Kota Kinabalu:WSG Group Managing Director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen was conferred the World Chinese Distinguished Woman Entrepreneur Award by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific for her outstanding achievements and business acumen.
She received the award from the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam at the 2022 Global Chinese Economic & Technology (GCET) Summit held in Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur on Dec 7, in the presence of GCET founder Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew.
Mohd Ali commended Susan for her notable achievements in the property industry.
As a female developer, Susan said the award is an honour and recognition to all women, who have demonstrated strong work ethic, determination and perseverance to excel in their respective fields.
She ventured into property development as a young woman, learning the ropes while working alongside her late father, property giant Datuk Seri Dr Wong Kwok, in numerous major projects.
In 2007, she founded her own company, WSG Group, and debuted her first development in Kinarut, River Park terrace homes. Since then, she has completed Rose Garden, Palm Square and The Palm Condominium, effectively turning Kinarut from a sleepy town to a thriving area.
At the same time, Susan acquired 100 acres of land at Benoni, Papar as she envisions a new township that will transform Papar into a vibrant, thriving hub.
She kick started the mega project with Benoni Commercial Centre and Benoni Gardens, which comprise 180 shoplots and 234 condominium units, spanning 40 acres in total.
Today, Benoni Commercial Centre has become a prosperous business precinct that serves the ever-growing population in Benoni.
Meanwhile, the remaining 60 acres are earmarked for Parklane City. Construction is currently underway for 138 units of two- and three-storey shoplots and 180 Parklane Villa terrace homes.
The WSG Group will soon launch Parklane Condominium, consisting of four 19-storey towers with a total of 656 units in the near future. Residents at Benoni will enjoy having Servay Hypermarket, McDonald’s drive-thru, 10Star Cinemas and shopping mall at Parklane City.
In fact, Susan was awarded “Best Developer for Township Development” for Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City projects in Papar by Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) on Sept 18.
Over the past 12 years, the WSG Group has built more than 1,000 residential homes and commercial shoplots and created new townships in Kinarut and Papar.
In receiving the award, Susan thanked her family, the WSG Group team and customers for their support which enabled her to achieve her goals.
Business aside, Susan is a generous philanthropist and an active leader in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as she always strives to make a positive impact in Chinese education and cultural preservation.
She had served as the president of Shareda for two terms from 2009 to 2012. At present, she is the president of several Chinese associations, namely the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), Federation of Jiangmen Associations Malaysia, Sabah United Sze Yip Association, Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah, and The Federation of Guangdong Associations Sabah.
She also serves as the secretary of Huang Association of Malaysia, secretary-general of Kota Kinabalu Huang Clan (Jiang-Xia) Association Sabah and deputy president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
In recognition of her contribution to the society, Susan was conferred the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) state award on October 2007, which carries the title ‘Datuk’.
Susan’s achievements as a successful female developer earned her the Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Award and Outstanding Woman Award from the Sabah State Government in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
She had also spearheaded the organisation of the 28thMalaysian Chinese Cultural Festival on November 11, 2011 in her capacity as the vice president of FCAS.
Furthermore, she served as the organizing chairperson when Kota Kinabalu Huang Clan (Jiang-Xia) Association Sabah played host to the 11th World Huang Clan Convention 1st Session that was held in Kota Kinabalu from December 3 and 4 in 2011.
In 2012, Sabah United Sze Yip Association led by Susan hosted the third World Youth Congress of Jiangmen in the state capital from June 1 to 3, where she was conferred the Outstanding Jiangmen Youth Award.
Her effort in promoting cultural, economic and tourism exchanges between Jiangmen, China and Sabah gained the recognition of the Chinese Government as well. She was awarded the title of ‘Honorary Citizen of Jiangmen City’ in 2013 and ‘Honorary Citizen of Taishan’ in 2015.
On November 17, 2017, Susan received the ‘World Top 10 Outstanding Cantonese Award’.
She was also invited to attend the first Overseas Chinese Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Conference (OCBC) from November 11 to 15, 2019 where she spoke on behalf overseas Chinese at the opening ceremony of the Overseas Chinese Cultural Exchange and Cooperation and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Cultural Creativity Development Conference.