Datuk Alan Tong

-    past Fiabci (International Real Estate Federation) world president (2005-06)
-    past Fiabci Malaysia president
-    Sunrise Bhd founder
-    Bukit Kiara Properties Sdn Bhd group chairman


“The top developers in the country continue to work hard to remain on top but it is good to see some new names among the Top 10 this year. The awards this year have also given greater emphasis to qualitative attributes. This is the right thing to do and in line with the consumer’s demand for better-quality products and services from property developers.”


Kumar Tharmalingam
-    Fiabci Asia-Pacific Secretariat secretary-general
-    Fiabci Malaysia past president
-    Hall Chadwick Asia Sdn Bhd chairman
-    Malaysia Property Inc (MPI) CEO


“The rankings reflect the rising level of competition among the top developers in Malaysia. Since unlisted niche players have raised the bar in design and quality in their small projects and have seen better profit margins, main sector players have jumped on the same concept and improved their rankings.”


Datuk Teo Chiang Kok
-    Building Management Association of Malaysia president
-    Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia and Fiabci Malaysia pa st president
-    the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia council member and head of the Construction & Property Committee
-    See Hoy Chan Holdings Group director


“The top developers for 2010 deserve to be recognised. The increased weightage given to qualitative attributes is an improvement as there are many smaller developers who deserve to be recognised for their progress and innovations. Otherwise, the quantitative attributes of large companies will overwhelm and distort the scores. As this ranking is created for the benefit of buyers, the qualitative attributes are more relevant to them.”


Datuk Jeffrey Ng
-    Rehda Malaysia past president
-    former managing director of AP Land Bhd
-    CEO of Sunway REIT Management Sdn Bhd, the manager of Sunway REIT


“We continue to see many big names and upcoming developers making serious efforts to improve their rankings. Consumers’ perceptions and receptiveness towards development concepts, product types, location, frequency of launch, market strategies and communication channels are the ‘soft’ elements required to be a top developer. Hence, greater weightage for qualitative attributes is more meaningful from a consumer’s perspective.”


Datuk Eddy Chen
-    Rehda Malaysia past president
-    Metro Kajang Group managing director
-    Rehda Institute board of trustees chairman


“Although the same names appear over the years, it nonetheless shows the tenacity of these developers in staying the course. It is an achievement to be able to sustain both size and quality, considering today’s highly competitive environment, the level of maturity in the market, the level of product knowledge (among customers) and media attention. For buyers, their concern is what they get for their money.”


Datuk Richard Fong
-    Fiabci Malaysia immediate past president
-    MPI past chairman
-    Glomac Bhd group executive vice-chairman


“The ranking of the top 10 developers this year is more reflective of their current activities, and the greater emphasis on their qualitative attributes means that the top developers have made a lasting impression and impact on the minds of the general public.”


Au Foong Yee
-    The Edge executive editor of property and retailing
-    Editor of City & Country at The Edge, haven (a bi-monthly interior design and gardening magazine published by The Edge) and property portal theedgeproperty.com
-    The Edge chief marketing officer


“While most members of the Top 10 list may come across as being the usual suspects, these developers of distinction have to continually work hard to earn their spot in the league. Being big in financials is not sufficient; the homes and commercial units they build must be of and acknowledged as top-notch quality. It is hard work to build a brand and recognition but easy to lose them; such is the challenge for The Edge Top Property Developers.”


The EDGE-PEPS Value Creation Excellence Award 2010

Foo Gee Jen

C H Williams Talhar & Wong managing director and Association of Valuers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in Private Practice (PEPS) committee member.
Both the Bandar Kinrara and Encorp Strand development have not only shown good capital appreciation but also strong sustaining value. Bandar Kinrara’s focus on its residential component has made it a livable township and helped it stand out among the entries, while Encorp Strand is supported by an array of amenities and good infrastructure in a flourishing township.

James Wong
VPC Alliance Sdn Bhd managing director and PEPS immediate past president
Both winners are really deserving as their developments have really created a lot of value. They are good quality developers and those who have bought their products have benefited a lot from the big jump in prices.

Choy Yue Kwong
Rahim & Co (Sel) Sdn Bhd managing director and PEPS president
They deserve their awards for the type of product and concept that they have, and for the appreciating value. They won it on merit.

Au Foong Yee
The Edge executive editor for property and retailing
The success of the winning projects of Encorp Strand and Bandar Kinrara was no accident. Still, given an increasingly competitive landscape, it will be interesting to see if the value created for the purchasers will continue to rise in the days to come. The fact remains that developers are working harder by the day to woo purchasers who are getting more and more discerning. Competition is good for consumers and healthy for the advancement of the industry.

Sharon Kam
The Edge deputy editor, City & Country + haven
The winners have proven that value creation entails thorough planning and commitment from the developers to see the plans through. The judges not only looked at the historical transaction data but even went as far as to visit the projects and consider their future potential growth. We found the two recipients, Encorp Strand and Bandar Kinrara, to have such potential.


The EDGE-PAM Green Excellence Award 2010

Ir Wong Loo Min
Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia president
“The entries were quite encouraging and it was quite difficult to select the winner. The developer of the winning project Ken Bangsar not only obtained green rating for the project but had also, by utilising and changing the usage of the building from office to apartments, enhanced the value of the product. Developers should do more than just look at green ratings and look at recycling material and restructuring. Use more local and green products in their projects. More developers and purchasers are aware of green design today. Developers are spending more to create green developments. It’s the way to go. We need more public education to create tenants who appreciate green buildings.

Ar Chan Seong Aun
Malaysia Green Building Confederation honorary secretary
“The winning entry was deserving as it transformed an un-used office building, which was a drab-looking building into beautiful serviced apartments... they did not tear the whole building down to rebuild it, they minimised waste by recycling materials used from the original building and reused them. The project was certified both by Malaysia’s Green Building Index (Gold) and Singapore’s BCA Green Mark (Gold Plus). We hope to see a platinum green building entry next year. People nowadays recognise that a green building is a good building, not just a sustainable but a good quality building.

Ar Boon Che Wee
PAM president
“We were overwhelmed by the quality and the range of green projects we received. Judging from the response we have received so far, I think we will see more exciting entries next year. Ken Bangsar stood out not only because of the end-product but the process involved in developing it. The courage and creativity employed to transform a commercial office building into an apartment within a constrained site, is commendable. Ken Holdings achieved in adding value to the development, the product itself shows their commitment to the green cause... creatively.”

Au Foong Yee
The Edge executive editor for property and retailing
“We are not looking at an ordinary green award or just another green award winner. Ken Bangsar deserves recognition for multiple reasons. This is an exemplary project of how green principles can effectively uplift an otherwise run-of-the-mill commercial building. The developer has gone the extra mile to create a building with a difference, made more challenging by the fact that this was no greenfield project to start with. Now, to me, that’s outstanding.”

Lim Shiew Yuin

The Edge deputy managing director
“What I like about the winner is how they managed to convert an office building and give it a second life as luxury serviced apartments — recycling! What also impresses me is the fact that there was minimal wastage of the existing building materials, yet the developers managed to create a very updated look.”


This article appeared on the The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2010 page, The Edge Financial Daily, October 11, 2010.

SHARE