SUBANG JAYA (June 25, 2026): Industry leaders at the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI) 2026 corporate mentorship programme stressed that long-term sustainability, operational discipline, and early industry exposure are becoming increasingly critical for the property and built environment sector.
Speakers highlighted that business success should no longer be measured purely by short-term profit, but by the ability to remain resilient, adaptable, and continuously competitive in a changing market environment.
Chin Hin Group board adviser Ngian Siew Siong said sustainability must take precedence over short-term financial gains, emphasising that long-term survival is more important than immediate profitability.
He noted that successful companies are built on differentiation, including design, landscaping, specifications, and customer service, rather than product delivery alone.
Ngian also shared that the group’s strategic direction had evolved with professional guidance to focus on creating integrated living environments rather than just housing products.
He further stressed that sustainable business growth depends on efficiency across processes, supply chains, quality management, and continuous improvement, adding that innovation often comes from refining and improving existing ideas rather than reinventing them.
Avaland Bhd chief operating officer Aw Sei Cheh highlighted that property development requires a strong balance between product design, execution capability, cost management, and people development.
He said developers must understand underlying cost structures, including construction and financing, while also leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) for better decision-making, noting that the quality of insights depends heavily on the quality of questions asked.
He also emphasised that people remain the most important asset in any organisation, forming the foundation of long-term corporate strength.
Feruni chief commercial officer Roger Ong shared lessons from the company’s evolution from distribution to a retail showroom model, inspired by global retail concepts such as Apple Stores.
He noted that rapid expansion without sufficient operational capacity and training can create strain, even after periods of strong profitability, underscoring the importance of execution discipline alongside growth ambition.
Ong added that sustainable business growth requires balancing expansion with operational readiness and maintaining trust in long-term business relationships.
Fairview Development founder and chairman Datuk Muztaza Mohamad spoke on the importance of resilience and mindset, describing a “migrant mindset” approach that embraces rejection and persistence in pursuing opportunities.
He highlighted that trust remains a key foundation in business relationships, often built over long periods of consistent engagement and performance.
On talent development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Faculty of Communication and Media Studies deputy dean Ahmad Faisal Mohamed Fiah said students require earlier exposure to industry environments, ideally from the beginning of their studies, rather than waiting until internships.
He noted that while academic institutions provide strong theoretical foundations, real-world exposure is essential for bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace expectations.
He also stressed that soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving are increasingly important in a technology-driven economy where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping job requirements.
The RIYI programme also included thematic pod-based small group rotations, where students participated in simulated workplace scenarios covering time management, emotional intelligence, and stakeholder engagement.
Participants engaged directly with industry practitioners through scenario-based discussions, role-playing exercises, and problem-solving sessions designed to test decision-making and teamwork under realistic conditions.
The programme brought together around 50 students from more than 15 universities nationwide as part of a structured initiative aimed at improving graduate readiness and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
RIYI 2026 forms part of a broader effort by REHDA Institute to bridge the gap between education and the built environment sector, aligning academic training with evolving industry needs and expectations.
Yao Mu Realty, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, specializes in industrial real estate for factories and land, delivering professional and efficient solutions.
Posted by Yao Mu Realty Sdn Bhd on 25 Jun 26
Malaysia