KUALA LUMPUR (June 2): Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd, the wholly-owned local property development arm of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), has named Datuk Seri Michael K C Yam as its new chairman, effective today.

The building engineer by training has been a director of Kwasa Land since 2011. He is taking over the position from Tan Sri Samsudin Osman following the latter’s retirement, the company said in a statement today.

The new chairman brings with him 35 years of experience in the construction, real estate and corporate sectors, having served leading positions in companies like the listed UEM Sunrise Bid and Country Heights Holdings Bhd, as well as renowned names like Landmarks Bhd and Peremba Malaysia.

In these capacities, he led the development and management of integrated and township mixed developments, hotels, resorts, shopping malls, golf courses and international schools in Malaysia, Australia, UK, Mauritius and South Africa.

This expertise will add to Kwasa Land’s strength in managing its township Kwasa Damansara here, where it plans to develop 2,300 acres of mixed development, the statement read.

“Having such a deep experience in real estate development, he brings the right mix of expertise and depth crucial to steer our efforts to realise Kwasa Damansara’s goal to be a green, connected and inclusive township,” said Kwasa Land managing director Hafiz Kassim in welcoming Yam to his new post.

Commenting on his new role, Yam said: “I am honoured to be appointed the chairman of Kwasa Land and excited to work continuously with the team to chart new goals and explore opportunities for growth for the unique mixed township development that is Kwasa Damansara.

“As the last prime land and strategically located greenfield site in Klang Valley, the development seeks to deliver significant economic and social benefits for residents, visitors and the surrounding communities,” he added.

Currently, Yam is managing director and chief executive officer of Impetus Alliance Advisors Sdn Bhd, a corporate and project management advisory firm he founded in 2008.
He is also the chairman of InvestKL Corp.

The past president and patron of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association of Malaysia (REHDA), Yam was once a member of the Advisory Board of the City of Kuala Lumpur from 2008 to 2014, and a member of the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) steering committee for the transformation of greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley from 2011 to 2014.