Kota Kinabalu: Delegates from the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia have convened in the State capital here to witness the leadership handover ceremony of the 63rd committee of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kota Kinabalu.
As part of its Women Empowerment 2.0 Corporate Visit series programme, the JCI delegates met with prominent Sabahan property developer Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen to explore her leadership and entrepreneurial journey at Parklane City show gallery in Benoni Commercial Centre, Papar, here.
The visit gave the delegates an insight into how Susan’s award-winning development projects have significantly transformed suburban landscapes in Sabah.
Susan, the managing director of WSG Group, has revitalised Kinarut and Papar into contemporary residential and commercial hubs with Kinarut Palm City, Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City developments.
The former president of the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) from 2009 to 2013 also received the 19th Asia Pacific International Honesty – Book of Records 2022 award in recognition of her achievements in the real estate industry.
Her journey in property development began in her father’s company. After graduating from her studies in Canada, Susan worked from the ground up under the mentorship of her father, the late Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Wong Kwok.
She was given the opportunity to personally handle all aspects of land acquisition, financing, and licence applications.
Susan played a key role in helping her father transform his business from a construction contractor into a full-fledged property development company and ultimately a business empire.
In 2006, Susan founded her own company, the WSG Group. She was confronted with financial challenges in the early stages of her solo venture.
However, she firmly believes in her father’s motto that “a winner never quits”, and she successfully overcame the obstacles with perseverance and determination.
In 2007, WSG launched its very first project — Taman Sungai Wang — a development of 220 double-storey terrace houses in Kinarut, which sold out immediately upon launching. This success boosted Susan’s confidence and greatly enhanced the reputation of her company. Since then, she has developed several major projects in Kinarut, including Rose Garden, The Palm Condominium and Palm Square Commercial Centre.
These projects transformed what was once a sleepy suburban township into one of the most vibrant residential and commercial areas, featuring commercial shoplots, condominiums with recreational clubs, and more. The housing and commercial projects have significantly improved the economic and social development of the townships.
WSG Group’s corporate vision is to create ideal living environments that integrate natural scenery, recreational sports activities and modern convenience, with the aim to transform lifestyles while reflecting its strong commitment to community development.
In 2013, WSG expanded into Papar with the launch of two major developments, namely Benoni Commercial Centre and Benoni Gardens Condominium, which spans 40 acres in Papar.
The company later embarked on another ambitious 60-acre project – Parklane City. These developments injected new vitality into the area’s economic growth, once again creating a real estate success story that captured widespread attention. The projects have garnered multiple awards, putting WSG in the spotlight as a prominent developer in the industry.
Susan’s exceptional foresight cements her leading position in the male-dominated real estate industry. She has not only lived up to her father’s legacy but also exceeded the achievements of the previous generation.
And for that, Susan has been hailed as the “phoenix among men” for her accomplishments in the property development industry.
In her meeting with JCI, Susan said women who venture into entrepreneurship must be resilient, exercise self-love, and be assertive to avoid being taken advantage of.
“We must be humble and show respect to others. Learn to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and consider things from their perspective, empathise with the struggles of others, and we shall attract kind and supportive people into our lives. “Interact with others, and you may find someone who will lend a helping hand when you need it the most. You will realise that all challenges can be overcome quite easily,” Susan said.
