KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Bahru has emerged as Malaysia’s strongest growth region in 2025, according to new property demand data revealed at the 12th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty.
For the first time, the awards combined expert judging, market data, and consumer preferences to provide a data-driven picture of the property market – highlighting where Malaysians are looking to buy and invest, and which developers have successfully earned their trust.
Drawing from millions of searches across PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my, the awards reflect a nationwide shift in demand patterns — from urban cores towards well-connected regional growth corridors, particularly in Johor and Selangor. This year’s findings paint a clear picture: Malaysians are gravitating towards integrated townships, mixed-use developments, and ESG-driven projects that combine lifestyle appeal, long-term value, and sustainable living — which are trends that align with evolving affordability considerations, infrastructure connectivity, and changing work-life priorities.
The inaugural Consumer Demand Awards celebrated eight projects most sought-after by property seekers. Leading the list are R&F Princess Cove and Leisure Farm, reflecting Johor Bahru’s increasing appeal among buyers. Johor also performed strongly in the office segment, with City Square Office Tower named Most In-Demand Office for Lease (Johor), while Kuala Lumpur’s The Exchange 106 topped Most In-Demand Office for Lease (Kuala Lumpur).
PropertyGuru Group real estate intelligence head Dr Lee Nai Jia said, “The data shows that Malaysian home seekers are increasingly looking beyond traditional hotspots in the Klang Valley. Johor Bahru’s dominance across multiple categories reflects the city’s transformation into a vibrant regional hub, supported by large-scale infrastructure investments such as the RTS Link and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone.
These factors are enhancing cross-border accessibility and driving confidence among local buyers and investors. We’re also seeing rising engagement for well-planned, self-contained communities where residents can live, work, and play within the same precinct. This shift towards integrated and sustainable townships, often outside the city centre, signals a more mature property market where value, connectivity, and liveability drive purchasing decisions, not just location alone.”
The People’s Choice Awards, determined through nearly 28,000 public votes, recognised 10 developers most trusted by Malaysian consumers. The winners are Berinda Group; CPI Land; Gunung Impian Development Sdn Bhd; Mah Sing Group Bhd; Malton Bhd; Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS); Platinum Victory; Tiland Group; Tropicana Corporation Bhd; and TRX City Sdn Bhd.
The winners were voted for by the public from a shortlist of 30 leading developers.
These results reaffirm that consumers continue to place their trust in established and consistently performing developers that offer reliable quality and long-term value. The insights offer developers, investors, and policymakers actionable information on which projects are in demand and which developers enjoy the highest levels of consumer trust.
JLand Group emerged as Malaysia’s most decorated winner, securing the Best Developer (Malaysia) title alongside Best Developer (Southern Malaysia) and Best Industrial Developer.
Its flagship project Bandar Dato’ Onn in Johor Bahru, earned multiple awards including Best Township Development (Malaysia), highlighting JLand Group’s leadership in integrated community development.
Public developer PKNS stood out as an ESG frontrunner, earning both Sustainable Design Champion and Low Carbon Champion honours. The recognition underscores the state developer’s strong commitment to environmentally conscious design through projects such as Linkar 52, Aludra Residensi, and Galeria SA Sentral.
PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events general manager Jules Kay said: “These awards capture more than excellence, they reveal what the market values most. Developers are setting benchmarks for sustainability, connectivity, and livability, while consumer data shows clear demand for quality developments There’s a visible move towards livable, well-connected communities, especially in regions like Johor and Selangor where large-scale townships and mixed-use developments are reshaping the property landscape. At the same time, sustainability is no longer optional, developers are leading by embedding ESG principles into every project. This alignment between innovation, data, and consumer needs is what will define Malaysia’s property success stories in the coming years.”
A total of 73 categories honoured outstanding achievements in Malaysian real estate: from luxury residences to affordable housing, as well as innovative commercial developments nationwide.
