Results from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) show that the second half of 2018 was indeed better than the first half but the momentum did not continue. The first half of 2019 slowed down somewhat. Volume of transactions show that 2H2018 increased from 148,889 (1H2018) transactions to 163,973 transactions. However, the 1H2019 transactions show a slight dip to 169,173 transactions, albeit higher than the corresponding period of 1H2018. The value of transactions relate the same story: from RM67.7 billion (1H2017) 72.6 billion (2H2018) to RM68.5 billion (1H2019).

Sadly, the recovery that was expected in 2018 and 2019 did not materialise. However, the situation did not get any worse. The property market continued to be stable.

Much was expected from the new government in the uplift in the economy and the implementation of development projects. We note that the government is still trying to improve the economic situation. Several large projects were cancelled or re-negotiated or were put on hold.

The political situation also did not help. Uncertainties in various areas affected the business environment. There is still a cautious mood in the real estate sector.

The overhang situation has been highlighted again, even to the extent to claim that the current situation is becoming worse. Several ministries within the government have engaged themselves in overcoming this situation. Although the situation may not have been as bad as it was in 1999, the current players are becoming more vigilant.

Global situation did not help much either, the international contrasting policies of the United States and China, continue to loom high and create more uncertainties for this part of the region.

It cannot be denied that the real estate sector plays strong role in the economy of the nation and the new government has unravelled a host of packages towards bringing a more orderly real estate development and towards reducing the burgeoning inventory of unsold properties .

Calls have been made by professional bodies that more research, more big data analysis and more transparent sharing of information are more essential today than they were in the past. There is a dire need for the active players, lending institutions, government agencies, implementers to work together in ensuring that the scarce real estate resources are utilised as they should and wastage of any form must be contained.

The Ringgit has been worsening over a long period, the oil palm prices have started picking up a bit but generally the economy internationally and in Malaysia has been slow. The questions we posed last year continue to plaque us this year. Are we seeing a fundamental improvement in our economy and is the property market supported by strong fundamentals? Are we going to see an upward swing? What measures are needed to contain overhang? How can the government play a key role in ensuring affordable housing? Is the property market poised to ride on the general growth of the economy? What factors must the major players look into? What regions will grow? What sectors will take off? Or are we in for a continued sluggish non-directional move in the real property sector?

Our speakers will address some of the ills affecting the market. This will be bolstered by data and information from the real experts in the real estate industry. Hear the experts discuss.
Also dealing in detail on the commercial office and retail markets are experts who use their very exhaustive data banks and research departments to analyse and provide a framework for easy understanding and careful decision making.
These are some of the areas that will be discussed in depth at the 13th Malaysian Property Summit this February 2020. For these reasons it will remain one of the most anticipated events each year. Analysts, developers, bankers, Government organisations have always been keen supporters of this event.
This is the Summit of the property market, for the property world, by the property people put together by the very industry people, to whom property people turn to when they need advice, consultation, research and analysis, testimony, professional opinion, expert witness and evidence, support and prognostication on the property market.
The Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents & Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia (PEPS), the body that represents the reputable and established private valuation and consultancy practices, has come together to provide the Malaysian Property World with the width and depth of its accumulated research and analysis, prognosticate for this coming year, 2020, the expectations of movements, fluctuations and changes that can be expected to happen in the property market, and the reasons for it.
The objective of this Summit, as in previous years, is to present to the Malaysian Property Industry and players an authoritative view of the state of the real estate industry. As valuers, land economists, property consultants, real estate investment analysts, and, by and large, the only people trained and paid to judge the market and the outcomes, and the only people who have an in-depth knowledge of what is happening in the market, the speakers would be able to tell the world at large exactly what has been happening, and how the market is to behave and perform. The databases of the major property consultancy firms will be thoroughly examined and in-depth research built into the prognostications that will be presented by the industry’s key idea-men.
We have identified experts who specialises in a particular property sector to provide the participants with the best answers to questions asked or lurking in the minds of bankers, developers, analysts, investors, decision makers, institutional agents, fund managers and others.

For each sector, each speaker will do the following:-

• Outline the historical background with data and analysis;
• Geographical spread and classifications;
• Relative importance to the industry;
• Relationship to the economy and market;
• Highlight the last three years’ activities;
• Give an opinion on what has happened including an analysis of the drivers affecting it;
• Outline the key drivers that will drive the market in the future;
• State his opinion on what direction the market will take based on his analysis.

The 13th Malaysian Property Summit 2019 is a Property Conference not to be missed and we look forward to your attendance.