On 17th October, the 16th VERITAS Lecture Series took the stage at the Opero Hotel Grand Ballroom, Johor Bahru, with a captivating theme: “Iskandar Malaysia: Connecting the Dots”. The event brought together influential industry leaders and stakeholders for a forward-thinking dialogue on the region’s future. YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee, delivered an inspiring keynote, followed by dynamic panel discussions led by our President, David M. Hashim.

As a non-profit event, we’re proud to announce that the surplus funds and contributions from our generous sponsors will go towards supporting Rumah Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak TBQ Amal, as recommended by the Johor Menteri Besar Office.

This lecture centers strategy development for the real estate and construction sector, with a memorandum of understanding signed between 27 Group and VERITAS Design Group, signifying a strategic alliance between both groups to engage in SESG consulting services for the built environment sector.

The event was a resounding success with speakers from the real estate sector, construction industry, and environmental bodies coming together to debate practices and policies for creating a better ESG dynamic within Malaysian business operations. We heard from Sr. Ahmad Farrin Mohktar, Senior Manager of Policy of Construction Industry Development Board, Mr. Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact for Malaysia and Brunei, Dr. Gary Theseira, Chairperson of Climate Governance Malaysian and Datuk N.K. Tong, President of Real Esate and the Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia.

The panel moderation session was moderated by David Mizan Hashim, Group President of VERITAS which brought together all panel speakers for engaging in the discussion of these vital topics and looks forward to greater opportunities for the adoption of ESG practices within the Malaysian business community.

The 2021 edition of the annual VERITAS Lecture Series took place virtually for the first time ever with the theme “Mind The Gap. This lecture series focused on n the role of the Malaysian Public Transportation System in socio-economic progress.

Taking place on 18th November 2021, the online seminar explored the evolution of various types of public transportation systems (e.g. MRT, LRT, HSR, ECRL, BRT, etc) starting from planning stage up till execution, as well as the importance of “the last mile” to achieve a fully integrated solution for the public. Experts from policy and regulatory, finance, engineering, property development and design backgrounds shared their perspectives and exchanged ideas for the future. The seminar’s objective of building a close collaboration and cooperation among the various stakeholders, as a first step towards realizing the vision of a National Transport Plan 2019-2030, was indeed a success.

It was an honour to welcome renowned speakers, such as Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj. Esa Mohamed (Chairman at MyHSR Corporation), Mr Mark Staib (Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer of PETRA Transit Systems), Datuk Isham Ishak (Secretary General, Ministry of Transport Malaysia) and Ar. Ng Yiek Seng (VERITAS award-winning architect and Principal). Over 600 attendees from corporate, private public, academia and civil-society sectors attended the full-day conference.

VERITAS Lecture Series 13 was entitled “FORWARD: Moving Penang Into The Future”. The event was graced by YB Zairil Khir Johari, Penang EXCO for Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation, as the keynote speaker. Additional speakers included Szeto Wai Loong (Project Director, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd), Dato’ Toh Chin Leong (Chairman, REHDA Penang), Dennis Eiszele (Technical Director for City & Places, Jacobs Engineering Group (M) Sdn Bhd), Faez Jumabhoy (Managing Director, Real Estate Sector Head, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad), Ar. Ng Yiek Seng (Principal, VERITAS Architects Sdn Bhd), Feisal Noor (Vice President, Buildings + Places, AECOM), Audrey Teo Loh (Chief Architect, MMC GAMUDA KVMRT), and Girish Ramachandran (Executive Director, 27Advisory).

VERITAS Lecture Series 12 was entitled “People, Property and Place”. The keynote speaker was YB Khalid Samad the Minister of Federal Territories, who was also joined by Ee Soon Wei of APW, Cha-Ly Koh of Propetypricetag.com, Adrian Yap of Freeform, Deputy Senior Director Norzaini Nordin of KL City Hall, and Principal Lillian Tay from VERITAS Design Group. Among the special guests were Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan and City Hall Director of Planning, Datuk Hj. Mahadi Che Ngah.

VERITAS Lecture Series 11 was entitled “Transport Oriented Development, compact connecting city-living”, held on 8th November 2017 at KLCC Convention Centre. The keynote speaker was Mr. Yusrizal Daud from Suruhanjaya Awam Darat (SPAD), who was joined by speakers such as Firdaus Effendy Mokhtar from PRASARANA, Ishmael Ho from Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd, Dennis Eiszele from JACOBS, Matthew Holloway from GRIMSHAW, and Principal Ng Yiek Seng from VERITAS Architects.