'Developers must play their role in community building'

PETALING JAYA (June 27): Being in the real estate industry for over three decades, Malaysia’s Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) president Datuk Soam Heng Choon believes property developers play an important role in community and nation building.

In his acceptance speech after being bestowed EdgeProp Malaysia Editor's Choice as Malaysia's Exemplary Leader in Real Estate 2020 at the EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2020 (BMSPA 2020), Soam attributed the recognition to Rehda's continuous effort in playing a pivotal role as the leading voice of the property development industry.

“Thank you EdgeProp Malaysia for honoring me with this award. I hope it could become an inspiration to all Rehda members to continue to uphold Rehda as a responsive, respected, responsible and relevant organisation to the industry and nation,” he said.

Starting his career in the Ministry of Works from 1979 to 1989, he then joined Road Builder (M) Holdings Bhd in 1989, which was acquired by IJM Corp Bhd. He was appointed as IJM Corp chief executive officer and managing director in April 2015.

Although he bowed out officially from the corporate scene on Aug 31 last year, the 60-year old civil engineer is still actively involved in matters related to the industry as Rehda president.

When the country and industry faced unprecedented challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Soam was a strategic front-liner in the Malaysian property and construction sector, working relentlessly with Rehda teams to constantly communicate with government agencies to ensure developers are able to resume construction works.

“Take challenges as they come - constant learning, rethinking and being quick to adapt to changes are strengths that will help us through any situation,” he advised developers in the country.

Soam said developers play a crucial role beyond building quality homes as they also have to ensure that their projects offer capital appreciation, ease of maintenance and foster community building.

Soam received his award from guest of honour Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in a virtual awards ceremony aired over EdgeProp Malaysia’s Facebook page on the evening of June 27.

 The Awards was organised by EdgeProp Malaysia with partner Nippon Paint Malaysia and supporting partners Panasonic Malaysia and KipleLive, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Packet Bhd.

Get the full results of EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2020 here: https://www.edgeprop.my/awards2020

View the virtual awards ceremony here: https://buff.ly/2YFNcVg​

Read a special report on the awards in the July 3, 2020 EdgeProp.my e-publication.