A night of celebration to honour outstanding developers for their proven track record and creative efforts

By NG PAU LING  pauline@thestar.com.my  

Among the 23 accolades presented at the StarProperty.my Awards Night 2018, the most prestigious would be the All-Star Award: Top-Ranked Developers of the Year which acknowledges the outstanding performers in the country.

With the support of Affin Hwang Asset Management, those honoured under this award were found to have excellent branding and a proven track record that regularly surpasses the expectations of clients. Their continuous effort to create and add value to their projects raises the bar for future developments.

Catching up with old friends: (from left) Wan Hashimi Albakri W.A.A Jaffri, Ho Hon Sang, Soam Heng Choon and Wong Tuck Wai at the StarProperty.my Awards Night 2018.

Key factors that lead to success

Consistency in meeting customers’ expectations is a key factor in becoming a top-ranked developer, said UEM Sunrise Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib.

“Developers are building more than just a structure. We need to create a living environment that meets expectations of clients; a place that allows them to enjoy and grow old happily with their family,” added Anwar Syharin.

S P Setia Bhd executive vice-president Datuk Tan Hon Lim said quality is their main “wow factor” because their products are always packaged in a well-landscaped eco setting with good connectivity, even if it means going the extra mile such as building a dedicated interchange for a particular township.

For Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) group chief operating officer Kwan Joon Hoe, a developer needs to be more innovative and productive to stay ahead of the curve.

“For example, in our 9 Seputeh project, we took advantage of the river to create the first river-park condo. Moving forward, MRCB will focus on developing transit-oriented developments (TOD), which is our stronghold as we are the pioneer in this market,” said Kwan.

Lifestyle and facilities are also convergent points for buyers because people are looking for a well-created place to relax and spend their recreation time, said Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd group deputy managing director Ho Kong Soon.

Setting the tone for the future

IOI Properties Group Bhd executive director Lee Yoke Har said the advancement of artificial intelligence and automation has made the human touch a competitive edge to any company.

“Our main focus is to deliver personalised service with a human touch,” she said.

Mah Sing Group Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Ho Hon Sang believes that sustainability should be closely linked with nation-building for the benefit of our future generations.

“Sustainability comes in many forms, including engineering, architecture, mechanical and electrical, common facilities, security and maintenance. We consider all these aspects when catering to buyers’ needs,” said Ho.

Eco World Development Group Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah said it is important for the developer to ensure long-term maintenance.

“We must make sure every community we build is well-preserved with greenery and top-notch infrastructure even years after. This will not only benefit the residents but also extend the value to the overall development,” added Chang.

For Gamuda Land, it is equally important to work with nature while emphasising technology to create a sustainable community.

“Gamuda Land has the most advanced Industrialised Building System (IBS) factory in the country at the moment. This helps us to upscale local workers and eventually reduce reliance on foreign labour,” said Gamuda Land chief executive officer Ngan Chee Meng.

Gamuda Land Bukit Bantayan Residences general manager Cheo Yuan Ping receiving The Borneo Star Excellence Award from Star Media Group Bhd chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow.

Tropicana Corp Bhd deputy general manager of marketing Ixora Ang said that the future generation wants a wholesome lifestyle to enjoy the finer things in life within an affordable range. The developer has a significant role to play to deliver this kind of quality lifestyle, she added.

Turning challenges into opportunities

IJM Corp Bhd chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Soam Heng Choon said that although the market is softer this year, there are plenty of potential buyers because the country has a younger population compared to 30 years ago.

“We are now focusing on mass-market products. It’s important to deliver the kind of products that the market wants. Otherwise, you will become part of the statistics on property overhang,” expressed Soam.

Paramount Property Development Sdn Bhd chief executive officer of property division Beh Chun Chong pointed out the scarcity of land in urban areas. To face this challenge, the company’s strategy is to provide a practical layout to improve the living experience.

“For small built-up units, we will maximise the common area and pack in ample facilities to ensure a balanced lifestyle,” said Beh.

(Fifth from left) Paramount Property CEO Beh Chun Chong, business development manager Ooi Wan Ling and chief operating officer Wang Chong Hwa proudly showcasing their multiple victories with the team.

Sime Darby Property Bhd chief operating officer of township development Datuk Wan Hashimi Albakri W.A.A Jaffri is confident about their landed property products.

“The market is not as hot as we would like. But in selected areas for landed properties at the right price, the take-up is still there,” he said.

Vote of confidence from the community

Meanwhile, the inaugural StarProperty.my Readers’ & Voters’ Choice Award was presented to Mah Sing Group Bhd, MRCB and SP Setia Bhd.

With more than 10,000 online voters responding over two weeks, this award is testament to the trust of the people towards the developers for their consistent performance.