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Defending champions Malaysia are relieved to avoid Thomas Cup champions India in the group stage of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) next month.
Following the draw today, hosts Malaysia are in Group B alongside Taiwan, Kazakhstan and Brunei for the team meet on Feb 13-18 at the Setia City Convention Centre.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the competition this year will be way stiffer than it was two years ago, when Malaysia thrashed Indonesia 3-0 in the final to clinch their maiden BATC crown.
It is, however, important to note that Malaysia can still face any of these strong teams in the last eight, when a fresh draw is conducted for the knockout stage.
“It is true, looking at the squads, India are very strong but teams like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and even Taiwan, who is in our group can go on to win the title.
“The competition this year will be very tough, but we have a reasonable draw for the group stages.”
Earlier, after the draw ceremony, Rexy made it known that he had urged the Malaysian shuttlers to step up and redeem themselves at the BATC, following their disappointing performances at the Petronas Malaysia Open early January.
“Since the BATC is played on home soil, I told the players to focus and use this competition to regain their pride after their poor showing at the Malaysia Open,” added Rexy.
Meanwhile, in the women’s team event, Malaysia, who reached the semi-finals at the previous edition, have their work cut out for them after being drawn in Group Y with Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
The BATC acts as also the Asian qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in April this year.
Teams that reach the semi-finals will secure their place for the world men’s and women’s team championships in Chengdu on April 27-May 5.
The BATC draw:
Men’s Group A – China, India, Hong Kong.
Group B – Malaysia, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Brunei.
Group C – Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar.
Group D – Indonesia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia.
Women’s Group W – China, India.
Group X – Indonesia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan.
Group Y – Thailand, Malaysia, UAE.
Group Z – Japan, Taiwan, Singapore.
Defending champions Malaysia are relieved to avoid Thomas Cup champions India in the group stage of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) next month.
Following the draw today, hosts Malaysia are in Group B alongside Taiwan, Kazakhstan and Brunei for the team meet on Feb 13-18 at the Setia City Convention Centre.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the competition this year will be way stiffer than it was two years ago, when Malaysia thrashed Indonesia 3-0 in the final to clinch their maiden BATC crown.
It is, however, important to note that Malaysia can still face any of these strong teams in the last eight, when a fresh draw is conducted for the knockout stage.
“It is true, looking at the squads, India are very strong but teams like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and even Taiwan, who is in our group can go on to win the title.
“The competition this year will be very tough, but we have a reasonable draw for the group stages.”
Earlier, after the draw ceremony, Rexy made it known that he had urged the Malaysian shuttlers to step up and redeem themselves at the BATC, following their disappointing performances at the Petronas Malaysia Open early January.
“Since the BATC is played on home soil, I told the players to focus and use this competition to regain their pride after their poor showing at the Malaysia Open,” added Rexy.
Meanwhile, in the women’s team event, Malaysia, who reached the semi-finals at the previous edition, have their work cut out for them after being drawn in Group Y with Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
The BATC acts as also the Asian qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in April this year.
Teams that reach the semi-finals will secure their place for the world men’s and women’s team championships in Chengdu on April 27-May 5.
The BATC draw:
Men’s Group A – China, India, Hong Kong.
Group B – Malaysia, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Brunei.
Group C – Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar.
Group D – Indonesia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia.
Women’s Group W – China, India.
Group X – Indonesia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan.
Group Y – Thailand, Malaysia, UAE.
Group Z – Japan, Taiwan, Singapore.
Having seen the iconic Battersea Power Station (BPS) in its derelict form back in 2012, when it was acquired by the Malaysian consortium of S P Setia Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund, visiting the restored building in all its former glory was gratifying, to say the least.
The Power Station, now transformed into a mixed-use destination, and Electric Boulevard were opened to the public in October 2022. The former houses 254 apartments, more than 100 retail shops, an event space and Lift 109, a chimney lift experience with 360° views of London from a height of 109m. It also has 565,000 sq ft of office space, of which 500,000 sq ft is occupied by Apple. Electric Boulevard, a brand new pedestrianised high street, is part of Phase 3.
Circus West Village, comprising a mix of bars, restaurants, shops, fitness and leisure facilties, a cinema and a theatre, was opened in 2017. It is now home to over 1,800 people.
On Dec 13, BPS recorded another achievement when it received a GreenRE Gold certification for its retail portion. The certification was presented to Battersea Project Holding Co Ltd chairman Tan Sri Jagan Sabapathy by GreenRE chairman Datuk Seri Fateh Iskandar Mansor (F D Iskandar) in a ceremony.
The certification is also a milestone for GreenRE, as it is its first certification for a completed international project. “BPS is an iconic project by two of Malaysia’s biggest property developers. The BPS team wanted a green certification that has a more universal standard. In the UK, when dealing with a Grade II-listed landmark building, a lot more care and consideration needs to be taken into account. Kudos to the GreenRE and BPS teams for working together to find a formula to achieve this,” says F D Iskandar.
Battersea Power Station has been transformed into a mixed-use destination (Photo by Battersea Power Station)
Jagan notes that many good things were carried out at BPS in its pursuit of the green agenda.
He says: “The journey from inception to completion has been challenging but, in the end, immensely rewarding. Today, BPS is almost always associated with Malaysia. I take great pride in it.
“We took a derelict building and restored it. The whole philosophy is changing; you take old buildings and retrofit it, make it more efficient. The certification is a wonderful recognition for everyone associated with the journey. I would like to thank F D Iskandar, GreenRE and Rehda for the recognition.”
According to Battersea Power Station Development Company head of communities and sustainability Sarah Banham, the retail element had retained a lot of the original fabric of the building, which was not built to today’s standards.
Banham says: “It was a challenge for GreenRE to certify a Grade II-listed industrial building, which has areas of significance. For example, the control room is a highly significant area, and so are the turbine halls. Anything we do, even putting in the shops, we have to get the consent of Historic England as well as the planning authorities. It is quite complex.” Historic England is an executive non-departmental public body of the British government sponsored by the department for Culture, Media and Sport.
One of the main things done was to create natural ventilation for the mall. “The main circulation space through the two turbine halls is not heated or cooled. It is completely passive and natural, so it becomes sort of an indoor street. It’s very important to get the air flow through and that obviously has become even more important since the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Banham.
Turbine Hall A has two huge windows that were bricked up during WWII, which was opened with the blessing of Historic England, to allow natural daylight to come into the building.
“This means that, during the day, particularly in the summer, we get massive savings on electricity and lighting,” says Banham.
BPS has achieved a 40% improvement in energy savings from the baseline and uses water management and monitoring technology, including monitored water consumption and the use of drought-
tolerant plants. Methods to harmonise indoor comfort and the use of low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint were also introduced, while waste recycling is encouraged, with the provision of recycle bins. Innovative green practices were adopted, including the use of renewable energy during construction, creating work opportunities for the local community and promoting wildlife preservation.
Banham says BPS is home to two Schedule 1 species — a pair of Peregrine Falcons and Black Redstarts. “We worked very hard on the biodiversity net gain of this site. The Peregrine Falcons have been living here since before the Malaysian consortium took over. They nest on the power station because it replicates the cliff faces of their natural habitat that allows them to dive and swoop for birds.
“Because they are Schedule 1 species, we can’t disturb their nests for about nine months out of a year, which was a problem for us during the construction phase. So, we built a temporary tower of the same height as their nest to encourage them to relocate. We placed mannequins on the roofs and the sound of the mannequins’ jackets flapping in the wind eventually pushed the falcons to move to the temporary tower.
“When the station was finished, we put a new falcon nest box in the Northwest watch tower. We could see the female falcon coming over to investigate the space. Eventually, she started dropping dead pigeons that she caught in it. Soon, they moved to their new home and we tore the temporary tower down.”
So far, the peregrines have fledged 22 juveniles. Meanwhile, the Black Redstarts have always been an annual breeder at BPS. Foraging areas have been allocated below the Peregrine Falcon nest and on the brown roofs at Circus West Village.
Banham has been with BPS for 17 years and has a deep understanding of and connection with the local community.
“The local community is really emotionally tied to BPS, even though many had never set foot in the building until October last year. They felt strongly about what they wanted it to be and how it would be repurposed,” she says.
Ultimately, the biggest challenge is the building itself.
“The power station was full of oil, coal and asbestos, all of which had to go. Then there was managing the whole construction process, thinking about the design and sustainability, how to get that segregation of shopping, office and homes. BPS was known as the Everest of property development for one reason — every company before the Malaysian shareholders went bust trying to restore the building,” says Banham.
The GreenRe team has certainly achieved much. As F D Iskandar says, “The team has shown that they can adapt to different conditions, weather, cultures and regulations. We have never dealt with heritage buildings before, and being able to certify an iconic building in London is something we can be proud of.”
SHAH ALAM (Jan 8): S P Setia Bhd’s Setia City Convention Centre has teamed up with Grab, F&N and KLEAN’s plastic upcycling initiative, to become the location partner for the first-ever Reversible Vending Machine (RVM) for recycling plastic food packaging in Setia Alam.
The sustainable initiative aims to redirect plastic food packaging waste away from the ocean and landfills, repurposing them into reusable items.
Located at the West Entrance of the convention centre, surrounding communities can drive-thru to drop off rinsed plastic food containers at the AI-enhanced smart recycling machine without the need of entering the parking lot.
Sponsored by Grab and F&N, users will gets rewards for recycling the plastic food containers via the KLEAN app.
Download the KLEAN app and collect points through recycling plastic containers and aluminium cans, regardless of sizes and shapes.
Accumulated points can be redeemed for various vouchers via the app, such as Grab vouchers, Touch ‘n Go credits and et cetera. The RVM operates daily from 9am to 9.30pm and is subject to change based on demand.
With every recyclable item deposited into the machine, Setia City Convention Centre will also receive 10% of the carbon offset score, which is reflected on the KLEAN dashboard.
“Food delivery is the new normal, and recycling larger and uniquely shaped plastic food containers has posed a challenge. We are excited to be part of Grab, F&N, and KLEAN’s initiative to encourage our communities to recycle their plastic food containers, promoting greener choices in their daily lives and making a collective contribution to a greener future for all,” said Datuk Yuslina Mohd Yunus, senior executive vice-president of S P Setia.
Setia City Convention Centre is the first Green Building Index Certified convention centre boasting various sustainable features such as a rainwater harvesting system, solar panels, EV charging station, energy-efficient LED lighting, and an Energy Management System to monitor and reduce utility consumption.
S P Setia Bhd’s cancellation of the land sale to Scientex Bhd in Johor is suprising and will slow down the group’s plan to de-gear but it could be a blessing in disguise, according to Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).
The research house said given the improving Johor property market outlook, it could allow S P Setia to price the land higher in the future.
“We revise our FY24-25 earnings forecasts downward by 40% and 6% respectively to factor in the cancellation of the land sale (and RM320 million gain).
“In our forecasts, we have already incorporated land sales to Mah Sing Group Bhd (MGSB MK, CP: MYR0.87, Not Rated) in Semenyih (500 acres; RM392 millionvalue) and KSL Holdings Bhd (KSL MK, CP: MYR1.25, Not Rated) in Setia Alam (18 acres; RM228 million).
“We understand that both buyers have managed to secure approvals from economic planning unit (EPU),” it said.
Its new TP is RM1.18, less 2 sen than the previous TP, on unchanged 0.4x FY24E PBV and it also maintains its BUY call.
Maybank IB said it is surprised with the cancellation as together with the land sales Semenyih and Setia Alam, this land disposal to Scientex was supposed to lower the group’s net gearing to 0.48x (SP Setia’s guidance), from 0.53x in Sept-end 2023.
The reason cited behind the cancellation was the non-fulfillment of condition precedent
“However, we are not overly bearish on this latest development. In our view, it could be a blessing in disguise given the rising demand for Johor properties.
“It is worth nothing that the land disposal agreement was signed before the announcement of special economic and financial zones in Iskandar Malaysia sometime in mid-July to Aug 2023.”
Maybank IB said there are several risks factors to its earning estimates and TP including slower-than-expected property sales and longer-than-expected downturn in the property sector, delay in obtaining the necessary approvals for its projects and slower progress billings in construction works.
SHAH ALAM (Jan 4): Setia AlamImpian celebrated the coming New Year with an Epic Finale countdown concert in the township’s LakePoint Club.
The concert was organised by S P Setia Bhd in conjunction with the soft opening of the township’s nature sanctuary, LakePoint Park, the communal hub, LakePoint Club and the retail component, LakePoint Central, which is set to be officially launched in 2024.
The countdown kicked off with percussionists No Noise Percussion, and performances by Vessel Liu and Santesh Kumar, as well as violin performance by violinist Endang Hyder.
The highlight of the night was “the electrifying performance” by Malaysia’s King of Rock, Dato’ Awie, with his all-time favourite hits such as “Peronda Jaket Biru”, “Romania”, “Sejati”, and “Ratuku”.
The concert culminated in “a stunning firework display and a mesmerising musical fountain show at the solar-powered LakePoint Park”, stated S P Setia in a media release.
“As we flip the final pages of 2023, we wish to give a shout-out to our communities for their unwavering support throughout the year. As promised, we have introduced our clubhouse and more retail spaces, catering to our community’s daily necessities. We are excited to unveil more commercial projects in the new year, as we continue to shape our township into a vibrant space where our community can live, learn, work, and play,” said Datuk Muhamad Zaili Muhammad Yusof, general manager of S P Setia at the event.
Strategically located in the proximity of Shah Alam, Klang, and Petaling Jaya, Setia AlamImpian spans 1,235 acres and is S P Setia’s latest flagship township, having undergone a significant transformation over the years.
“In 2023, we proudly introduced LakePoint Central and LakePoint Club, serving as the retail hub and clubhouse for the communities respectively,” added S P Setia.
KUALA LUMPUR: S P Setia Bhd has partnered Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Malaysia Sdn Bhd to develop two parcels of prime commercial land measuring 2.67 acres in Setia Federal Hill, Bangsar.
In a statement, the property developer said the joint venture represents a significant opportunity for it to expand its presence and establish a strong foothold in the Bangsar district.
The project will have an estimated gross development value of RM1.4bil and will comprise two residential towers of about 1,300 units.
The first tower of the project is slated for launch next year.
“The collaboration will not only bolster the project’s profile but also provide an exceptional opportunity for Setia to market to international clients.
“With their combined expertise and proven track records, the joint venture is poised to unlock the full potential of the development and redefine the skyline of Setia Federal Hill,” said SP Setia president and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai.
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 13): S P Setia Bhd is partnering with Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which operates the Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA, in a joint venture to develop two parcels of commercial land measuring 2.67 acres in Setia Federal Hill, Bangsar.
The development, which has an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM1.4 billion, will comprise two residential towers with approximately 1,300 units, with the first tower slated to be launched next year, according to a statement by S P Setia on Wednesday.
Its president and chief executive officer Datuk Choong Kai Wai said the collaboration will not only bolster the project’s profile but also provide an opportunity for S P Setia to market to international clients.
“This joint venture between S P Setia and Mitsui Fudosan is significant for both companies, as it brings together one of the country’s top developers and a distinguished property investment company in Malaysia.
“With their combined expertise and proven track records, the joint venture is poised to unlock the full potential of the development and redefine the skyline of Setia Federal Hill,” he said.
Setia Federal Hill, spanning 51.66 acres, is situated opposite KL Sentral, Malaysia’s largest integrated transport hub with a direct link to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and connects Kuala Lumpur City Centre to the rest of the Klang Valley townships.
As of June 30, 2023, S P Setia boasts a portfolio of 44 ongoing projects, supported by a robust land bank of 6,870 acres valued at a GDV of RM125.77 billion. Furthermore, the group’s total unbilled sales stood at RM6.82 billion.
For the cumulative nine-month period ended Sept 30, 2023 (9MFY2023), sales hit RM3.89 billion — surpassing the RM2.7 billion S P Setia achieved in the same period last year, thanks to land sales and stronger demand for its property offerings.
Revenue for the period rose 8.4% to RM2.98 billion from 2.75 billion in the previous year’s corresponding period, while net profit was RM150.3 million against RM217.8 million last year.
KOTA KINABALU (Dec 11): S P Setia Foundation celebrated Christmas in advance with the communities in need in Sabah when Setia Corporate Volunteers from Setia Aeropod, Sabah, visited Grace Old Folks Home Care Centre and Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital recently.
This effort that focused on two vulnerable communities, the elderly and children, is part of S P Setia Bhd’s principle of ‘Leave No One Behind’ from the 2030 Agenda for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Also attending the events were Datuk Yuslina Mohd Yunus, management committee of S P Setia Foundation and senior executive vice president of S P Setia, Adelene Wong, management committee of S P Setia Foundation and head of Group Branding & Communications for S P Setia and Sha’ari Hanapi, general manager of Setia Aeropod, Sabah.
“It’s the season of giving, a time to express solidarity to those in need, hence we want to give back to those who truly need it. We’re thankful for the support from the Setia Aeropod team. It’s moving to know that the foundation is not alone in helping the underserved communities; it takes a collective effort to build a more inclusive and cohesive Malaysia,” said Yuslina.
At Grace Old Folks Home Care Centre, the volunteers hung new curtains, decorated the premise with Christmas décor, while serenading the residents with an impromptu Christmas carol session.
S P Setia Foundation distributed gift baskets to 24 residents of the home which included personal care items such as blankets and sanitary items as well as food items contributed by Setia Aeropod. S P Setia-owned Amari Kuala Lumpur also contributed branded toiletry kits.
Bringing the enchanted Christmas experience to the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital, one of the Setia Corporate Volunteers made a surprise appearance as Santa to amuse the children. The foundation also distributed gift bags containing stationery, toys, and snacks sponsored by Setia Aeropod, to the children and parents.
“Even the smallest act of kindness can have a lasting impact on the lives of those in need,” said Wong. She highlighted the foundation’s commitment to social responsibility, stating that “Our efforts extend beyond constructing buildings; we create sustainable communities, supporting and contributing to the local and surrounding communities we serve, and this programme is meant for our communities in Sabah.”
KLANG (Dec 8): Responding to high demand in the local housing market, S P Setia launched Laelia III over the weekend, the third phase of affordable landed residential units in Setia Bayuemas.
This comes after the successful full take-up of non-bumi units in Laelia and Laelia II in the February and September 2023 launches.
Sprawling 10.13 acres, the freehold double-storey terrace home collection comprises 83 exclusive units for sale and is slated for completion in December 2025. With an estimated gross development value at RM73,441,000, Laelia III offers “a brand-new definition of contemporary living with a touch of nature”, stated S P Setia in a media release.
“Laelia III terrace house stands out with a more spacious built-up area ranging from 1,850 to 1,953 sq ft and 1,888 to 2,060 sq ft, providing affordability with prices ranging from RM838,000 to RM1.15 million,” it added.
Each unit is also equipped with a backyard and a concealed air conditioner ledge on the front facade for a clean and aesthetic appearance.
Laelia III comprises two distinct designs. With RT1, a larger living area is accompanied by a designated foyer, providing an entrance into the living space for a harmonious transition from the outside to the home.
In RT2, the living area features a sliding door that opens up to a side terrace. Homebuyers have the option to enhance the view by adding landscaping to the pocket terrace, visually extending the living space and connecting residents to the verdant surroundings.
Embracing sustainability in modern day living, Laelia III also features a special compartment for parcel and food delivery, rainwater harvesting system for non-potable activities and many more.
“Located just a stone’s throw from the township’s award-winning park, Setia Bayuemas Lake Park, the neighborhood is enveloped by lush greenery, offering an ideal setting for outdoor escapades and leisurely strolls with captivating views of the scenic lake,” stated S P Setia.
Razly Mohammad Rus, divisional general manager of S P Setia, emphasised that Laelia III is designed to meet the needs of young and expanding families, as well as those seeking to upgrade to a more spacious home within a convenient township.
“Laelia III features four bedrooms with en suite bathrooms as well as a dedicated family area, making it ideal for large or multi-generational families. Statistics reveal that there is more than one car in every household in Klang Valley. To accommodate the growing demand for larger parking space, the units are equipped with an expansive car porch design capable ofholding up to four cars in tandem parking,” added Razly.
Setia Bayuemas offers a diverse range of residences, comprising apartments, landed terraces, cluster homes, semi-detached, and bungalows. It also features a mix of commercial and retail spaces, exemplified by the newly launched Bayu Avenue shop offices.
KOTA KINABALU (Dec 4): The S P Setia Foundation recently organised the “Sincerely, Setia Tuition Mission in Sabah: Pecutan Akhir SPM” week-long (Nov 27 to Dec 1) workshop for underprivileged students at Space 8, Setia Aeropod.
The Sabah State Education Department has also been supporting this programme, which aligns “with the foundation’s third Trust Object, aiming to bridge the educational gap among disadvantaged students and inspire them to strive for a better future”, stated S P Setia in a media release.
The event saw a total of 120 B40 students who are preparing for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination who come come from various Sabah high schools, including SMK Petagas, SMK Bahang, SMK Tansau, SMK Kinarut, and SMK Likas.
To improve the students’ chances of passing the SPM, the workshop specifically targeted B40 students falling under the “HARAPAN LULUS” category.
The students received guidance from a team of expert teachers known as “Guru Cemerlang”, who focused on core subjects such as Malay, English, Mathematics, and History. The workshop included intensive tuition and valuable tips and hacks, as well as motivational talks.
Parents were also invited to join the motivational talk with their children to gain insights into various career paths.
Several Setia Corporate Volunteers also shared their life stories and working experiences at Setia in the “Inspirasi Pagi” sessions held each morning.
Puan Hajah Nurani Fauziah Derin, deputy director (Learning Sector) of the Sabah Education Department, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between corporate sectors and government agencies in positively impacting the lives of needy students. She commended the S P Setia Foundation, TeamSetia from Setia Aeropod, and all parties involved in making this noble initiative a significant success.
Meanwhile, Datuk Yuslina Mohd Yunus, management committee of S P Setia Foundation and senior executive vice president of S P Setia Bhd, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to social responsibility. She emphasised that education is the cornerstone for building a better future and thanked the “Guru Cemerlang” for their dedication in guiding the students. With only 60 days left until the SPM examination, she expressed confidence that the workshop equipped the students to reach their goals and aspirations.
Adelene Wong, management committee of S P Setia Foundation and head of Group Branding & Communications for S P Setia, shared that the foundation had previously organised the Tuition Mission programme in collaboration with Pertubuhan Urus Peduli Asnaf KL & Selangor (PUSPA) in the Klang Valley with zakat funds from Perumahan Kinrara Bhd, a subsidiary of S P Setia. She expressed their pleasure in expanding their reach to B40 students in Sabah and their aspiration to host more transformative programmes in Sabah soon.
Sha’ari Hanapi, general manager of Setia Aeropod, Sabah, officiated the workshop.
The foundation also presented tokens of appreciation to Puan Hajah Nurani, the five participating schools’ principals, teachers, chaperons, students, parents and three education district officers.