Submissions open for Sheda Excellence Awards
(From left) Sim, Alex, Wong, Louis, Yong, and Zaidi show the registration form for the awards.
KUCHING (May 28): Submissions for the Sheda Excellence Awards 2025 are now open.
Sarawak Housing Real Estate Developers' Association (Sheda) former president Datuk Alex Ting Kuang Kuo, who is event organising chairman, said the deadline for entries is July 11.
Alex and current Sheda president Augustine Wong launched the awards during a media appreciation event here last night.
Non-members of Sheda can also submit entries for the award.
'This highly-anticipated event is aimed at recognising outstanding achievements in the real estate industry. The Sheda Excellence Awards 2025 emphasise the significance of broad participation as this platform offers developers a unique opportunity to showcase their expertise in building technology, creative architecture and design, evolving marketing techniques, and property management services,' he said.
'These prominent awards are designed to encourage developers to consistently deliver best products to Sarawakians.'
The awards will be judged by independent adjudicators and leading industry professional from the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) Sarawak Branch, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak Branch, Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) Sarawak Chapter, Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP) Sarawak and Sabah Chapter, Malaysia Institute of Architects (PAMSC) Sarawak Branch, Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Sarawak Branch, FIABCI Malaysia, and GreenRE Sdn Bhd.
For 2025, five main categories are open for submission – Landed Residential, Strata Development, Affordable Home Development, Commercial, and Master Plan.
'In alignment with the Sarawak government's green agenda, the Sheda Awards will continue to prioritise and recognise green designs and strategies,' he said.
The winners of the Sheda Excellence Awards 2025 will be celebrated at the Sheda Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards scheduled for Nov 1, 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Alex added winners will be automatically shortlisted for the Malaysia Property Award (MPA) 2025, organised by FIABCI Malaysian Chapter, subject to MPA's terms and conditions.
For application forms, contact the Sheda secretariat by contacting [email protected] or 082-366334.
Among those present at the press conference were Sheda advisor Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok, Sheda Institute chairman Ahmad Zaidi, Sheda secretary-general John Yong, and Sheda deputy president Louis Ting. Alex Ting Kuang Kuo lead Sheda Excellence Awards
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Photo shows the tall house, designed by Edric for the Sarawak Cultural Village, his 'pet project' since 1986. — Photo courtesy of STB Although he has been actively involved in all these projects and they have formed the major part of his life since 1983, Edric has also devoted most of his personal time and endeavours pursuing a highly spiritual goal as well. Born into a very staunch and highly respected Buddhist family, his forefathers had been the custodians of many Chinese temples in Kuching for four generations. In the early 1980s, Edric's elder sister Edrea became a 'born again' Christian, followed by his parents, Ong Kee Bian and wife Tan Lee Kheng. Edric himself converted to Anglican in the mid-1980s and by 1996, he was elected the inaugural president of the Anglican Diocesan Youth Council in the Diocese of Sarawak and Brunei, a position that he held till 2001. 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Costumes and authentic local ethnic fashion designed by Edric were also commissioned and used in three international feature films shot in Sarawak: 'Farewell to the King' in 1987 with Nick Nolte in the leading man; 'The Sleeping Dictionary' in 2000 with Jessica Alba as the leading lady; and 'The Intended' in 2012 with Janet McTeer. (From right) Alba, with fellow cast members Michael Langgi and Bob Hoskins in a scene of the 2000 Hollywood feature, 'The Sleeping Dictionary'. Alba's costumes were designed by Edric. His many travels to promote Sarawak in all his projects, be they in exhibitions, curated shows, fashion extravaganzas, or in the field of local arts, crafts and culture, had brought him to the attention of many famous public figures in politics, arts and the entertainment industry. In recent times, he met with and befriended famous actress Ali MacGraw (of 'Love Story' fame) during two of his tours at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico, USA. Edric, seen here with MacGraw at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico in 2019. Recently in Paris for the 'Revelations Biennale Paris 2025', he had met with and spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. When asked about his 'personal best and proudest project', Edric did not hesitate to reply that it was the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai in Santubong. 'Designing the masterplan, main buildings and individual ethnic community houses that involved travelling to the interior parts of Sarawak to research Iban, Orang Ulu longhouses, Bidayuh round-house and reviving the Melanau 'Rumah Tinggi'. 'I am proud of the Damai Hilltop suites as well, as it was a contemporary adaptation of Sarawak architecture, the round 'Baruk' suites, the Malay suites and the longhouse 'biliks'.' On those who had inspired and mentored him through the years, he continued: 'There are many, including the late Datuk Lucas Chin, the late YM Raja Fuziah Raja Tun Uda, the late Dr Clare Brett Smith (Aid to Artisans USA), Imai Toshihiro of Japan and Jasleen Dhamija of India. 'The person I owed most to was my father, Ong Kee Bian, a good and faithful servant of the Lord, loving husband and father. 'He had nurtured my interest in flora and fauna, encouraged my endeavours into art like woodblock print, clay sculpture, embroidery and ikebana. 'He took me into the interiors of Sarawak—into the Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses and others.' During his leisure down-time, Edric can be seen around town, in other fellow artists' homes and studios, or wandering the less-trodden paths upcountry or into more remote areas, in search for the expert artisan or craftsman who could well be the last surviving person who is still practising his 'dying' art. He would also be promoting lesser known artisans' works, or helping to guide them seek new avenues where they can either sell their handcrafted products, or help them with more pro-active and creative ideas. His hobbies? He reads, listens to music, and watches a movie or two for relaxation. His other interests in the culinary arts as well as in music have also seen his versatility resulting in the formation of the Culinary Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak, formed in 2019; and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in 1997. The latter, now into its 27th year, was co-founded by Canadians, Randy Raine-Reusch and Robert Basuik, as well as Edric's brother, yours truly. My final question to Edric: 'What made you decide to spend your life to promote Sarawak's arts and crafts?' His reply: 'As a fifth-generation 'Peranakan Chinese' in Sarawak, the love and appreciation for our Sarawak arts and crafts are so much entrenched in our Ong family. 'Sarawak arts, in all aspects, are the most diverse and richest of heritages among all in Malaysia!' Edric's creativity, talent and versatility have cast a giant shadow over the arts and crafts scene in Sarawak since 1983. His persona and international status has been made and he is now well-known in the corridors and annals of Unesco, as well as in countless other international bodies where the mission and vision are to promote the world's ethnic arts, crafts, music and architectural heritage. His name, in the promotion of Sarawak in those specific fields, has been permanently etched and is well entrenched for future generations to come. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper.
