This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 31, 2026 - September 6, 2026

As the nation celebrates its 69th year of independence, some of the winners of The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards 2025 talk about their environmental, social and governance measures and how their property portfolios will shape the physical identity and sustainability legacy of the country over the next decade.

Gamuda Land

CEO

Sustainability should never be treated as an additional cost. It should be embedded into how we plan from the very beginning. At Gamuda Land, we focus on mindful master-planning because that is where the biggest environmental and commercial gains are made.

Rather than relying on individual green features, we integrate climate-responsive design, greenery, renewable-energy readiness, electric vehicle (EV) charging, blue-green infrastructure, walkability, extensive tree planting and natural water systems into our townships.

These decisions improve thermal comfort, strengthen climate resilience and reduce environmental impact over the long term. At Gamuda Cove, for example, our planning approach is projected to reduce carbon emissions by about 45%, with the township achieving 5-Diamond recognition under the Low Carbon City 2030 Challenge.

Ultimately, sustainability is not about doing more. It is about planning better. Developments that continue to perform decades after completion will always create greater value for both communities and businesses.

Today’s buyers are choosing more than a home. They are choosing a place to build their future. That means creating townships where homes, education, mobility, retail, parks and nature work together to support different stages of life.

Equally important is what happens after people move in. Through initiatives like Gamuda Parks, we continue activating our public spaces with biodiversity, wellness and educational programmes because we believe a township should become stronger as the community grows.

For us, social sustainability is measured by whether a place continues to bring people together, improves everyday living and remains relevant for generations — not simply by what is delivered on day one.

Meanwhile, good governance is about making better decisions and being accountable for the outcomes. Sustainability is embedded into how we plan, design, build and manage our developments, with clear oversight and measurable performance across the organisation.

Technology plays an increasingly important role in achieving this. Through digital design, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled planning, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital project management platforms and data-driven performance monitoring, we are able to improve design precision, optimise resources, reduce waste and strengthen delivery across the development life cycle.

The real value of technology is not automation alone — it enables us to build smarter, adapt faster, use resources more efficiently, reduce wastage and deliver better-performing communities over the long term.

As Malaysia enters its next phase of growth, our focus should not simply be on building more homes, but on creating places that strengthen the nation’s long-term competitiveness. Well-planned townships have the power to attract investment, create quality jobs, support businesses and improve how people live, work and connect.

At Gamuda Land, we believe this begins with mindful master-planning. By integrating homes, mobility, education, commerce, parks and nature into one connected ecosystem, we create communities that are not only more resilient and liveable, but also capable of supporting economic growth for generations. This philosophy is reflected across our developments, including projects like Penang Silicon Island, where the master plan brings together sustainable living, low-carbon growth, a green tech park and future-ready businesses to support Malaysia’s ambitions as a global technology and innovation hub.

As we celebrate Merdeka, our aspiration is to create places that stand the test of time, places that improve lives, create opportunities and contribute to a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous Malaysia for future generations.

Tan & Tan Developments Bhd (property development arm of IGB Bhd) 

CEO

IGB Bhd (KL:IGBB) balances upfront green premiums against rising material costs by viewing sustainability through a total-life-cycle lens rather than just initial capital expenditure. Aligning our commercial and residential developments with green building certifications, such as GreenRE and GBI, protects our asset value over the long term, reduces recurring operational expenses and maintains rental yield against both rising energy tariffs and market competition.

Beyond retrofitting renewables like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and EV charging infrastructure, fundamental architectural changes start at the schematic stage. Our blueprints prioritise passive design principles by optimising building orientation to reduce solar heating, implementing high-performance façade glazing, maximising natural ventilation and adopting efficient cooling systems (including variable refrigerant flow and district cooling integration).

Together with rainwater harvesting, smart water fixtures and energy management systems, these choices drive down both embodied and operational carbon over the asset life cycle.

As demographics shift, demand is moving towards spaces that encourage lifestyle appeal, flexibility and a shared economy. We address this by focusing on transit-oriented universal design with adaptable residential layouts, co-living and senior living concepts, integrated wellness amenities and pedestrian-friendly master plans that seamlessly connect residential, retail and commercial spaces.

Our developments source mainly from local suppliers, which not only insulates us from international shipping shocks but also actively sustains the local supply chain. Health and safety are taken very seriously at our development sites, with regular site inspections. All health and safety incidents are escalated to the IGB Group Health & Safety Council, which includes the group CEO.

To reduce on-site waste and enforce strict compliance, we deploy an Industrialised Building System alongside BIM. Modular construction minimises material wastage, lowers noise and dust pollution, and enhances structural quality. Pre-construction BIM simulations optimise resource utilisation and prevent costly rework, ensuring seamless environmental compliance throughout the development cycle.

By embedding energy efficiency, climate resilience and community well-being into our assets (commercial, retail, residential and hospitality), we aim to deliver long-term value that extends beyond financial returns. Guided by our founding vision, Creating and Managing Spaces that Work Now and for the Future, IGB’s legacy lies in shaping liveable, low-carbon environments that empower communities to thrive for generations to come.

IJM Land Bhd

CEO

While green building materials and certifications can involve higher upfront costs, we view sustainability as a long-term value driver rather than an additional expense. Our approach is to integrate sustainability considerations from the earliest planning and design stages, allowing us to optimise building performance, improve resource efficiency and reduce life cycle operating costs.

Our approach extends beyond individual buildings to the planning of integrated, sustainable townships. From the earliest design stage, we incorporate passive design strategies such as building orientation, natural daylight and cross ventilation to improve energy efficiency and reduce cooling demand over a building’s life cycle. Together with green spaces, connected amenities and responsible resource management, the design contributes to residents’ well-being while reducing environmental impact.

As lifestyles and buyer expectations continue to evolve, we place greater emphasis on creating communities that support well-being, convenience and social interaction. Hence, we bring together homes, green spaces, wellness-focused environments, retail, lifestyle amenities and community facilities within well-connected neighbourhoods.

We also support community-led sustainability initiatives such as the Food Waste Processing Hub at Oasis International School in IJM Rimbayu, which promotes environmental awareness and circular economy practices among students and the local community.

To protect and strengthen our local supply chains in delivering our developments, we actively engage with contractors, vendors and consultants through our annual CEO & COO Dialogue to align strategic priorities and reinforce our shared commitment to quality, safety, integrity and sustainability. Wherever feasible, we also prioritise local contractors and suppliers as part of our Economic, Environmental and Social commitments, supporting local economic growth while strengthening supply chain resilience.

For the safety and welfare of our construction workforce, we work closely with our contractors to promote a strong safety culture. Regular site inspections, safety briefings and continuous compliance monitoring help ensure our Occupational Safety and Health standards are consistently met. Workers’ accommodation and welfare are also regularly monitored, with assessments conducted against regulatory requirements as well as our company and project standards.

While our township developments are currently funded using internally generated capital, we recognise the growing role of green financing and sustainability-linked loans in supporting sustainable development. Working with our banking partners, we offer green home financing to eligible purchasers of green-certified homes, making green homeownership more accessible.

Operationally, we leverage Industrialised Building System (IBS), BIM and digital project management tools across our developments. A key milestone was the adoption of IBS at Riana Trees Residences in Pantai Sentral Park and Daffodil Residency in Alam Suria — our first residential projects to utilise precast concrete wall and slab components manufactured by IJM IBS.

IBS helps optimise material usage and reduce construction waste, while BIM and digital project management tools improve design coordination, strengthen project oversight and support compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements throughout the construction process.

As one of Malaysia’s leading property developers, we believe our role extends beyond constructing buildings. Building on years of integrating sustainability into our developments, we continue to embed energy efficiency, climate resilience and responsible resource management, from planning to delivery.

Guided by the IJM Group’s Reduce to Net-Zero climate strategy and our net zero commitment, we are also supporting the group’s target to achieve net zero Scope 2 emissions by 2035 by transitioning to 100% renewable electricity.

A lasting sustainability legacy is measured not only by lower carbon emissions, but by communities that continue to thrive decades after they are built. That means creating places where people can live, work and connect in well-planned, resilient neighbourhoods that enhance quality of life while supporting Malaysia’s long-term environmental and social aspirations.

Mah Sing Group Bhd

Director of group 

strategy and operations

Green developments come with higher upfront costs, whether from sustainable materials, technologies or green building certifications. We manage this by embedding sustainability considerations from the planning and design stage to improve operational efficiency, reduce life cycle costs and enhance the value of our developments.

Beyond incorporating solar PV systems and EV charging infrastructure, we also place greater emphasis on passive design strategies. Our M Series developments feature north-south building orientation, natural ventilation and daylighting to minimise heat gain and reduce energy demand. These are complemented by energy-efficient lighting, water-efficient fittings and resource-efficient features that help lower operational carbon emissions throughout the building’s life cycle.

With rising material costs, strengthening cost resilience is important. That is why we prioritise local sourcing. In FY2025, 92% of our procurement spending was directed to local suppliers. Local sourcing reduces our carbon footprint by minimising emissions from the transport of materials.

As lifestyles continue to evolve, we recognise that generations have different expectations of where they live. That is why we design our developments to support residents at every stage of life. Younger residents benefit from features such as co-working spaces and the MYMahSing app.

Families are supported through children’s playgrounds, kindergartens and flexible multipurpose halls that can accommodate activities like badminton and pickleball. Selected developments also have wellness facilities such as yoga decks and reflexology paths.

Creating sustainable communities also means supporting the ecosystem behind every development. Local sourcing helps build stronger supplier relationships, improves supply continuity and contributes to more resilient project delivery while supporting sustainable growth in local communities.

At the same time, development extends to the well-being of the people delivering our projects. We maintain a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) governance framework through safety inspections, audits, site assessments and Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control evaluations to safeguard workplace safety and workers’ welfare. These measures have contributed to achieving over 19 million man-hours without a Lost Time Incident in FY2025.

We recognise that sustainable finance is becoming important, and we continue to explore opportunities to leverage green financing instruments to support our developments.

On the construction side, our focus is on improving efficiency, reducing waste and strengthening environmental performance. This includes adopting IBS in selected projects.

We have also digitised our pre-delivery inspection and defect-management processes through a digital construction management platform, including AI-driven defect categorisation; electronic quality, health, safety and environment inspection forms; and real-time monitoring of rectification progress, to improve traceability, enable earlier issue detection and strengthen compliance assurance.

At our project sites, we also optimise and reuse construction materials, segregate recyclable waste and engage Department of Environment-licensed contractors for scheduled waste disposal. These initiatives help us deliver commercially viable developments while maintaining strong environmental responsibility.

We see Mah Sing Group Bhd’s (KL:MAHSING) property portfolio playing an important role in shaping Malaysia’s future urban landscape by creating sustainable, resilient and liveable communities that support the nation’s transition to net zero.

As part of that commitment, we are raising the sustainability standards of our developments. One example is upgrading our GreenRE certification target from a minimum of 70% Bronze-certified to 70% Silver-certified high-rise developments in Kuala Lumpur.

Beyond certification, we have also established sustainability key performance indicators, including achieving a minimum of 30% roof coverage with solar panels and allocating at least 12.5% green space across our high-rise developments in Kuala Lumpur. These commitments are further supported by initiatives such as life cycle assessments and climate risk assessments, which help us better understand environmental impacts and strengthen the resilience of our future developments.

Over the next decade, we aim to contribute to Malaysia’s net zero ambitions by creating sustainable communities that are environmentally responsible, climate-resilient and adaptable in future generations.

Matrix Concepts

Holdings Bhd 

group managing director

At Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd (KL:MATRIX), we believe the greatest environmental impact is achieved through better design and construction rather than relying solely on premium green materials or certifications. While these remain important, we focus on practical solutions that improve long-term building performance and resource efficiency throughout a development’s life cycle.

Beyond solar panels and EV chargers, we incorporate water-efficient building designs and rainwater harvesting systems. During construction, we improve resource efficiency through system formwork that reduces material wastage and enhances construction consistency, alongside careful material planning, waste segregation and stringent quality controls to minimise rework. These measures enable us to reduce environmental impact while maintaining built quality and long-term value.

These green features, where suitable and aligned with specific project profiles, are incorporated as value-enhancing elements in our product offerings. We are observing a growing segment of customers who recognise and appreciate the benefits of such features, and who are increasingly receptive to the inclusion of green building materials as part of the overall value proposition.

Most of our developments are planned as integrated townships, where the homes are complemented by schools, healthcare facilities, parks, commercial areas and community amenities to support residents in different stages of life, thereby supporting multigenerational living.

As lifestyles evolve, we continue to prioritise open spaces, recreational facilities and environments that encourage stronger community interaction and healthier living. Our commitment also extends to the local supply chain, with 99.8% of our suppliers being local and accounting for 99.5% of total procurement spending in FY2026.

Beyond our customers, we recognise our responsibility to the people who build our developments. We require contractors to comply with strict occupational safety and health standards, including regular safety inspections, weekly toolbox meetings, mandatory personal protective equipment, appointed safety personnel and emergency response procedures. We also uphold responsible labour practices by requiring compliance with labour laws, providing safe workers’ accommodation, ensuring access to healthcare and enforcing zero tolerance on forced labour and other human rights violations.

We believe sustainability must be embedded into governance and project execution rather than treated as a standalone initiative. While we continue to evaluate appropriate financing opportunities that support our sustainability objectives, our priority is ensuring every development is guided by disciplined planning, responsible investment and strong governance.

Operationally, we improve construction efficiency through practical innovations such as system formwork, better material planning and continuous quality inspections to reduce waste and minimise rework. Our Climate Change Roadmap, guided by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework, strengthens how we identify and manage climate-related risks, while our governance framework incorporates robust compliance, supplier due diligence and regular monitoring to ensure responsible development across our projects.

As Malaysia advances towards its net zero ambitions, we believe the future of property development lies in creating townships that remain resilient, relevant and liveable for generations. Sustainability is no longer defined by individual green features but by how communities are planned, built and managed over the long term.

At Matrix Concepts, we will continue to strengthen environmental stewardship through responsible master planning, resource-efficient construction and biodiversity conservation, while investing in community infrastructure that enhances quality of life.

S P Setia Bhd

president and CEO

For S P Setia (KL:SPSETIA), sustainability starts with planning and design. In a climate of margin pressure and rising material costs, we take a disciplined, commercially grounded approach, prioritising green features that offer clear payback through energy savings, durability and customer value, while phasing in higher-cost elements where they are most impactful rather than applying them uniformly.

Through the Setia eGreenLiving initiative rolled out across 28 projects as at FY2025, we integrated practical features such as smart home systems, solar or solar readiness, rainwater harvesting, EV ports, delivery boxes and air management systems. Design fundamentals such as orientation, ventilation, daylight, greenery and open spaces also help reduce operational carbon.

S P Setia embeds water-sensitive planning through MSMA (Manual Saliran Mesra Alam or Urban Stormwater Management Manual)-aligned drainage, retention ponds, desilting, slope protection and gross pollutant traps, complemented by parks, wetlands, waterways, biodiversity corridors and native planting.

We respond to evolving homebuyers’ needs through our purpose of creating sustainable communities and enriching lifestyles. Our townships are planned around the “live, learn, work and play” philosophy, integrating homes, commercial areas, parks, schools, amenities, connectivity and community spaces. This is seen in Setia Alam, Setia EcoHill and Setia Alamsari in the Klang Valley, and Setia Fontaines in Penang.

At Setia Fontaines, residential, commercial, industrial and recreational components are supported by central parks, lakes, jogging and cycling tracks, a waterfront lifestyle centre and 640 planned affordable homes.

On-site, we work with contractors, suppliers and project partners within established safety, quality and compliance requirements, with emphasis on safe delivery, responsible contractor management, workers’ welfare and local participation, where practical.

S P Setia’s sustainability governance is supported by board and management oversight, our sustainability framework, Setia Green Roadmap and groupwide ESG implementation through sustainability leaders and champions.

In April 2025, we launched the Sustainability Financing Framework, rated “Good” by Sustainable Fitch, to support green, social and sustainability instruments for eligible projects such as renewable energy, pollution prevention and affordable housing. We also work closely with financial institutions to explore green financing solutions and embed these instruments where they fit strategically and commercially in our developments.

At S P Setia, we improve construction efficiency through IBS, low-carbon materials and digital tools. In FY2025, we achieved an IBS score of 52%, with green cement and green concrete replacement at 30% and 52% respectively, while digital design and modelling tools, including terrain modelling and volumetric analytics, support more accurate earthwork planning, reduce on-site waste and strengthen environmental compliance. We continue to assess emerging technologies, including data-driven and AI-enabled tools, and will adopt them where they demonstrate clear, practical value to our projects.

For more than 50 years, S P Setia’s developments have spanned the nation, from Johor in the south to the central region and the north, shaping how communities live, work and connect. Our ambition is for these townships to stand as enduring, sustainable landmarks that contribute to the physical identity and long-term legacy of Malaysia’s built environment.

S P Setia will continue advancing its Setia Green Roadmap and Net Zero by 2050 ambition by reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions, improving energy efficiency, expanding solar adoption where suitable, using more low-carbon materials, adopting IBS and digital construction tools, and strengthening climate resilience. This includes working towards a more conscious built environment, where we strive to reduce carbon emissions for every square foot delivered.

As we expand into a new industrial pillar, the group will continue to move forward responsibly by implementing a green eco-industrial park approach while maintaining our net zero target. Our position is to pursue measurable, commercially disciplined progress through township stewardship, sustainable financing, responsible construction, biodiversity protection, inclusive placemaking and developments that remain relevant for future generations.

UEM Sunrise Bhd 

head of sustainability

Sustainability is most effective when embedded into a development’s design and delivery from the outset. While greener materials and certification can involve higher upfront costs, we manage investments through early planning, design optimisation and technology-enabled project delivery, with a focus on long-term performance and value.

BIM, adopted across all our projects since 2023, allows us to test design options, quantify material and identify potential clashes before construction. This reduces waste, rework and costly on-site adjustments, helping mitigate pressure from rising material costs.

Our Sustainable Development Design Guidelines further integrate environmental performance, resource efficiency and resilience into conceptual design from the outset.

Through BIM-enabled Early Performance Analysis, we assess building orientation, daylight, solar exposure and wind flow at the early conceptual stage. These insights shape passive design strategies and relevant energy-efficient systems, reducing operational energy demand and carbon emissions over the building’s life cycle while making all our key developments green certification-ready.

Younger buyers increasingly define value through the quality of life, community connection and access to shared experiences, not only the home itself. In response, we integrate wellness, green spaces, accessibility and community-focused placemaking more deliberately into our developments.

Our retail and public spaces are curated as community hubs. At The Square, Publika, initiatives included a skateboard clinic for the Mont’Kiara community and The Listening Project to promote mental health awareness. At The Gallery, Publika, we provide a bazaar platform for local micro, small and medium enterprises to showcase their brand and reach wider audiences. SIREH Park in Johor similarly combines recreation, environmental education and community participation across generations, while Dutch Lady Land in Petaling Jaya is being reimagined as a community-centric sports, wellness and lifestyle hub.

Our commitment extends to how we build. In 2025, 98% of vendors were Malaysian companies, representing 99.62% of procurement spending. This protects local capability and supply-chain resilience. Site safety and worker welfare are also monitored through inspections, HSE reviews and SHASSIC assessments, Act 446 (the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990) compliance, grievance channels and corrective-action processes.

Our approach links capital allocation with verifiable sustainability outcomes. Through our Sustainability Sukuk Framework, aligned with Sustainability Blueprint 2.0 and the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals, we can raise Asean Sustainability and Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk to finance or refinance eligible township components, including green buildings, renewable energy, affordable housing, pollution prevention and water management. Robust governance over project selection, use of proceeds and reporting ensure transparency and accountability.

On project delivery, IBS is adopted across all our projects to improve precision, reduce material waste and accelerate construction through prefabricated, standardised components produced to controlled environments. This is reinforced by BIM, which enables digital modelling to optimise material use, identify design issues early and improve resource efficiency before construction begins.

Environmental compliance is supported by routine inspections, waste controls, erosion and sediment management, and monitoring of air, water, noise and vibration, ensuring sustainability commitments are translated into disciplined execution.

As Malaysia advances its net zero aspirations, UEM Sunrise Bhd (KL:UEMS) recognises the property sector’s role in creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban development. Our contribution forms part of a broader national effort involving government, industry, communities and other stakeholders.

This is especially evident in Iskandar Puteri, where we are delivering more than homes and commercial assets. We are shaping integrated economic ecosystems that support jobs, connectivity and long-term regional growth. As opportunities emerge from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, we aim to advance developments that are both economically vibrant and environmentally responsible.

For UEM Sunrise, this means planning and delivering developments that balance environmental responsibility with commercial discipline and long-term value creation.

Through our U2030 Transformation Plan, we are focused on strengthening our fundamentals, improving execution and embedding sustainability into the way we shape communities and growth corridors.

Over time, we hope our portfolio will define Malaysia’s sustainability legacy through places that remain relevant, liveable and valuable across generations, while supporting national priorities as the nation transitions towards a lower-carbon economy.

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