Alpha Galaxy Group, an investment holding company spearheaded by chairman Abdul Hamid Bawal is the driving force behind the rapid modernisation of Puncak Alam. Driven by a bold vision to create purposeful spaces for communities, the company is bolstering its impressive industrial portfolio with Galaxy Avenue and The Walk, commercial enclaves that were designed with a people-first approach.

StarProperty sat down for an insightful interview with Hamid to learn more about his motivations and visions, starting with the reasoning behind the stunning name of Alpha Galaxy.

StarProperty: The naming of Alpha Galaxy is highly distinctive. Could you elaborate on the philosophy behind this name and how it reflects the company’s vision?

Hamid: Alpha Galaxy was inspired by the idea of creating spaces so big and vast without limitation to its size. Alpha is to emphasise that we see ourselves as pioneers in building vast spaces, coupled with our background in construction and engineering, we see ourselves as an Alpha in this field. As for Galaxy, it is to emphasise that we build and provide spaces boundlessly. Any building, any size, we can create and deliver.

StarProperty: What leadership principles have you adopted to bring Alpha Galaxy to its success today? What challenges did you overcome as you moved forward?

Hamid: Leadership starts with a clear vision. Without it, you can’t steer a company or inspire your team. Knowledge, real experience and strong relationships are equally important. Discipline and perseverance are essential. In the early days, I often worked 18 to 20 hours a day and setbacks were constant. Honesty is the backbone of business. Without it, nothing can stand the long term.The biggest challenges were financial and operational. Financing was difficult initially because banks were unfamiliar with us and rising construction costs often threatened our project margins. Clients sometimes changed requirements mid-project and we had to find ways to meet their expectations without compromising our commitments. Overcoming these challenges required careful planning, adaptability and determination.

StarProperty: How do you see Galaxy Exchange impacting Puncak Alam? What kind of benefits will it bring to the residents and community?

Hamid: Puncak Alam was a quiet area 15–20 years ago but it has been developing rapidly. Galaxy Exchange spans 166 acres and is designed as an integrated township with residential, retail, F&B, event spaces and sports facilities.We’ve prioritised walkable streets, proper town planning and connectivity. The location itself, with three-sided road frontage and six-lane roads, is strategic and ensures easy access. The development will provide residents with a liveable, self-sustaining environment and stimulate economic activity in the surrounding community, making it a win-win for both families and businesses.

StarProperty: Given Alpha Galaxy's proven success as a premier developer in the industrial sector, what is the strategic rationale behind the shift towards more mainstream development, particularly in a market segment characterised by stiff competition?

Hamid: This isn’t a shift so much as a natural evolution. Development is development whether industrial, commercial or residential. Expanding into residential and commercial allows us to diversify within the same industry, leverage our expertise and create new opportunities for growth.Competition exists but it’s manageable. Our approach is to carefully plan and execute projects that meet real market needs, rather than simply following trends. This strategy ensures that we remain competitive while staying true to our vision and core values.

Focusing on lifestyle

StarProperty also spoke to marketing and sales general manager Vincent Eyu to learn more about The Walk, Alpha Galaxy’s highly anticipated retail space in the Galaxy Exchange masterplan. The Walk is designed to be the township’s main street. Residents of all ages can converge and enjoy a delightful collection of boutique F&B, artisanal operators and other amenities. The Walk will bring the modern, social atmosphere that the area has been waiting for.

Alpha Galaxy marketing and sales general manager Vincent Eyu.

StarProperty: Since The Walk is pedestrian-friendly, what urban design principles guided its development? What shaped its streets and landscapes?

Vincent: The Walk is an exclusive collection of just 20 limited bungalow retail units within Galaxy Exchange. Our development concept prioritises people over vehicles and the streets and landscapes were designed with four key principles in mind. First, walkability with pedestrian pathways, including shaded arcades, creates a safe and comfortable environment for strolling. Second, connectivity. The layout encourages seamless movement between retail units, open We incorporated natural ventilation, shaded structures and tree-lined landscapes to reduce heat, maintaining comfort without compromising the connection to nature. Lastly, placemaking where every street and lane is curated for discovery, social interaction and a sencourtyards and green pockets, inviting visitors to explore freely. Third, climate-responsive design. se of community, creating future gathering points for weekend events, cultural festivals and night markets.

StarProperty: What is The Walk’s main role in the 166-acre Galaxy Exchange masterplan?

Vincent: The Walk serves as the lifestyle anchor and pulse of day-to-night activity within Galaxy Exchange. While the broader masterplan includes commercial, residential and recreational components, The Walk is Puncak Alam’s signature destination, the place where people meet, mingle and enjoy curated retail, dining and leisure experiences. If Galaxy Exchange is the city centre of Puncak Alam, The Walk is its main street. A vibrant area where people spend time, socialise, dine and experience the township’s energy.

StarProperty: How will The Walk resonate with Puncak Alam residents and neighbouring areas? What unique features will draw the crowd?

Vincent: The Walk is designed to match the lifestyle of Puncak Alam’s young, fast-growing population. Its uniqueness lies in offering a modern, outdoor, walkable retail experience, which is something the township currently lacks. It brings boutique F&B and artisanal operators that elevate the township’s lifestyle appeal. Open spaces allow for markets, performances and community gatherings, creating an engaging environment for visitors. Semi-outdoor courtyards and aesthetic streetscapes give it a distinctive destination feel that draws people in and encourages them to linger.

StarProperty: What criteria do you use to decide whether a potential tenant aligns with The Walk’s identity? What market gap are you addressing?

Vincent: Puncak Alam lacks unique experience-driven retail and The Walk aims to bridge this gap. We prioritise tenants who can enhance lifestyle retail, actively engage with the community, focus on quality over quantity and bring strong brand value. Each tenant is carefully evaluated to ensure they align with the vision and identity of The Walk, creating a cohesive and vibrant destination for visitors.

StarProperty: How do you ensure speciality operators in The Walk and Galaxy Avenue are complementary, not competitive?

Vincent: We maintain a master tenant mix strategy across the entire Galaxy Exchange development. Each parcel, including The Walk and Galaxy Avenue, is anchored with its own identity and carefully curated to avoid duplication. Category zoning ensures that certain types of tenants appear only in one zone and active lease management and tenancy guidelines maintain balance. The goal is synergy, where every part of Galaxy Exchange supports the others, increasing overall footfall and value for all operators.

StarProperty: What percentage breakdown are you targeting for each tenant category across Galaxy Exchange?

Vincent: While the final mix will depend on market response, our current target profile is 40% F&B, 25% lifestyle and services, 25% retail including boutique and speciality stores and 10% for other categories. This distribution is designed to create a vibrant, balanced and attractive retail environment for the community.

StarProperty: The Walk is shaping the lifestyle heartbeat of Galaxy Exchange. How will The Walk strengthen and elevate the overall ecosystem of Galaxy Avenue - especially in terms of footfall, business synergy and long-term value for operators and investors across both investments?

Vincent: Visitors drawn to The Walk naturally extend their activity across Galaxy Avenue, creating a continuous flow of people and energy throughout the development. Tenants at Galaxy Avenue gain from this momentum, enjoying stronger footfall, visibility and commercial value. With 204 meticulously planned shoplots on the most strategic parcel of the land, Galaxy Avenue stands as a commercial masterpiece — a sought-after address for businesses positioned for growth.

This synergy reflects Alpha Galaxy’s vision of interconnected, people-first destinations and delivers long-term value for both operators and investors.

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