Honoured for contribution to affordable housing
DATUK Chan Fook Sun has dedicated decades of his life to his family business.
The 51-year-old managing director of Asas Dunia Bhd, a housing developer, recalls how he joined the family business.
'I started working when I was 17, right out of school.
'I pursued my Master of Business Administration (MBA) part time as I worked for the company.
'It took five-and-a-half years for me to finish it as I only went for classes on weekends,' he said when met after being conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the title 'Datuk'.
He received the award in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town.
Fook Sun, who was accompanied by his eldest brother Datuk Seri Jerry Chan Fook Sing, said he was grateful to the state for recognising the company and his family for their contributions over the years.
'Our contributions range from housing development to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
'The company, formed in 1982, is rooted in Penang.
'Our focus is housing development on Penang's mainland, a direction spearheaded by my late father, Tony Chan Leong Foon.
'He was a pioneer, coming up with mass housing and development on the mainland,' Fook Sun said of his father.
He said it was a coincidence that he received the honour on the third anniversary of his late father's passing.
Since its incorporation, the company has completed over 24,000 units of mixed-development projects, comprising residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
It has delivered about 7,600 units of low-cost housing across various locations such as Sungai Bakap, Simpang Ampat, Tasek Gelugor, Jawi, Nibong Tebal, Machang Bubok, Juru and Permatang Tinggi on Penang mainland, as well as Bukit Jambul on the island.
The company's most notable CSR initiative has been the donation of land for SMJK Jit Sin II SPS in Simpang Ampat in 2010 and continued financial support for its development.
The company has contributed about RM20mil for this cause in total.
Fook Sun said it was a family business with six brothers in varying roles.
'I am involved in the inception part of the project from the land to conceptual planning until approval for launch. I am also involved in overall strategic planning as well as land-banking.
'Current projects we are working on include Residency Merbok Phase 2 in Nibong Tebal, Hijauan Hills and Desa Impian in Simpang Ampat and Taman Hijauan Jernih in Bukit Mertajam, all on the mainland,' he said.
Fook Sun, who is a father of four aged between 11 and 17, gave credit to his father for his vision and hard work in establishing the company. He credited his brothers too.
'They have made immense contributions as well in the business.
'I wish to share this recognition with them,' he said.
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