An artist’s impression of an aerial view of Mah Sing’s Southville City in Bangi.

WHEN Mah Sing Group Bhd embarks on a project, the property developer is always finding ways to enhance the value of its developments.

One of those ways, says group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum, is to invest in additional infrastructure developments for its projects.

“Infrastructure investment is important for a location to thrive. It connects people to entertainment and food, connects residents to their homes, and connects workers to their jobs,” he tells StarBizWeek.

Among the company’s latest infrastructure developments is the interchange at its maiden township project, Southville City, in Bangi. Slated for completion by the first quarter of 2018, Leong says the interchange will help minimise travel-time to the township.

“This interchange will allow easy access to the area and it drastically reduces the driving distance into Southville City and its neighbouring districts such as Dengkil, Sepang, Semenyih, Bangi, by approximately 6km if compared to the current access via Bangi toll and 4km for North bound via Putra Mahkota exit.”

He adds that the completion of the interchange will bring more vibrancy to Southville City, as more new shops open for businesses.

“Once completed, the interchange will attract reputable business and service entities such as clinics, malls and various retail companies to carry out operations and benefit from increased visibility. Businesses will also benefit from the ready catchment of residents in Savanna Executive Suites and Avens Residence.”

HSR boost: Leong says the HSR will enhance the connectivity and accessibility of Southville City.

Leong says Mah Sing envisions Southville City to be a sustainable development that stems from population growth, interconnectivity of society, transportation, facilities and economy.

“This infrastructure upgrading will provide easy access into the development, thus enhancing its connectivity with adjoining areas and other major cities. This will in turn create attraction for investments to start flowing in and further progress will start taking shape within the project.”

Leong says the investment into the interchange was “significant”.

“We know that infrastructure investment is a powerful engine for growth, so this is why we will always provide our buyers with the best living conditions that place a strong emphasis on accessibility and connectivity, thus enhancing the value of the project.”

Southville City is a freehold masterplanned township with a gross development value (GDV) of RM11.1bil.

Leong says Mah Sing has plans to capitalise on Southville City’s strategic location, making it a tourism hub in the future.

“The township sits in between Seremban/Nilai and KL. Southville City would be the ideal place for incoming tourists as it is the first stop from the airport.”

Leong also highlighted that an upcoming High Speed Railway (HSR) transit station for Putrajaya, just 7km away from the township, will be completed in 2026.

“It will definitely enhance the connectivity and accessibility of Southville City. This will enable the residents to enjoy an improved travel experience and shorter travel time to Singapore. The connectivity will also enable businesses to be more productive and access a broader marketplace.”

He says the group is investing in infrastructure developments for other projects as well.

“For our Icon City project in Petaling Jaya, we have developed a slip road and an elevated U-turn ramp from Lebuhraya Persekutuan 2 (Federal Highway) westbound to KL, with direct access into Icon City. It was completed in 2016 and is currently in use.”

“For our M Vertica development in Cheras, we are also proposing to develop an elevated ramp straight to the parking space of M Vertica.”

Leong says the group has also constructed a road in and out of its Southbay development in Penang, which directly connects to the Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

“This expressway is currently being extended to Southbay’s area as part of Penang’s upgrading work to improve connectivity. Upon completion, users can directly access to Georgetown.

“We are also upgrading Jalan Muzium Perang by widening it to a two-lane road so residents can have an alternative road to access to the expressway. We will also develop a new circulation road within the township to improve accessibility to Southbay Plaza,” he says.

Down south in Johor, particularly its Meridian East development, Leong says Mah Sing is developing a connecting road into the Tanjung Langsat – Cahaya Baru Toll Connecting Highway, which forms part of the Senai Desaru Expressway.

“The connecting road comprises an egress and ingress into the Tanjung Langsat-Cahaya Baru Toll Connecting Highway which will allow traffic to flow between the Jalan Kong Kong and Masai area to Tanjung Langsat and Pasir Gudang.”

Leong says Mah Sing is also developing an access road from Johor Baru East Coast Highway to its Meridin Bayvue development in Johor.

“This is a new additional plan that we have put in motion to enhance the connectivity for our buyers and the surrounding communities.”

Adding upgrades to its developments helps boost the value of its properties, says Leong.

“Infrastructure development is an integral part of our plan. We will always invest in facilities, amenities and infrastructures to enhance the lives of our customers.

“The value of properties tends to appreciate over time. Obviously, a good location will command higher value. But with infrastructure upgrades and good public transportations within the vicinity, it will help to increase the value of the property and also properties in neighbouring areas.”

As at Nov 30, Mah Sing has 2,131 acres of land bank with remaining GDV and unbilled sales of RM28.3bil.

Last week, the company announced that it plans to increase its land bank in the Klang Valley to 75% from the current 66%. This year, the group acquired two land parcels in the Klang Valley and one in Bukit Mertajam.