Industry veterans receive BOVAEA recognition

PETALING JAYA (May 22): The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Malaysia (BOVAEA) has honoured three veterans in the real estate industry at its annual BOVAEA Awards, in recognition of their contributions in the fields of property valuation, property management and real estate.

Former president of BOVAEA Datuk Faizan Abdul Rahman was given the title Valuer of the Year, while immediate past president of Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) Erick Kho was Estate Agent of the Year. Malaysian Institute of Professional of Property Managers (MIPPM) president Sarkunan Subramaniam was awarded the title Property Manager of the Year.

The awards were presented during BOVAEA’s convocation ceremony officiated by Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Wira Othman Aziz on May 12.

The award recipients told TheEdgeProperty.com they were happy that their efforts in improving the real estate industry in Malaysia have been recognised by the Board.

“I have been in the property valuation industry for more than 38 years. With this [award], I suppose this will be the peak of my career in this profession,” Faizan said.

Faizan is a well-known figure in the industry, having served in the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) since 1979. He retired as JPPH director-general in October last year.

“To excel as a valuer, one must have three important attributes – self-discipline, industry foresight and willingness to take up new challenges. With these three attributes, one could adapt to changes,” Faizan offered.

Property Manager of the Year recipient Sarkunan, who is also Knight Frank Malaysia’s managing director, said the award is a recognition not just for him but for the MIPPM committee for their hard work in improving the property management industry and to raise public awareness on the importance of good property management.

“We will continue our efforts in educating the people while weeding out the black sheep in the industry,” said Sarkunan, who has over 31 years in the real estate and property management industry.

He added that MIPPM will be establishing a Diploma course in property management for people who are interested in this industry or for practitioners who want to improve themselves.

Meanwhile, Real Estate Agent of the Year Kho described the award as a surprise despite his 12 years of service in MIEA.

“To me, this is one of the most prestigious awards for my contribution in my profession. This is because it is given by BOVAEA and not based on self-submission,” he explained.

Kho stressed that being an estate agent is a profession; therefore, estate agents are required to offer their professional services with integrity.

The event also celebrated the success of 87 recipients of the Diploma in Estate Agency as well as 36 valuers and 65 estate agents who received their Authority to Practise.

In her speech, BOVAEA president Dr Rahah Ismail, who is also JPPH’s director-general, said the board is actively reviewing current practices in line with changing needs, including reviewing the percentage of commission of real estate negotiators.

The Board is also revisiting its rules on soliciting for business to consider allowing limited soliciting for business as far as estate agency practice is concerned, “as long as it is done tastefully”, said Rahah.

This story first appeared in TheEdgeProperty.com pullout on May 19, 2017. Download TheEdgeProperty.com pullout here for free.