Visionary leader Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan honoured as 2023 Real Estate Personality of the Year

An icon of innovation and leadership shaping the future of Malaysian real estate

The PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty.com.my is proud to announce that Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan, Founder and Advisor of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, has been named the 2023 Malaysia Real Estate Personality of the Year. This prestigious award will be presented at the 10th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia, honouring Tan Sri’s remarkable achievements and contributions to the Malaysian real estate sector.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan, a visionary entrepreneur, has been instrumental in transforming Berjaya Corporation Berhad into a diversified Malaysian conglomerate listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. His entrepreneurial skills and leadership have been pivotal in the growth of the corporation, which now employs over 40,000 people worldwide and boasts a revenue exceeding RM33.4 billion.

His business acumen is evident in his success in bringing the McDonald’s franchise to Malaysia in the 1980s and introducing other international food and beverage franchises to the country. Tan Sri’s diverse business empire spans property development and investment, hotels and resorts, gaming, financial services, and much more.

Currently serving as the Advisor of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Tan Sri holds various leadership positions across the Group, contributing significantly to its ongoing success and innovation.

Q & A with Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan – 2023 Real Estate Personality of the Year

What does the 2023 Real Estate Personality of the Year award mean to you, your team at Berjaya, and your business partners?

The 2023 Real Estate Personality of the Year award is a tremendous honour for me, my team at Berjaya, and our business partners. It is a testament to our hard work and dedication to the Malaysian real estate industry. This award is also a recognition of the trust and confidence that our customers and investors have placed in us. I am grateful to be bestowed this award as it serves as a validation of our efforts and motivates us to continue striving for excellence. It is a reminder that we are on the right track and it inspires us to continue working hard to create even more innovative and successful real estate developments in the years to come.

To that, I want to say thank you to my team at Berjaya for the hard work and dedication. They are the reason why Berjaya is the success that it is today. I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated group of people. To our business partners, I want to extend my appreciation for the continuous support. We could not have achieved this success without the trust and confidence shown to us. We look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the years to come.

To whom do you dedicate this special award?

I would like to dedicate this special award to my team at Berjaya and Yayasan My First Home Foundation. Without their unwavering commitment, expertise, and passion, we would not have achieved this level of success. Their contributions have been invaluable, and I am grateful for their support. I also dedicate this award to my business partners, who have shared our vision to create a bigger and better social housing sector and strong communities we can all be proud of in the Malaysian real estate industry. It is an award that speaks to our highest aspirations. I accept this award with deep gratitude, great humility and I am humbled to have been recognised by my peers.

Why do you continue to invest in Malaysian real estate?

I continue to invest in Malaysian real estate because I believe in the potential and growth opportunities it offers. Malaysia has a thriving real estate market with a strong economy and a growing population. These factors make it an attractive investment destination. With an increasing population, comes forth the demand for housing and also affordable homes, especially from those who fall below the national median income level. As long as there is a need to provide shelter and security, I will continue to push through projects that will benefit the communities.

What are your future plans as head of Berjaya and what kind of real estate projects (current or future) are you passionate about?

My future plans involve expanding our real estate portfolio and undertaking innovative and sustainable projects. I am particularly passionate about projects that promote environmental sustainability, community development, and urban regeneration. I believe that by creating spaces, we do not only provide value to our stakeholders but also contribute positively to the surrounding communities and the environment. We have several upcoming launches in the fourth quarter including Lot 2000 at Jalan Imbi, a 629-unit freehold serviced residence, KM2 Parcel A1, a 350-unit freehold condominium in Bukit Jalil and Bayu Timur, a 518-unit freehold condominium in Shah Alam.

In Penang, we are planning to launch the Jesselton Villas, an upscale and exclusive gated property featuring courtyard villas, condominiums and courtyard homes by early 2024. With Yayasan My First Home (YMFH), a personal foundation, we aim to address housing affordability and sustainability futures for the underserved communities including aspiring home-owners and the low-income groups. Together with Berjaya Land Berhad, YMFH is set to launch the Berjaya Flagship Affordable Homes a Rumah Selangorku (RSKU) affordable housing initiative in December 2023. With an attractive price point of RM250,000 per unit, dual key concept, 5-room 4-bathroom under a 900sf space, these homes will cater to the diverse requirements of modern families.

Besides these, we are also exploring opportunities in the hospitality sector, including luxury resorts and hotels. Our Iceland Parliament Hotel – Curio Collection by Hilton officially opened its doors early this year in Reykjavík’s city centre, and we look forward to guests indulging themselves to spectacular scenes of the northern lights during winter season and the midnight sun during the peak of summer. We are also excited about our upcoming projects in Japan namely the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Yokohama, comprising a luxury hotel and upscale residences, and retail outlets on a sprawling 2 hectares freehold land in Yokohama’s waterfront Minato Mirai 21 District.

Additionally, there is the USD1 billion Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa, with outstanding architectural concepts incorporating sustainably-focused structures and landscapes slated to be the highest-end luxury hotel resort in the city. It is being built on 40 hectares of coastal land close to Manzamo Cape and will integrate contemporary sustainable features together with Japanese local culture. Closer to home, we are to looking to develop and transform part of Gaya, Sapi, and Bohey Dulang Islands in Sabah into prime ecotourism destinations within the ranks of popular international hotspots, which will create more job and business opportunities for the local community.

All these are part of our goals to create iconic landmarks that enhance the urban landscape and provide exceptional experiences for residents, visitors, and businesses.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.