KUALA LUMPUR – The annual real estate ‘Oscar’ award was forced to pause for a year due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that landed a hit on every sector. Nevertheless, after some adjustments made to the Award specifically the judging process whereby it went from physical to online, the Malaysia Property AwardTM 2021 was successfully organized. The awards presentation ceremony cum gala dinner was held on 29 March 2022, at One World Hotel, Bandar Utama, graced by Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Bin Haji Abdul Razak, Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang and and Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Utama Khadijah Binti Mohd Nor. Last night, 17 awards winners proudly received their awards trophies from the Guest Of Honour.
17 awards comprising of 13 award categories were given at the Ceremony including two individual awards:
Property Man – Tan Sri Dato’ Leong Hoy Kum, Mah Sing Group Berhad
Property CEO – Mr. Ong Ghee Bin, OSK Property
Affordable Housing Category – Lanai Residences Bukit Jalil by Berjaya Hartanah Berhad
Environmental Category – Gamuda Gardens Central Park by Gamuda Land
Industrial Category – Frontier Park by WB Land Sdn Bhd
Mixed-use Development – Arcoris Mont’ Kiara by UEM Sunrise Berhad
KL Eco City by KL Eco City Sdn Bhd
Office Category – Menara Ken TTDI Sdn Bhd by Ken TTDI Sdn Bhd
Menara Symphony by Symphony Life Berhad
Public Sector Category – Residensi UTMKL by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Purpose-Built Category – Wisma Mercedes-Benz by Hap Seng Land Sdn Bhd
Residential (High Rise) Category – Alila 2 by Hunza Properties Berhad
The Fennel at Sentul East by YTL Land Berhad
Residental (Mid Rise) Catergory – Timur Bay by OSK Property Sdn Bhd
Residential (Low Rise) Cateogry – Mirage by the Lake by OSK Property Sdn Bhd
Setia Marina 2 by Setia Eco Glades Sdn Bhd
Resort Category – Batu Patong Eco Village by Gamuda Berhad
The president of FIABCI Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Koe Peng Kang congratulated the winners and commended them for countering the pandemic turbulence with resilience and tenacity. Koe opined that property development businesses in the 21st century are no more just about brick and mortar and basic amenities in view of the rapid changing of climate and demographics has prompted the significant shifts in technology and our population’s composition, affecting the demands for homes and living lifestyles.
“Property developers must make bold, practical commitments. And it’s clear that these commitments must then translate into an economy that is fully in harmony with our planet. Not just at a continental or national level, but in every region, city, and even in every kampung, every household across Malaysia and where Malaysian developers are present globally. “ said Koe.
He added as the Environment, Social and Governance (“ESG”) agenda become more important the world over, Malaysian property developers will need to intensify their ESG plans in order to maintain their competitiveness in the global arena. FIABCI Malaysia members can look forward to many such related topic forums, talks and engagements as they strive to move our members together along this journey.
On the other hand, Dr Yu Kee Su, the Organising Chairman said that they had a slightly different experience this year as all the judging process had to go from physical to online due to MCO and to minimize physical contacts. The physical site evaluation had to be conducted online with the participating companies were to present and explain their projects via online meeting. And for the Independent Judges Meeting, the evaluators had to first present the summary of the projects, followed by participants with their presentations.
Yu added that the growing demands of sustainability and green technology among the consumers prompt the developers to take serious attention in the consumers’ awareness on preserving the natural environment. The trend now is for the developers to integrate lifestyle, technology, sustainability and automation into every aspect of their development projects in order to stand out. “Proptech is the latest buzzword on everybody’s lips today, more often referred as disruption power or innovation driver.” said Yu. It describes the application of technology in the property industry, using IT, the goal of proptech is to make the entire real estate chain, such as property management, construction, buying and selling easier and more efficient. Hence the Organising Committee is considering to add in sustainability and new technology into the criteria starting next year.
Yu continued to add that there is no new category added into the Award this year, but the Organising Committee is considering to add two new categories, Super High Rise Residential Category and Best Practices, which are pending for approval by the committee of the international property award, FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Award.
Koe encouraged developers to submit their projects in the upcoming Malaysia Property Award 2022 where the winners will be entitled to compete at the international level, FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2023.
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