Mutiara Goodyear lauds RPGT

KUALA LUMPUR: Mutiara Goodyear Development Bhd believes the Government’s proposal to reimpose the 5% real property gains tax (RPGT) from Jan 1 next year will give certainty and market clarity to the property industry.

Chief executive officer Kee Cheng Teik said these values were important especially for potential foreign investors.

“It (the RPGT) was temporary waived but is now going to be tabled and this will give a clear picture to potential investors. Plus, the 5% figure is not really big,” he told a press conference after the company AGM yesterday.

He also said the RPGT was not going to give much impact to the company as its buyers were mostly resident-owners rather than investors.

It was reported that under Budget 2010, the RPGT would be imposed on gains from the disposal of real property irrespective of the holding period and category of owner.

Prior to the exemption of the RPGT in April 2007, tax on gains from property sales was on a progressive basis from 0% to 30%, depending on the holding period of the property.

On the performance of the company, Kee said Mutiara would launch RM1.5bil worth of properties starting next month until the end of next year.

“The launches will be mixed developments that are mostly residential. Five projects will be in the Klang Valley and two in Penang.

However, the launching dates will depend on the timing factor and market conditions,” he said.

Kee said the company had an undeveloped land bank of about 890 acres with future gross development value of about RM4.2bil.

Executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah said it was important for the company to come up with products that really suited the demand and needs of buyers at this time of uncertainty.

The property market sentiment had started picking up again since June, he said, adding: “We hope this positive sign will continue and we at Mutiara will continue to come up with quality and affordable products that will give value for money to our buyers.”

By The Star