From this article, I learned that the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Property Surveying Division launched its first-ever Property Surveying Awards during the 33rd National Real Estate Convention (NREC), marking an important step in recognising excellence within Malaysia’s property surveying profession. This event not only celebrated outstanding individuals and organisations but also aimed to improve public understanding of what property surveyors actually do and why their work is important.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that property surveying is a much broader profession than many people realise. Many people often confuse property surveyors with land surveyors, quantity surveyors, or building surveyors because the names sound similar. However, the article explains that property surveying covers specialised areas such as property valuation, estate agency, and property management across both public and private sectors. This helped me understand that property surveyors play a major role in the real estate industry far beyond simply measuring land.
I also learned that professional recognition helps strengthen the identity and reputation of an industry. According to RISM fellow Khaidzir Abdul Rasip, the awards were introduced to “rewrite the narrative” of the profession and show the public the value of property surveying. This shows that awards are not only about celebrating success but also about improving industry branding, attracting future talent, and creating stronger professional standards.
Another important takeaway is how the awards provide a unified platform for practitioners from different sectors and regions. Property surveying professionals work in various areas such as government, private consultancy, corporate real estate, and ESG-focused services. By bringing them together under one recognition platform, the awards help strengthen collaboration and raise awareness of the profession’s contribution to national development.
I also learned that major organisations such as Knight Frank Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and Permodalan Nasional Bhd were recognised for their contributions. Knight Frank Malaysia won Property Surveying Firm of the Year, DBKL received Local Authority of the Year, and Permodalan Nasional Bhd was awarded Corporate Body of the Year. This shows that both private and public institutions play important roles in shaping professional standards within the property industry.
Another useful lesson is the growing importance of ESG within property surveying. The award for ESG Hero Property Surveyor of the Year given to Previndran Singhe reflects how environmental, social, and governance factors are becoming increasingly important in real estate decisions. This shows that modern property surveying is no longer focused only on valuation and transactions but also includes sustainability and responsible development.
I also learned that recognising specialists such as valuation surveyors, management surveyors, agency surveyors, and corporate surveyors helps highlight the diversity of career paths within the profession. Winners like Datuk Mani Usilappan, Wong Kok Soo, Foo Gee Jen, and Datuk Salem Kailany represent different expertise areas, showing how broad and professional the field has become.
Overall, this article taught me that property surveying is a critical but often misunderstood part of the real estate industry. The launch of the inaugural RISM Property Surveying Awards helps strengthen professional identity, improve public awareness, and celebrate the people and organisations driving excellence in Malaysia’s property sector. It shows that recognition and education are both essential for the long-term growth of the profession.
Malaysia