PONTIAN: Marcus Group has turned the dream of homeownership into reality for 86 families after reviving the abandoned Taman Rimba Indah affordable housing project here.
An initiative under the Johor
government’s Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), the project comprises 86 housing units. It was launched in 2015, but was abandoned after the previous developer faced unavoidable constraints.
Marcus Group chief executive officer Datuk Abdullah Yusup said the state government appointed the group’s subsidiary, Marcus Property Sdn Bhd, in 2020 to revive the development.
“We are honoured to hand over the keys to the first-time homebuyers today (yesterday). Seeing families receive the homes they have waited years for makes every challenge worthwhile,” he said during the RMMJ key handover ceremony at the project site here.
More than 100 guests attended the ceremony, including homeowners and their family members.
Present was Johor Housing Development Corporation chief operating officer Mohd Hanif Ahmad.
Single mother K. Anandi, 56, described the handover as the fulfilment of a decade-long dream.
She said her son, K. Indhra, 27, helped her with the online application, which she described as simpler and more accessible than before.
Newlywed Ezzanur Ameera Nasamddin, 27, said receiving the RMMJ home marked a meaningful start to married life.
She said she planned to apply for additional assistance offered by the Johor government, including the RM5,000 subsidy for eligible first-time homebuyers and the RM2,000 aid to help cover moving-in costs and household necessities.
During the event, Marcus Group presented contributions to Masjid Jamek as part of its community outreach efforts.
Abdullah said reviving abandoned projects often came with financial challenges, but restoring hope for families carried greater meaning.
“As a company, profits are important, but helping people achieve their dream home carries a value beyond money.”
Established in 1983 as construction company Shiya Sdn Bhd, the company evolved into property developer Shiya Development Sdn Bhd. It underwent corporate rebranding to become Marcus Property Sdn Bhd under Marcus Group.
Today, the group continues to support Johor’s affordable housing agenda through quality and sustainable developments.
Abdullah said Marcus Group remained committed to reviving abandoned projects to restore community confidence and drive sustainable urban growth, while strengthening its reputation as a trusted developer through projects built on quality, integrity and long-term value creation.
“We have a vision to become a leading contractor and innovative property developer, delivering transformative projects that set new standards across Malaysia and beyond.”