KLK hopes to create everlasting value added homes that are sustainable

KLK Land Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk David Tan at the property gallery.

Each developer has a unique reason for their creations. A handful may focus solely on luxury while others prefer to build affordable properties or even properties that hold a certain trademark in architectural design.

As for KLK Land Sdn Bhd (KLK Land), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Bhd, executive director Datuk David Tan Thean Thye explained that the company has envisioned longevity for the long haul, and create vibrant communities in well-planned townships.

“Our roots come from Malaysian incorporated plantation company founded in 1906, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. In the 1990s, the group decided to capitalise on the strategic location of its land bank, thus entering into a joint-venture (JV) which culminated in the development of Sierramas back in 1990,” Tan explained.

After the success of the township, KLK Land developed the 203-acre Desa Coalfields Township in Sungai Buloh. It was completed in 2011 and is now entirely sold.

A couple of years down the road, KLK Land began developing Bandar Seri Coalfields, which is currently 50% developed with over 1,600 units completed and delivered to date.

More recently, the developer entered another JV with developer UEM Sunrise Bhd for development in Gerbang Iskandar Puteri and Kulai in 2014.

As of now, KLK Land holds a landbank of 250,000 hectares for plantation, with just 5% being allocated for property development. It is spread mainly within Klang Valley and Iskandar Johor.

The majority of ongoing developments by the company are focused in the Klang Valley (Sungai Buloh in Greater KL North) and Iskandar Johor.

According to Tan, “These locales were chosen mainly because these areas have been identified as the next growth areas and are considered as strategic.”

“As a developer, we develop comprehensive townships with a wide range of products catering to different levels of society, blending affordability with good quality products, environments and social sustainability.

“We emphasise on having good connectivity, safety and security as well as a complete range of amenities which include town parks, schools, clinics, F&B outlets, commercial centres, hypermarkets, and even a clubhouse for recreation within our township development,” said Tan.

Last year, the company handed over the keys to buyers for their two-storey terraces in Ixora Residences and also Hibiscus 2. Both of the developments are located within the master plan township of Bandar Seri Coalfields with Hibiscus 2 even being part of the Rumah Selangorku initiative.

When asked about what the property market would look like in 2018, Tan said, “The property market will remain challenging in 2018 with the rise in the cost of living and tight financing policies.”

“In 2018, GLCs are expected to build more affordable homes, while family-based developers may take the opportunity to plan for the long term, to ensure that property products will be ready for launch when the market recovers,” added Tan.