KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): In this week’s City & Country cover story, Eastern & Oriental Bhd (KL:E&O) managing director Kok Tuck Cheong and director of development and construction management Michael Tan talk about the new developments on its 760-acre reclamation project in Penang, Andaman Island.

To be developed in two phases, the 253-acre Phase 1 of Andaman Island has a gross development value (GDV) of RM20 billion, while Phase 2, where reclamation is still ongoing, will cover 507 acres and have a GDV of RM40 billion. Reclamation for the entire island is scheduled to be completed by end-2028. In all, it will take about 35 years for the island to be fully developed.

There will be a canal between the two phases of Andaman Island and there are plans to build bridges for pedestrians and vehicles for connectivity, which Kok and Tan believe will make a marked difference to the lives of residents and visitors moving forward.

We also have a story about tropical architecture design in the country, where Malaysian tropical architects City & Country speaks to affirm that tropical architecture must continue to embrace sustainable passive design principles, as it is a living expression of cultural identity, a way of progressing as a nation, while staying firmly rooted in the enduring wisdom of our traditions.

We also talk to four young first-time homebuyers on their experiences in acquiring their dream home, their tips on choosing the right property, and their advice for other first-time homebuyers who are still searching for a place to call their own.

Leaving behind the concrete jungle for a life in the countryside is no small feat, and can be daunting for those accustomed to the convenience of city life. Yet, more Malaysians are making that leap, swapping office cubicles and rush-hour commutes for seedlings and soil. We talk to three former urbanites, now farmers, on their stories of moving from the city to the country.

In our Singapore counterpart, we have a story on the whole floor at VisionCrest Orchard sold for S$58 million, as strata office sales heat up.

Read all about these stories and more in the Sept 15, 2025 issue of City & Country, available with The Edge Malaysia weekly.

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