 action plans, including a target to provide one million affordable homes by 2035.

Meanwhile, Nga said the reported decline in home ownership among the M40 group could partly reflect changing lifestyle preferences. Citing a Rehda Institute survey, he said 24% of respondents preferred renting as they did not want to be tied to long-term bank loans and instead preferred having greater disposable income.