/// Exclusive Interview
The Unsung Success Story of Anwar Yeo
G
rowing up in Tawau on the
East Coast of Sabah, Anwar
Yeo came from humble
beginnings. After finishing his studies,
he began career as a salesperson
in a local bookstore in 1991 and
ventured into his own school
stationery supply business in 1993.
In 1997, he had the opportunity
to venture into the construction
industry, taking on projects from
private and government sectors.
From then onwards, he started
exploring the property development
market. And because of his
experience in the construction
business, he learnt the importance of
using high quality materials to ensure
the best outcome. Having over 17
years in the construction business he
has now completed projects value in
excess of RM100 million.
Although the financial crisis
happened in 1998 and the property
market crashed, luck was on Yeo’s
side as he managed to get a RM5
million project. And in 2001, his
company developed the Tawau
College Community in Perdana
Square with the development value
of RM20 million. Since then, business
has been booming.
Yeo said, “The property industry
depends highly on the local
economy. I was lucky that when the
financial crisis happened, I was able
to acquire a lot of land at a very
cheap price. And part of the reason
why we are still standing strong
today is because we continuously
make sure our developments have
good concepts, is high in quality and
have good facilities.”
He explained: “When I design, I think
of the consumer in mind. I want the
property to give them additional
value. For example, our new project
launch is a five-storey commercial
building with an elevator. And
currently, Tawau does not have an
office building with a lift.”
“Businesses today are very much
reliant on technology and the
internet. And Tawau’s internet
connection isn’t that great. So for
this project, we will be installing fiber
optic technology to help increase the
internet speed. This is something
that will give value to buyers who are
tech savvy,” he added.
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For this particular project there
will also be eateries located on
the ground floor, and Yeo will be
building a 28-foot boardwalk so that
restaurant owners can maximize the
space and cater to more customers
by putting more tables outside and
providing al fresco dining options.
Yeo said, “If businesses don’t make
money, they won’t want to buy or
rent a unit in your building. So to
ensure that your building increases
in value, you have to make sure that
it benefits the tenants. It has to be a
win-win situation for everyone.”
Yeo’s interest in travelling to all
corners of the world and taking
adventurous study tours to gain
more knowledge and inspiration in
the building industry has gave him
the ability to shine in incorporating
his experience with the strategies,
technologies, concepts and designs
he have learnt around the world
and put into plan back home and
create a feasible and sustainable
development.
In 2012, Yeo’s Taipan project in
Tawau fused with fresh ideas,
modern architectural designs and
concept is now 90% completed. This
year, his company will be launching
two more developments and one
of them will be a gated residential
development in Mile 8.
D’Bayan Fruit Garden will consist
of 200 units of terrace houses and
residents can enjoy facilities like a
clubhouse. But what’s different and
exciting about this development? It
has a tropical fruit garden with lots of
high grade fruit trees such as durian,
rambutan, mango and many more.
“This fruit tree concept is very
unique. I’ve been around the world
and I haven’t come across such a
concept before for a residential
development. It creates a great
community environment and
connects us back to nature. And
let’s be honest, most kids nowadays
don’t even know how certain fruit
trees look like so it will be great for
education too.
“Because if this unique concept,
people will come and visit the
property and because of that the
property prices will immediately go
up and this will benefit the residents
too. We will launch this project in
the last quarter of 2014 and hope to
complete it in two years,” Yeo said.
For the last 10 years, the property
market in Tawau has been booming
due to the booming economy in
the are