From Balance Sheets to Blueprints: How MDA 2025 Judges Define True Developer Excellence

Inside the Minds of the MDA 2025 Judges

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2025 — Behind every iconic skyline and transformative township lies a philosophy — one defined by balance, innovation, and integrity. The Malaysia Developer Awards (MDA) 2025 once again set the stage for this philosophy to shine, reaffirming its position as Malaysia’s most trusted benchmark for property excellence.

Guided by a distinguished panel of experts spanning finance, architecture, surveying, and urban planning, this year’s MDA judging process delved far beyond profit margins or aesthetics. It assessed what truly defines a great developer today — financial stability, sustainability, and social impact.

The 2025 judges were united by three overarching themes:

1. The rising importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

2. The necessity of strategic agility and financial resilience.

3. The evolution from simply constructing buildings to creating long-lasting, livable communities.

Building Beyond Bricks

According to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, modern developers shoulder a moral as well as financial responsibility.

“A true leader must go beyond bricks and mortar,” she said. “Developers should build communities anchored in sustainability, transparency, and good governance — from planning to post-completion.”

She emphasised that the MDA judging process acts as an ethical audit, examining how developments impact not just buyers but the environment, society, and future generations. “We only have one planet,” she noted, underscoring the developer’s duty to steward resources responsibly.

Echoing this sentiment, National Housing Department Deputy Director-General (Housing Development) Norsazila Nordin highlighted that excellence must align with both Malaysia’s urban policies and global sustainability goals.

“Developers that stand out are those creating low-carbon, inclusive communities,” she explained. “Sustainability is not a side project — it is the ultimate measure of corporate strength.”

This alignment between business resilience and environmental commitment strengthens Malaysia’s reputation for urban innovation and sustainable development, especially across fast-growing hubs like commercial property in KL and industrial property in Subang area.

Strategic Agility: The Core of Endurance

While design and ESG shape the future, the judges also focused on quantitative excellence — the ability to maintain profitability and stability through market volatility.

Professor Yeah Kim Leng, Senior Fellow at the Jeffrey Cheah Institute, described this as “strategic agility.”

“Developers must show financial and operational agility,” he said. “It’s this flexibility that keeps the property sector resilient — a crucial pillar of Malaysia’s economy.”

Alvin Lim of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) expanded on this, explaining that financial data is not just a scorecard, but a reflection of capacity.

“Quantitative assessment is about interpreting financial results as insights into consistency and discipline,” he said. “Profitability and revenue growth matter, but stability is the clearest sign of long-term resilience.”

This approach resonates strongly across industrial land in Selangor and factory projects in Puchong, where prudent resource management remains key to operational continuity.

Redefining True Excellence

Beyond numbers, qualitative assessment seeks to identify projects that enhance life, strengthen communities, and endure over time.

PEPS Vice President and CBRE|WTW Managing Director Tan Ka Leong explained:

“The judging process looks beyond surface value to identify developments that create lasting worth — through innovation, sustainability, and ethical stakeholder engagement.”

He noted that such high standards don’t just reward achievement; they redefine it. “By embedding long-term value creation into every stage of development, MDA sets a new benchmark for excellence.”

From an architectural lens, Lim added that the essence of great placemaking lies in connectivity and inclusivity.

“A liveable community is one where residential, retail, and public spaces work harmoniously,” he said. “Inclusivity and accessibility transform structures into thriving neighbourhoods.”

This focus on livability mirrors the growing market demand for office space in Bukit Jalil and mixed-use commercial projects in KL, where design increasingly prioritises walkability, sustainability, and community wellbeing.

Future-Proofing the Built Environment

As climate challenges accelerate, Green Building Index (GBI) CEO Sarly Adre Sarkum emphasised that data-driven ESG integration is now indispensable.

“True sustainability must be predictive, not reactive,” he said. “Developers are designing for a 2040 mindset — anticipating change rather than responding to it.”

He cited GBI’s new Data Centre Tool Version 2.0, which incorporates metrics such as carbon intensity tracking, water recycling systems, and AI-based energy management. This evolution is particularly relevant as data centre developments surge across Selangor and Subang, demanding smarter, energy-efficient design frameworks.

The Rigour Behind the Recognition

Datuk Paul Khong of the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) revealed the immense effort behind the MDA judging process.

“It took days of detailed evaluation across hundreds of submissions. Each judge voted independently, ensuring fairness and integrity,” he said.

He stressed that winning an MDA Award is no easy feat — it reflects real achievement, not marketing hype.

“To emerge as a winner, developers must excel in every dimension — from financial strength and design innovation to sustainability and ethical execution.”

Redefining Malaysia’s Development Ethos

Ultimately, MDA 2025 reaffirms that property excellence extends beyond architectural beauty or market value. It is measured by the ability to build communities that are financially strong, environmentally conscious, and socially inclusive — communities that stand the test of time.

From industrial parks in Selangor to residential enclaves in Bukit Jalil, factories in Puchong, and commercial developments in KL, Malaysia’s most exceptional developers are no longer just constructing properties; they are shaping legacies.

The blueprint of brilliance, as the judges made clear, lies in a perfect harmony of vision, responsibility, and resilience — values that will continue to define Malaysia’s property landscape for decades to come.