PJD to launch projects worth RM2b next year

By Sharen Kaur
sharen@nstp.com.my
Published in NST on October 12 2010

PJ Development Holdings Bhd (PJD) is set to unveil three new projects worth over RM2 billion next year as it is bullish that market will perform better on pent-up demand for high-end properties.


Managing director Wong Ah Chiew said he is confident that the new projects, located in hot spots like Sri Hartamas, Cheras and Kuantan, Pahang, will do well.

This year, PJD did not launch any new projects except for sub-phases in existing developments because of uncertainties in the market.

The company has five on-going projects, lasting it for the next five years. They are Swiss-Garden Residences at Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Putri Kulai and Mont' Callista in Johor, Taman Bukit Istana in Kuantan, and Ocean View in Butterworth, Penang.

"These projects have been selling well. For instance, Ocean View, a condominium development, is 80 per cent sold. We have a number of enquiries for new projects and that is why we are launching," Wong said.

In Sri Hartamas, PJD will launch Dutamas Kingsbury, located near Solaris, the bustling commercial centre of Mont' Kiara, by early next year.

Dutamas Kingsbury boasts over 200 condominium units, each with built-up of more than 2,000 sq ft, priced from RM650 per sq ft, and some 60 units of three-storey super link homes, with over 3,000 sq ft in built-up area, selling from RM3 million.

"Demand and choice are there and availability of land is scarce in the Mont' Kiara area. So we hope there will be good take-up," Wong said after the company's extraordinary general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In Cheras, PJD plans to launch an integrated development featuring retail lots, shopoffices, a mall and high-rise serviced apartments, by mid-2011.

Wong said the best project will be the resort-style development at Sg Karang in Kuantan, located close to Swiss-Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan.

The project, which is targeted for launch in the second half of next year, will comprise seafront condominiums, and a four- or five-star hotel.

"We expect that from 2011, when all these projects take off, our turnover from property development will increase. We have several other new projects in the planning stage," Wong said.

For fiscal year ended June 30 2010, PJD posted a net profit of RM52.8 million on revenue of RM666 million, whereby 40-odd per cent was contributed by property development.

PJD also runs a profitable power cable manufacturing business and owns the Swiss Garden chain of hotels.

"We will definitely perform better in the current year," he said.

(ends)