Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah at the StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards 2025 (SPDA) — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: More than just a reflection of economic activity, the property industry shapes the way we live, work, and grow as communities.
For the market to remain stable and serve future generations, it is critical that it be guided by principles of continuity and sustainability.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah said this is what sets Sunway apart, as its track record of building and sustaining partnerships has been fundamental to its growth and expansion over the past 50 years.
“A brand promise is a commitment to deliver with integrity, to stay the course, and to walk the talk.
“At Sunway, our brand promise is rooted in our core values of integrity, humility, and excellence,” he told StarBiz.
He added that even when ventures turned unprofitable, the group never failed to deliver on any project.
Aligned with its belief that no corporation can stand apart from the communities it serves, the group stands by its stakeholders and communities in both good and bad times.
For Sime Darby Property Bhd
, a brand promise represents its commitment to building communities that are climate-resilient, socially inclusive, and future-ready.
Chief marketing and sales officer Datuk Lai Shu Wei said the company’s unwavering purpose – to be a value multiplier for people, businesses, economies, and the planet – has fuelled its success and continues to drive the developer toward new heights.
According to Lai, the company has over 50 years of experience and has delivered more than 100,000 homes across 25 active townships.
“This promise, driven by strong market response and successful launches, reaffirms the strength of our offerings and the trust we have built with our customers.”
In today’s world, business continuity is equally as important as a form to differentiate oneself in the market.
Cheah said the need to adopt a long-term mindset that not only addresses today’s market realities, but also anticipates the future needs of communities, is vital.
“The rapid advance of technology, evolving lifestyle demands, and shifts in population demographics require developers to be agile and forward-thinking.
“For instance, Malaysia’s transformation from a population that was 70% rural and 30% urban 50 years ago to a now predominantly urban society, due to rapid urbanisation, demonstrates the critical need for adaptable and future-ready property development,” he noted.
On top of that, developers need to incorporate sustainable design principles into their projects, ensuring that they are resilient and energy-efficient.
“For instance, given the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EV), integrating essential infrastructure such as EV charging stations within high-rise and high-density developments is fast becoming a critical design element,” said Cheah.
For IJM Land Bhd, long-term strategic thinking, adaptability, and a deep understanding of evolving market needs are the key focus areas for the group.
Chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Tony Ling said the group’s focus is on creating smart, sustainable, and connected developments that are designed to thrive and adapt in a constantly changing environment.
“As Malaysia experiences shifts in urbanisation, environmental consciousness, and lifestyle expectations, IJM Land is evolving our approach – from conventional developments to integrated ecosystems that blend living, working, leisure, and nature in seamless harmony,” Ling explained.
On what the property industry can expect this year, Mah Sing Group Bhd’s group CEO and executive director Datuk Voon Tin Yow said the market will likely be stable.
“With Mah Sing, our goal is to offer homes that are reasonably priced, with full amenities, and in good locations.
“We strive to deliver the best kind of customer service we can. The goal is to work harder and gain a bigger share of the market,” he told StarBiz.
Meanwhile, the StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards 2025, which took place yesterday, celebrated its 10th anniversary and undertook a special initiative to revisit past Excellence Award recipients.
Star Media Group Bhd group CEO Chan Seng Fatt said this initiative reaffirmed recipients’ commitments, validating the promises they made and giving due recognition to those who have stayed true to their original goals and visions.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to our panel of judges and the StarProperty team for their invaluable time and dedication in ensuring that the recipients remain truly deserving of their awards.”
