RISM's National Real Estate Convention to explore how property industry navigates digital integration

PETALING JAYA (April 17): The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) will convene its 33rd National Real Estate Convention (NREC) on Tuesday (April 21) at the KLGCC Convention Centre (Sime Darby Convention Centre), Kuala Lumpur, under the theme "From Land to Cloud: New Blueprint for the Property Industry".

Now in its 33rd year, NREC is organised by RISM's Property Surveying Division and brings together corporate leaders, policymakers, industry practitioners and property professionals to examine Malaysia's evolving property landscape.  

This year's convention explores how digitalisation, data integration and technology are transforming property assets across development, valuation, transaction, and management.

The convention will open with a keynote address by Deputy Minister of Finance Liew Chin Tong. 

The day's programme spans discussions on industrial and data infrastructure, commercial assets, and residential and community developments, featuring 18 senior figures from across the property ecosystem including Sime Darby Property group managing director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican; KLCC Property Holdings CEO Datuk Salem Kailany; and Knight Frank Malaysia group managing director Keith Ooi, among others.

The event also features the inaugural Property Surveying Awards 2026 Luncheon, which recognises deserving property surveyors across all sectors and disciplines, and aims to enhance public awareness of the profession's role in nation building.

The convention qualifies for Applied CPD hours recognised by RISM; the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVAEP), and the Malaysian Institute of Planners. 

EdgeProp is the official media partner for the event.

Surveyors moving from reporting to strategic advisory

In an exclusive interview with EdgeProp, RISM president Wan Ainon Zuraiha Khalid said the NREC is not merely a conference, but a platform for strategic dialogue, alignment and thought leadership within the industry.

"This year, we are deliberately focusing on the structural transformation of the property sector — where assets are no longer viewed purely as physical real estate, but as part of a broader ecosystem supported by data, systems and digital infrastructure,” she stressed.

Wan Ainon explained that the upcoming gathering aims for a twofold impact.  

"Firstly, at the industry level, we want to create clarity on where the market is heading. With increasing complexity in asset classes — whether in industrial developments, intelligent commercial assets, or digitally-managed residential environments — it is important that stakeholders have a shared understanding of emerging trends and expectations.

"Secondly, at the professional level, the convention is intended to reposition the role of property surveyors. The profession must move beyond traditional technical functions and evolve into a more advisory-driven role, where professionals contribute to decision-making, strategy, and long-term asset performance.”

As the market shifts towards industrial assets, data infrastructure and integrated developments, she highlighted that this reflects a broader change in how real estate is perceived — “not just as space, but as income-generating, performance-driven assets within a larger economic and digital ecosystem”.

Thus, she noted that the role of surveyors is expanding beyond traditional valuation. 

"Traditionally, valuation focused on determining market value based on comparable evidence and established methodologies. While this remains fundamental, the increasing complexity of asset classes now requires a deeper level of analysis and interpretation,” Wan Ainon said.

The focus is not only on physical attributes, but also on infrastructure readiness, tenant profile, income stability, and long-term scalability.

"This naturally requires surveyors to adopt a more holistic and forward-looking approach, combining technical expertise with market insight and strategic thinking,” she said.

Hence, surveyors today are increasingly involved in advisory and feasibility studies, where it is critical to understand demand drivers, operational requirements and long-term viability.

They also formulate development strategies, particularly in assessing optimal land use, and phasing and positioning of assets. 

In terms of asset management, surveyors analyse performance, income sustainability and operational efficiency. They support more informed investment and financing decisions through market intelligence and data interpretation. 

"At the same time, while digital tools and data analytics are becoming more prevalent, they serve to enhance — not replace — professional judgement. 

“The credibility of the profession continues to depend on independence, integrity and the ability to interpret information within the appropriate context.

"In essence, the profession is moving from being a reporting function to becoming a strategic advisory function, and this shift will define the relevance of surveyors in the years ahead," Wan Ainon concluded.

..........

Get EdgeProp's montly print edition! Free delivery is available for selected regions. Subscribe now.