Movers and shakers: The 2022 winners together with (front centre, left to right) Star Media Group chief executive officer Alex Yeow, Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk M Noor Azman Taib and FIABCI-Malaysia president Datuk Firdaus Musa.
A landmark collaboration for property excellence started with two powerhouses
In May 2021, an idea was conceived, one that would breathe life into the Malaysian property industry and revolutionise how it celebrated excellence. Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang, then the president of the International Real Estate Federation Malaysian Chapter (FIABCI-Malaysia) and Star Media Group (SMG) chief executive officer Alex Yeow hatched the groundbreaking concept - an award that recognised not just the projects but the remarkable developers behind them.
Although both FIABCI-Malaysia and SMG already had their own prestigious awards - FIABCI-Malaysia's Malaysia Property Awards (MPA) and StarProperty Developer Awards (SPDA) - both did not have awards that give due recognition directly to property developers. The MPA primarily honoured completed and occupied properties while the SPDA focused predominantly on ongoing developments.
Recognising this gap in the industry, both organisations embarked on a journey to create an accolade that would resonate with all stakeholders - one that would instil confidence in buyers and investors while also granting overdue recognition to property developers.
Enter the Malaysia Developer Awards (MDA), an award meticulously crafted to serve as a comprehensive benchmark for the property industry, providing clarity amid the cacophony of property awards in Malaysia. The MDA was designed to evaluate all aspects, from project excellence to developer prowess, inspiring emerging developers along the way.
The gestation period for these awards was nine months, and on February 21 the following year, the MDA was officially launched, marking the dawn of a premier accolade that would set new standards. This reputable award aimed to validate not only the quality of projects but also the credibility of the companies behind them.
Winning an MDA would signify more than just a trophy. It would represent a seal of approval, a testament to a developer's commitment to excellence. Moreover, it would boost brand awareness and serve as a powerful marketing tool.
Beyond recognition, the MDA aspired to elevate Malaysian developers' expertise, particularly those venturing into international markets. By adopting a holistic approach, it aimed to raise the industry's standards through collaboration between FIABCI-Malaysia and SMG.
The partnership leveraged FIABCI-Malaysia's international network and SMG's widespread influence. As a result, the MDA would outshine other property awards in Malaysia, with winners propelled to new heights.
The MDA is not just about winning trophies. It is about long-term industry development. Winners would be encouraged to participate in workshops and site visits, fostering knowledge exchange and camaraderie among developers.
While this inaugural edition is a significant milestone, the MDA is expected to evolve continually, pushing property standards to new levels. Transparency is a core value, with the judging process adhering to international standards. Moreover, for the first year KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms, validated the figures to ensure credibility.
The birth of the Malaysia Developer Awards marks a turning point for the Malaysian property industry. It is not merely an award. It is a testament to excellence, a catalyst for growth, and a celebration of the visionaries shaping the nation's landscape. The MDA's journey has just begun, and it promises to be an exciting one, redefining property excellence in Malaysia.
The founding MDA team together with (seated front, from left) then FIABCI-Malaysia deputy president Mohd Salem Kailany, Koe, Yeow and SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang giving the thumbs up during the launch of the awards.
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