22/01/2026

PROPERTY THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

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‘Power pinch’ to be key driver in Johor real estate: Juwai IQI

“Third, we advise that investors not try to build trophy CBD office towers but instead concentrate on office projects near decentralised tech hubs. Think of locations like Bangsar South, the fringe of KL Sentral, Damansara Heights, or Cyberjaya. With the growth in AI and AI-adjacent employment, office properties in these locations will see strong demand and deliver relatively high returns on investment,” When it comes to residential development, Ansari said an overlooked opportunity is to build homes near concentrations of AI and data centre jobs, such as in Johor, Cyberjaya, or Penang. “If you make your properties rental friendly and ensure they have high-speed fibre to the premises for internet service, you will be able to target mid-income to high-income tech professionals. This is a growing market with relatively low turnover,” he added. “The final of our five strategies is to let the timing of new infrastructure projects guide your own timeline. The completion of new infrastructure will drive new demand and allow you to raise your pricing. So, aim to build your projects in line with the schedule for new electrical grid and water upgrades, or in line with the completion of other projects that will reshape demand like the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS,” he remarked. “In summary, in 2026, Ansari said the real estate market will be shaped by access to power and water. Infrastructure will be a main driver of value. Developers and investors who plan around it will earn the highest profits.

market. One example of the high quality investment we are receiving is the 209,000 sq ft research facility that US semiconductor company AMD opened in Penang last August. “Tech giants are attracted by Malaysia’s pro-growth policies, relatively cheap land and power, and strategic location in Southeast Asia. These factors have made Malaysia the site of more than two-thirds of all of the data centre capacity now being built in Southeast Asia. “Malaysia has even launched its own AI Language Model known as Intelek Luhur Malaysia Untukmu (ILMU). When working in Bahasa Malaysia and Manglish, this local model outperforms global leaders like Gemini and ChatGPT,” he said. He added that even new projects that have received approval are being held up until they obtain sufficient utility access. “This is what I like to call the ‘power pinch,’ and it will create opportunities for developers and investors, which I’ll explain shortly. Juwai IQI has developed five strategies to help real estate developers and investors profit rather than struggle in a market where infrastructure is becoming a bottleneck.”

The strategies are to control infrastructure-ready land, build for a wide range of possible users, focus on office projects near decentralised tech hubs, invest in residential projects near data centre clusters and infrastructure, and let infrastructure guide your timing. By seeking land that already has certain access to power and water, you avoid the risk of being delayed. Also, AI operators are willing to pay more for land where they can most quickly get their new data centres up and running. Speed to being live is more important to them than saving some money on the land purchase. “Our second tip relates to how you design and build your project. Instead of building to the minimum standards of a basic industrial tenant, we advise developers to build for a range of potential users. That means increasing things like floor loading, ceiling height, power redundancy, and cooling capacity. That will ensure you get the best possible return. Rather than just a traditional industrial user, you may be able to attract more remunerative users like data centre, chip testing, or advanced manufacturing,” said Ansari.

o Data centre boom set to strain electricity and water supply, reshaping southern region’s development sector, says co-founder and CEO

KUALA is experiencing world-leading growth across data centres, industrial estates, offices, and housing, but in 2026 the defining theme will be the battle to obtain access to power and water. That is according to new data and insights released recently by Juwai IQI co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari. “First, let’s look at the big picture of what this means, before we get into the details,” he said. “Every form of property development requires water and electricity. It just so happens that Malaysia is in the midst of a data centre boom at the moment, which is vital for economic growth. But it’s also true that a single large data centre can draw about the same as amount of electricity as hundreds or thousands of households,” he added. He said while a typical Malaysian uses about 245 litres of water per day, Tropicana’s Hana Residences hits triple milestones LUMPUR: Johor PETALING JAYA: Tropicana Aman, the 863-acre township by Tropicana Corporation Bhd, recently hit three key milestones. Hana Residences, the final residential phase of Tropicana Aman, recorded a strong 100% take-up rate, achieved early completion, and earned a high 85% Quality Assessment System in Construction score. As a 4-star rated ESG corporation, Tropicana emphasises green and sustainable living, providing a holistic living environment that integrates nature with work-live-play-shop-learn components. Tropicana marketing & sales and business development managing director Ixora Ang said, “Since 2012, Tropicana envisioned a sustainable and wholesome township for the Kota Kemuning community. This 12 year-in-the-making Tropicana Aman masterplan rolled out its first phase in 2015, recording a 100% sold within a year. This was followed by other successful residential phases, commercial developments, an 85-acre central park with a 7km walking and biking trail, as well as private and public schools. Today, we are very pleased to continue the success story of Tropicana Aman with the early completion of Hana Residences.” All units within Hana Residences are equipped with 4+1 bedrooms, 5+1 bedrooms, and 7+1 bedrooms with a minimum of three car park spaces.

some of the less efficient data centers can use millions of litres of water per day to keep their equipment cool. “Both the federal and state governments are working quickly to fix the shortfall. Even so, in 2026, the demand for electricity and water will still increase more quickly than the new supply. This year, data centres will account for up to 90% of all new power demand in the country,” he pointed out. Last year, Ansari said the global boom in artificial intelligence (AI) fuelled unprecedented demand for AI-centric data centres to handle the computing load. The amount of money involved is unprecedented. For example, Microsoft said it is investing roughly US$80 billion (RM325 billion) and ChatGPT creator OpenAI is spending US$500 billion on AI infrastructure. “Malaysia as a key global player has Asia’s fastest-growing data centre

Artist’s impression of a limited edition collection of three-storey bungalows with elevated design and generous living spaces.

IJM Land launches Phase 4 of Ridge View @ Puchong

Banking & Finance IJM Land has introduce Phase 4 of Ridge View @ Puchong, an exclusive release comprising 16 units of three PETALING JAYA: In a rapidly evolving township like Puchong, where development has accelerated and density continues to shape the urban landscape, many families are seeking a home that offers a sense of distinction. A place with real spaciousness, a calmer living environment and an address that feels composed even as the city grows. Ridge View @ Puchong was created with this in mind, and its latest phase presents this vision at its most elevated level.

take-up rates, with Phase 1 reaching 90% and Phase 2 and Phase 3 achieving around 80%. Chai said, “The response across the phases reinforces our belief that families are looking for residences that feel grounded, well-connected and crafted with intention. Phase 4 reflects this progression and strengthens Ridge View’s position as one of Puchong’s most distinguished residential enclaves.” Registration for Phase 4 is now open ahead of its official launch in Q1’26. Construction is expected to be completed in Q1’28.

work or private time. With 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, the interior configuration supports multi-generational living with ease. “Families today want a residence that gives them space, security and seamless access,” said IJM Land chief operating officer Datuk Chai Kian Soon. “Phase 4 brings these elements together in a very considered way. The bungalows offer the scale, thoughtful planning and enduring comfort that homeowners expect from a distinguished hilltop address.” Earlier releases of the double storey link villas recorded encouraging

storey bungalows designed for homeowners who value expansive interiors and the assurance of an elevated residential setting. The phase comes with a GDV of RM44,868,800, reflecting the strong preference for low-density and well planned homes within one of Selangor’s most established growth corridors. Priced from RM2,740,800 onwards, each unit sits on a 45 x 86ft land area and offers a built-up of 3,601 sq ft, with a layout that allows homeowners to arrange different areas according to their needs – whether for gatherings,

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