BANDAR BUKIT RAJA, Friday, 3 May 2013  Sime Darby Property Berhad has launched the first phase of its Affordable Homes in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang, today, in support of the Government s initiatives to address the need for affordable homes in the country s economic centres.

The Sime Darby Property Affordable Homes is an initiative carried out in collaboration with the Government s Project Perumahan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (PR1MA). Through this partnership, Sime Darby Property is supporting the Government s efforts to ensure that the rakyat has the opportunity to own a house.

Phase 1 of the Sime Darby Property Affordable Homes in Bandar Bukit Raja is made up of 321 units of double-storey terrace homes. The built-up area of these 3-bedroom, 1 utility room & 3-bathroom homes are between 1,310 square feet (sq. ft) and 1,380 sq. ft and will be priced below RM400, 000, which is lower than the normal market price. Sime Darby Property plans to build a total of 2,090 units of affordable homes in this township by 2016.

In line with its vision to become a leading developer of sustainable communities, Sime Darby Property s Affordable Homes in Bandar Bukit Raja will feature elements that promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles. Amenities in the development include green areas with natural vegetation, reflexology paths, basketball and futsal courts as well as children s playground.

Phase 1 of Sime Darby Property s Affordable Homes in Bandar Bukit Raja was launched by YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Also present at the launch ceremony were as many as 5,000 people comprising residents of the communities in Klang, Sime Darby Prime Programme and loyal customers, Sime Darby employees as well as Government and State officials.

Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad said,  We aim to leverage on Sime Darby Property s well-proven track record and expertise in developing sustainable townships to develop and deliver quality affordable homes to Malaysians.

According to Dato Wahab Maskan, Group Chief Operating Officer of Sime Darby Berhad and Managing Director of Sime Darby Property Berhad, Sime Darby Property will further enhance the mobility of future residents.  This will be achieved by incorporating innovative elements in our affordable housing development. This includes transit-oriented developments or TODs, which maximises the residents access to public transport systems in and around the community, he explained.

Dato Wahab Maskan also highlighted that Sime Darby Property has selected Bandar Bukit Raja to be the first in Selangor to have affordable homes. This is Sime Darby Property s first major township development in North Klang.

The development is in close proximity to the Klang Sentral Transportation Hub. Bandar Bukit Raja is also surrounded by established industrial mixed development, with easy access to a number of major highways including the North Klang Valley Expressway via Setia Alam, Jalan Meru and Bukit Raja Toll Plaza; Federal Highway via the North Klang Straits Bypass Highway (formerly known as Shapadu Highway); and the New North Klang Straits Bypass. Bandar Bukit Raja is touted to be the next township destination in this region.

Our quality affordable homes in Bandar Bukit Raja are located within a maturing area that is growing in market value. The value of the residential, commercial and industrial properties has risen at least 100% in the last 10 years, which translates to a 10% rise per annum.

The affordable homes are priced considerably less than the market value, thus presenting a gem of an opportunity for qualified home buyers to own and enjoy the potential value increment, Dato' Wahab concluded.

Sime Darby Property saw the inaugural launch of its affordable homes programme in Bandar Ainsdale, Seremban in 2011. Also officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the affordable homes in Bandar Ainsdale consist of 423 homes, which include landed and strata double-storey terrace homes and townhouses.

Sime Darby Property plans to build a total of 21,120 units of affordable homes by the end of 2016. Approximately half of these will be landed properties. These homes will be located in major urban or sub-urban areas with a gross built-up area of 800 to 1,400 sq. ft.