KUCHING: Sarawak developer Datuk Hasmi Hasnan has been named by International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Malaysia as Property Man of the Year.

The managing director of Naim Cendera Holdings Berhad received the prestigious award at the 16th Malaysia Property Award gala dinner from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night.

The one-time government land valuer is the first Sarawakian and East Malaysian to receive the award.

In his acceptance speech, Hasmi said the tribute should go to Naim Cendera and his staff.

“The award means a great deal not just to me but to everybody in Naim. I am pleasantly surprised to have been chosen in preference to a number of larger and more established players.”

The leading property developer who entered the property development sector nearly 15 years ago was visibly touched to note that his company was chosen for the award based mainly on its commitment in developing affordable mass housing rather than prestigious projects.

“We believe passionately that ordinary people deserve quality homes too,” he said.

Hasmi thanked FIABCI for looking beyond the Klang Valley and the shores of Peninsular Malaysia in giving recognition to players of the industry.

“By giving recognition to Naim, you are also acknowledging the contribution of Sarawak and Sabah property sector as a whole,” he said, adding Naim still had a lot to learn from the remarkable achievements of past award winners.

He said Naim might be the leading property developer in Sarawak, but before it could have any impact on the national scene it had to learn from the big players in the Peninsula.

“We are still a long way behind you in many aspects of our business although we are trying to catch up as fast as we can.”

The affable Hasmi said his company had plans to venture into Peninsular Malaysia “to test itself in a bigger market place”, but added that Naim did not want it to be just “a one-way-street”, explaining that developers from the Peninsula should consider expanding to Sarawak as the state had great potential and plenty of room for healthy competition.

Earlier, FIABCI-Malaysia president Datuk Richard Fong said the Malaysia Property Award (MPA) was much sought-after because it represented the very best achievements in the industry.

“Every winner reflects the highest quality of real estate development in Malaysia for the year 2007,” he said.

This year’s MPA is divided into 11 categories. YTL land & Development was a double winner for the Residential–High Rise and Residential–Low Rise categories. YTL won the two awards for The Maple at Sentul West, Kuala Lumpur and Lake Edge, Puchong, respectively.

Other awards were won by G Hotel Sdn Bhd for its G Hotel, Penang in the Hotel Development category; Hap Seng Realty (Autohaus) Sdn Bhd for the Mercedes Benz workshop-Hap Seng Star, Puchong, Selangor (Industrial Development category); SP Setia Berhad for Setia Eco Gardens, Johor (Master Plan category); Kuala Lumpur Sentral Sdn Bhd for the 1 Sentral Kuala Lumpur (Office Development category); Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and SPA for the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and SPA Penang (Resort Development category); Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd for the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (Retail Development category); Hap Seng Realty (Autohaus) Sdn Bhd for the Mercedes Benz Autohaus-Hap Seng Star Kuala Lumpur (Special Project category); and ISG Asia (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the Royal Bank of Scotland, Penang (Special Project category).