Issue # 3
6
the highest potential, best people, food and
abundance of opportunities.
developers interested in constructing
affordable homes. We have been talking
about it for the past several years but only
a little has been accomplished from the
“government” standpoint
in terms of revised
rules.
Question: When was REI established?
What was its initial purpose?
Answer: REI group of Companies was
established back in 2007. Since the
beginning, its mission has been to inspire
and advise the public and private players
about sustainable development and
property investment.
Question: Who is your
inspiration and why?
Answer: I’ve had the privilege of
meeting several inspiring mentors
and interesting people in my life
thus far. From my father to some
of my teachers throughout my
student life, and my partner here
in Malaysia as well as a few good
friends. To complete the list, Klaus
Schwab (founder and current
Executive Chairman of the World
Economic Forum) has been a big
inspiration to my personal, public
and professional life.
Question: How much
has REI expanded and
progressed from the
initial stage?
Answer: We are still here
after 12 years. This speaks
volumes about our growth
in the marketplace, however,
it wasn’t always a bed of roses.
Instead, it has been quite a
rollercoaster ride, to be honest.
From being a total ‘zero’ in the
market, nowadays we are looked at as
a reliable source of strategic information,
market analysis and research. It has not
been easy and both my partner and I have
put in much effort in achieving this.
Question: What are your current
thoughts about the property industry in
Malaysia at the moment?
Answer: The Property Industry, not only
in Malaysia but in many countries, is going
through an irreversible transformation. I do
not think we will once again see the market
as it was back in 2014.
Very soon, with the availability of big
data and through proper analysis, it will
become more possible to know (with
mathematic precision) and in a timelier
manner, the ‘whats’ and the ‘wheres’ in
both property development as well as
property investment.
We will, most probably, see a re-bounce
within the next 12 months to a more
normalised situation and the soft market
condition that we all have been painfully
experiencing should be over soon.
Question: It is a known fact that you
speak a lot about affordable housing,
what are your thought on the matter in
Malaysia at the moment. What would
you suggest be done to achieve more
affordable housing in the country?
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Question: What is your forecast for
REI in the next 5 years?
Answer: We are in the midst of planning
and slowly beginning to execute a few new
moves which should bring REI group to the
next level very soon. During the first 12
years, we have been mostly focusing on a
B2B model. However, come 2020, we will
be reaching out to consumers too in terms
of education, knowledge, information and
data sharing.
Question: Who are your key personnel
at REI?
Answer: Everyone in REI Group is
important and a strategic component of
a powerful engine. Our people, as we call
them, are the best asset a business could
ever have, and we keep on investing in
them.
PROPERTY360DIGEST
Answer: Well this question alone might
have me talking for days. However, to cut
the story short - my personal view
can be probably summarised in a
few pointers:
— Definition of a realistic
values’ table for affordable
homes in Malaysia based on
actual purchasing power on a
state basis.
—
Government,
once defined values and
policies, shall stay totally
out from the supply
side letting private
players respond
to the demand. If
we have scarcity
of affordable
homes is because
the government
has been trying to
supply them without
having the experience
but disrupting the
market in terms of
“unfair” competition to
the private sector.
—
Policymakers shall be defining,
as soon as possible, a brand new set of
rules of engagement for those private
Question: If there was another industry
that you would like to move to, what
industry would that be and why?
Answer: The education industry for sure.
This would probably be due to the
passion I’ve always had to learn
and share knowledge with others.
TRUST, but VERIFY
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE INVESTIGATION