KUALA LUMPUR: The annual Malaysia Property Awards (MPA) 2021, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year, has made a return with OSK Property Sdn Bhd emerging as the biggest winner of the night.
OSK Property won three awards with its CEO Ong Ghee Bin bagging the “Property CEO” award, as well as the best residential (mid-rise) category for the TimurBay residence in Kuantan. The third award was the residential (low-rise) category for Mirage by the Lake in Cyberjaya.
Setia Eco Glades Sdn Bhd also won in the same low-rise residential category for Setia Marina 2.
The MPA 2021 was a gala dinner held at One World Hotel, Bandar Utama, on Tuesday.
It was graced by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor.
The event was held by Malaysia’s International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI Malaysia).
Ahmad Fuzi presented the 17 awards which comprised 13 categories to the winners.
Among them was Mah Sing Group, whose founder and chief executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum took home the “Property Man” award.
Winners for the residential (high-rise) category were Alila 2 by Hunza Properties Bhd and The Fennel at Sentul East by YTL Land Bhd.
Also present were Star Media Group Bhd’s top management, led by group chief executive officer Alex Yeow and chief content officer Esther Ng.
For the mixed-use development category, UEM Sunrise Bhd and KL Eco City Sdn Bhd won for Arcoris Mont Kiara and KL Eco City, respectively.
The office category was won by Menara Ken TTDI for Ken TTDI Sdn Bhd and Menara Symphony by Symphony Life Bhd.
Gamuda Land won the environment category for Gamuda Gardens Central Park, while Gamuda Bhd won the resort category for Batu Patung Eco Village.
Berjaya Hartanah Bhd won the affordable housing category with Lanai Residences in Bukit Jalil and WB Land Sdn Bhd won the industrial category with Frontier Park.
Hap Seng Land Sdn Bhd won the purpose-built category with Wisma Mercedes-Benz.
Separately, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia was the winner under the public sector category with Residensi UTMKL.
FIABCI Malaysia president Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang congratulated the winners and commended them for countering the Covid-19 pandemic with resilience and tenacity.
Koe said property development in the 21st century was no longer just about brick and mortar, as change in climate and demographics had affected demands for homes and living lifestyles.
“Property developers must make bold, practical commitments. And it’s clear that these commitments must then translate into an economy that is fully in harmony with our planet.
“Not just at a continental or national level but in every region, city and even in every kampung, every household across Malaysia where Malaysian developers are present globally,” said Koe.
Organising chairman Dr Yu Kee Su said they had a slightly different experience this year as all the judging process had to go from physical to online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The physical site evaluation had to be conducted online with the participating companies presenting and explaining their projects.
“For the independent judges meeting, the evaluators had to first present the summary of the projects, followed by participants with their presentations,” Yu added.
He said the growing demand for sustainability and green technology prompted developers to pay serious attention to consumers’ awareness on preserving the environment.
Yu said this year, the organising committee would consider adding two new categories – super high-rise residential category and best practices – which are still pending approval by the committee of the international property award FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Award.