Iconic Marjorie Penang today announced the launch of an official collaboration with Sanrio Southeast Asia, a global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty and beloved characters like Kuromi and Cinnamoroll.

The collaboration will see the launch of Hello Kitty, Kuromi and Cinnamoroll-themed hotel rooms and a Sanrio characters Afternoon Tea Experience at Iconic Marjorie Penang, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, combining Malaysia’s Peranakan heritage and Japanese pop culture to deliver an immersive, unforgettable hospitality experience. Each character will inspire a uniquely designed guestroom with Peranakan elements, contributing to an overall guest journey that extends beyond accommodation to include themed dining and interactive experiences.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase official Sanrio characters merchandise available at the hotel, including bathrobes, bath towels, toiletries, stationery, teapot, teacups, saucer and many more.

On Saturday, the official launch of the collaboration was held at Iconic Marjorie Penang, witnessed by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang, YBhrs. Mr Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, YB Phee Syn Tze, ADUN Sungai Puyu, Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh, former Penang State Executive Councillor, Kohei Imai, Chief Operating Officer of Sanrio Southeast Asia, and Andree Susilo, Vice President of Hotel Development, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

Katherine Tan, Executive Director, Iconic Marjorie Penang said:

“We are proud to announce Iconic Marjorie Penang’s official collaboration with Sanrio, which represents the first Sanrio characters Peranakan-themed rooms and afternoon tea experience in Southeast Asia.

​This collaboration is the result of a trusted partnership that has grown over the past four years. Our journey with Sanrio characters began with the launch of our medical face masks, followed by festival gift sets, and later our Iconic Babycare diapers and wipes. Through these collaborations, we built a strong relationship based on mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to quality.

​As we developed the vision for Iconic Marjorie Penang, a Modern Peranakan hotel, we saw an opportunity to create something truly unique. The idea for this collaboration was initiated by Iconic and Sanrio together—to blend Penang’s rich Peranakan heritage with Sanrio’s beloved characters in a way that had never been done before.

​The result is the first Sanrio characters Peranakan-themed rooms and afternoon tea experience in Southeast Asia, combining heritage, creativity, and unforgettable guest experiences.

​We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Marriott International for its support and confidence in this collaboration. Their encouragement and partnership have been instrumental in helping bring this unique concept to life.”

​Kohei Imai, Chief Operating Officer of Sanrio Southeast Asia, said:

We are delighted to partner with Iconic Marjorie Penang to introduce the first Sanrio characters Peranakan-themed rooms and afternoon tea experience in Southeast Asia. By bringing together the timeless charm of Sanrio characters and Penang’s rich Peranakan heritage, this collaboration allows guests of all ages to experience our characters in a unique and memorable way.

Guided by our vision of ‘One World, Connecting Smiles,’ we hope this experience creates joyful memories while celebrating the creativity and cultural storytelling that make Penang so special.

We are grateful to Iconic Marjorie Penang for their partnership in bringing this one-of-a-kind experience to life.”

​Pauline Chua, Group General Manager of Iconic Marjorie Penang, said:

“At Iconic Marjorie Penang, our identity is deeply rooted in Penang’s Peranakan heritage, celebrating culture and warm hospitality, while Sanrio characters, from Japan, has inspired generations around the world through themes of friendship, kindness, happiness and imagination.

Hence, we are excited to unveil our collaboration with Sanrio Southeast Asia, bridging two brands that share common values through hospitality.

Together, we have brought together the best of both worlds. Malaysia – represented through Iconic Marjorie Penang’s Peranakan-inspired architecture, interiors, storytelling and guest experiences – and Japan, represented through Sanrio’s iconic characters, timeless design language and joyful spirit.

​With creatively designed guestrooms, curated dining experiences and storytelling, we invite our guests into a world where imagination, culture and meaningful memories come together. We look forward to welcoming families and guests of all ages to join us at Iconic Marjorie for this one-of-a-kind experience.”

​Hello Kitty celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and is one of the world’s best-known cartoon characters. A Hello Kitty movie is set for global release in 2028, marking the character’s Hollywood debut. In recent years, newer Sanrio characters like Cinnamoroll – a gentle, dreamy and comforting blue-eyed white puppy with pink cheeks, big ears and a curly tail – and Kuromi  – a girly, mischievous rabbit known for her black hood and the pink motif on her forehead, have also achieved global superstardom, bringing happiness and friendship to people of all ages.

About Nyaman Mutiara Utama Light Industrial Park

A light industrial park by Nyaman Mutiara Sdn. Bhd. in the vicinity of Nyaman Mutiara Light Industrial Park in Bayan Lepas. Situated along Jalan Sungai Tiram 1, this project is located just across the road from SMJK Heng Ee and less than 2km away from Penang International Airport. It shares its neighborhood with several ongoing high-rise housing developments by Ideal Property, including Havana Beach Residences, Maldives Residences, and Lucerne Residences.

Find out more about Nyaman Mutiara Utama Light Industrial Park

Over 1,000 visitors attended the sales gallery opening of The Rimbun

PTL Properties officially opened the new sales gallery for its latest development, The Rimbun, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, welcoming more than 1,000 guests to the launch event.

The celebration commenced with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a lion dance performance that added a festive atmosphere to the occasion.

Guests enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the day, including game stalls, an Aistru Coffee booth and complimentary fresh coconuts. Two alpacas were also featured at the event, allowing visitors to interact with the animals and capture memorable photographs.

The launch event was further enhanced by the participation of key opinion leaders (KOLs) Sai, Bernice, Vikram and Zomic, who joined the celebration and engaged with visitors. Guests also enjoyed an entertaining talk show featuring BBK Lucas and Kah Mun, which added another highlight to the programme.

Bacfree, the provider of The Rimbun’s centralised water-filtration system, also set up a booth at the event to explain the concept, features and benefits of centralised water filtration to visitors. The booth allowed guests to learn more about the system provided within the development.

Homebuyers who reserved a unit during the event were eligible to participate in a lucky draw featuring prizes worth up to RM30,000.

About The Rimbun

The Rimbun is an affordable strata townhouse development located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Designed as a gated and guarded community, the development aims to provide residents with a safe, comfortable and well-connected living environment.

The development includes a clubhouse featuring a variety of recreational and community facilities, including a community hall, swimming pool, indoor gym, outdoor gym, BBQ pit and other shared spaces designed to encourage an active and connected lifestyle.

Built on freehold land, The Rimbun comprises 664 townhouse units, offering residents greater privacy within a thoughtfully planned community.

Homebuyers may choose from two practical layouts with built-up areas of approximately 981 sq. ft. and 1,250 sq. ft. Each unit features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, making the homes suitable for individuals, young couples and growing families.

Key Highlights of The Rimbun

• Affordable strata townhouse development under the Penang Housing Board (Lembaga Perumahan Negeri Pulau Pinang)
• Freehold title
• Limited to only 664 units
• Most units feature a north–south orientation
• Exclusive clubhouse and recreational facilities
• Gated and guarded community with AI-powered CCTV surveillance
• EV charging point ready
• Indicative price ofRM400,000

The Rimbun reflects PTL Properties’ commitment to creating quality and affordable homes that combine practical layouts, modern conveniences, community facilities and enhanced security features.

For more information about The Rimbun, visit www.ptlproperties.com.my or visit The Rimbun Sales Gallery (Google Map/Waze) today.

Purchasers who acquire strata properties through court-ordered auctions cannot automatically be held responsible for unpaid maintenance charges and sinking fund contributions left behind by previous owners, the High Court has ruled in a decision expected to provide greater clarity for auction property buyers.

Judicial commissioner Moh Kok Wai said the law does not permit innocent purchasers to inherit the financial obligations of former owners simply because they acquired the property through a judicial sale.

The case involved the management corporation (MC) of Megan Avenue 1 in Kuala Lumpur and Rajinder Singh, who successfully purchased an office unit through a High Court e-auction in January 2024 after the previous owner defaulted on its bank loan.

The office unit was previously owned by Forward Wind Sdn Bhd, which had accumulated more than RM126,000 in unpaid maintenance charges, sinking fund contributions and related fees before becoming insolvent and being wound up.

Rajinder bought the property for RM1.62 million and was later registered as the new owner. Following the transfer, the MC sought payment of more than RM182,000 in outstanding charges incurred by the previous owner, arguing that Rajinder was a “successor-in-title” under the Strata Management Act 2013 and therefore liable for the arrears.

Rajinder disputed the claim, maintaining that as the property was acquired through a court-ordered foreclosure sale, he should only be responsible for charges incurred after he became the registered owner.

In dismissing the MC’s application, the court held that a purchaser in a judicial sale does not fall within the Act’s definition of a “successor-in-title”, which applies to voluntary transfers rather than court-ordered sales.

Moh said requiring auction buyers to settle undisclosed historical debts would undermine confidence in court-supervised auctions, where purchasers expect certainty and finality upon acquiring a property.

He added that imposing such liabilities would unfairly burden buyers who had no contractual relationship with the previous owner and no realistic means of discovering or avoiding the outstanding debts.

While acknowledging that the MC and other parcel owners may ultimately bear the financial impact of the previous owner’s insolvency, the judge said such losses cannot simply be shifted to an unrelated third party.

Describing the purpose of the Strata Management Act, Moh said the legislation was intended to facilitate orderly communal living rather than trap innocent purchasers in the financial failures of others.

The High Court dismissed the MC’s originating summons and awarded RM10,000 in costs to Rajinder Singh.

Image source: Buletin Mutiara

Penang has taken a major step towards safeguarding its long-term growth with the signing of a conditional Bulk Water Supply Agreement (BWSA) with Prasarana Air dan Irigasi Perak Sdn Bhd (PAIP Perak) under the Perak-Penang Water Project (P-PWP).

The agreement will allow Penang to receive between 300 million and 500 million litres of treated water per day (MLD) from Perak over a 40-year period from 2032 to 2072, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder endorsement.

The additional water supply is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Penang’s continued industrial expansion, new housing developments and growing population. Water demand in the state reached 865 MLD in 2025 and is projected to exceed 1,162 MLD by 2032, driven by ongoing investments in manufacturing, commercial activities and property projects.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described the agreement as Penang’s first major water agreement of the 21st century and the most significant since the commissioning of the Muda River Water Scheme in 1973. He said the project would provide Penang with a second major water source, strengthening the state’s long-term water security as it continues to attract investments and economic opportunities.

Under the project, PAIP Perak will develop, own and operate a new 500 MLD water treatment plant together with pumping stations, reservoirs and major pipelines in Perak. The dedicated infrastructure, estimated to cost RM8.4 billion, will be fully financed by PAIP Perak, meaning Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will not be required to fund the capital expenditure or bear operational, maintenance, land acquisition or raw water costs.

Instead, PBAPP will pay an annual capacity charge and a treated water tariff under the agreement once supply begins in 2032.

The additional treated water will primarily support future growth in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) and Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), where industrial activities, residential developments and commercial investments are expected to accelerate in the coming years. Sungai Muda will continue to serve as Penang’s primary raw water source.

Beyond meeting future demand, the project will also improve Penang’s resilience against climate change and prolonged dry spells by diversifying its water sources. As the state continues to position itself as one of Malaysia’s leading destinations for manufacturing, technology and property investment, securing a reliable long-term water supply is expected to provide greater confidence for businesses, developers and investors planning for the decades ahead.