Malaysia has dramatically improved in the ease of doing business over the past few years, as it jumped from the 25th spot in 2007 to sixth for 2014 in World Bank's Doing Business Report. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said the progress served as a testimony to the country's attractiveness as a destination of choice for investment and trade to both local and foreign investors.

Houses offered under the 1Malaysia People's Housing (PR1MA) programme can be made cheaper, if only state governments agree to provide the land for free, according to Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan. “If the land is provided free of charge, of course, house prices can be lowered,” he said, noting that land accounts for one of the highest cost in housing development.

Melbourne-based SPEC Property has opened an office in Malaysia, to mark its maiden foray into the Asean region. Robert Evans, its International Business Manager, noted that the opening of the Pan-Asean SPEC Property office was timely considering the growing number of customers from this region that are residing in Melbourne.

With the upcoming Budget 2014 expected to introduce stricter policies for the property sector, several property developers convened together at the first ever PropertyGuru Developers' Forum to share their views on the situation. Organised and moderated by Asia's leading online property portal, PropertyGuru.com.my, the closed door forum was held at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya on 12 September. Malaysia Property Incorporated (MPI), along with prominent developers such as Austin Heights, Andaman and Binastra participated the event.