Redas Celebrates 65Th Anniversary Honours Chia Ngiang Hong Lifetime Achievement Award
The Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS) recently marked its 65th anniversary with a celebratory dinner at Marina Bay Sands on November 15th. In his welcome speech, REDAS President Tan Swee Yiow noted that turning 65 also often coincides with receiving retirement payouts from the Central Provident Fund (CPF). The guest of honor for the event was President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
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REDAS was founded in 1959 as the Singapore Land and Housing Developers’ Association, six years before Singapore’s independence. Its visionary founders played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s real estate landscape. One of these pioneers was Lee Kim Tah, the founding chairman of Lee Kim Tah Group, a family business that began as a materials supplier and evolved into a developer responsible for many iconic buildings in Singapore. Another pioneer was Lee Chin Chuan, who founded Hotel Royal in 1968. He served as executive chairman and director of the hotel group until his passing in 2018. A third pioneer, Tay Beng Swee, established his private property development business in 1962.
Tan highlighted the significant contributions of these pioneers in laying the foundation for Singapore’s growth. Real estate plays a central role in nation-building, shaping not just the physical landscape, but also driving social progress and creating jobs. Tan noted that the real estate industry contributed nearly $20 billion to Singapore’s GDP last year, employing 16% of the workforce and providing 602,000 jobs.
From early skyscrapers to iconic projects like Golden Mile Complex, OCBC Centre, Raffles City, The Fullerton Hotel, and South Beach, the real estate industry has consistently shaped Singapore’s skyline to meet the city’s growing needs. Tan also pointed out that developments like Marina Bay and Jewel Changi Airport are prime examples of how real estate has helped Singapore become a global financial hub and top destination. He added that real estate has evolved beyond providing physical space, with projects receiving international recognition for their eco-friendly designs and green spaces that reinforce Singapore’s commitment to responsible and forward-thinking development.
This year, REDAS awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chia Ngiang Hong, Group General Manager of City Developments Ltd (CDL). This award honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community, environment, and REDAS. Chia, who has dedicated 45 years to CDL, joked during his acceptance speech that many have asked him how he has managed to “survive” at CDL. He credited the Kwek family for profoundly inspiring and shaping his career. He also acknowledged the support and encouragement he received from the late Kwek Hong Png, founder of CDL, current Executive Chairman Kwek Leng Beng, and Group CEO Sherman Kwek.
Chia revealed that it was Kwek Leng Beng, a REDAS patron, who introduced him to the association in the mid-1980s when the property market was facing a crisis. Over the years, Chia has served on the REDAS Council and was president for two terms from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 to 2022, which coincided with the challenging COVID-19 period. He noted that the industry faced insurmountable challenges during this time, but by working closely with stakeholders, the government, and various committees, they were able to weather the storm and emerge stronger. Chia believes that the future holds boundless potential, and the next generation will continue to lead Singapore’s transformation and growth with purpose, upholding the values that have guided REDAS.
