When Datuk Chua Soon Ping became President of the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) in 2021, he stepped into a role with a long legacy. His predecessors held with them a list of accolades and achievements since 1978, when the association was formed.
Within the four years of his tenure, however, Chua has made a measurable impact. Under his leadership, SHAREDA has expanded its membership, expertise and resources that supported Sabah’s economy in ways both broad and intricate, earning Chua the Top Property Man of the Year Award at this year’s SHAREDA Excellence Awards.
At the heart of Chua’s stewardship and the recognition of the SHAREDA Awards is his vision for long-term, sustainable growth in the state’s economy through a thriving property development sector. One of his proudest achievements is the establishment of the SHAREDA Institute, a research and training arm created to address gaps in market knowledge. Through its programmes, Chua has spearheaded a Property Development course led by HRDF-certified lecturers, the first of its kind in Sabah. In collaboration with Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, SHAREDA has also launched an online Property Developer Course, which began in 2022 and features five modules tailored to educate university students with property development expertise.
“The SHAREDA Institute is about educating industry players in all aspects of property development,” Chua says. “By doing this, we can create more job opportunities and foster growth within the Sabah community. I want our people to stay, to find jobs here and to be part of Sabah’s economic story.”
Beyond education, Chua has also championed initiatives to address property oversupply while attracting foreign investment. The Sabah-MM2H programme, a localised version of Malaysia My Second Home, is designed to encourage investors to establish a second home in Sabah. “I believe this has a great multiplier effect on our economy. Not only through foreign direct investments but also in secondary industries such as education, small and medium enterprises, and even the automotive sector. All of these stand to benefit when applicants begin to settle in Sabah.”
Originally from Tawau, Sabah, Chua’s career began in quantity surveying. But he had other plans. He wanted to start his own property venture. He self-funded his further education in property development in the UK and, later, received RM3,000 in seed money. Chua pressed on, eventually founding Remajaya Sdn Bhd, which has grown into a prominent property consultancy group. Remajaya’s portfolio includes notable projects such as Bay 21 and Bay Suites, developments that reflect Chua’s focus on sustainable architecture and eco-conscious building practices. “Sustainability is the future of property development,” Chua emphasises. His developments feature everything from charging stations for electric vehicles to modular building materials, and his designs maximise energy efficiency by orienting buildings to reduce heat. “We must be conscious of how we build,” Chua adds.
His next project takes a personal turn. Inspired by his favourite travel destination, Salamanca, Spain, Chua is developing Salamanca Villas, a low-density luxury apartment complex. “I fell in love with Salamanca and wanted to bring that Mediterranean charm to Sabah,” he says. The villas will feature just 30 units across five stories, each blending modern, sustainability-focused design with Spanish architectural influences.
As Sabah’s skyline continues to evolve, luxury properties are becoming a defining feature of the region’s booming economy. But Chua is quick to note that the success of this market relies on a collaborative effort.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” Chua says, echoing a belief that has guided his approach to business and leadership. “Property development isn’t just about the developer. It’s a team effort involving government bodies, industry players and the community. Strong collaboration across the board is what ensures success.”
Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Managing Director of Remajaya Sdn Bhd and President of SHAREDA, was honoured with the Platinum Award for Top Property Man of the Year at the SHAREDA Excellence Awards 2024. His leadership in shaping key housing policies and advancing Sabah’s property sector was central to this recognition.
Stay tuned to read more stories about other SHAREDA members: Datuk Susan Wong, Datuk Matthew Tan, Gilbert Ee, Wilson Loke, Datuk Quek Siew Hau, Tan King Hong , Datuk Seri Panglima Tang and Soh Wai Fong.
Photographed by Xerxes/Awesome Image
Make up and hair by Celin Chin
Art Direction by Penn Ey, Chee
