FIABCI Malaysia Engages Deputy Prime Minister II on Professional Practice Boundaries

On 6 November, our Group Managing Director, YBhg Datuk Sr Firdaus Musa, in his capacity as the President of FIABCI Malaysia, had the honour of attending a high-level meeting with YAB Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Finance II, to discuss the intrusion of professional practice by other sectors into the real estate agency profession.

The meeting was attended by presidents and representatives from key professional bodies within Malaysia’s property and real estate fraternity, including the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM), the Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia (PEPS), the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA), the Malaysian Institute of Professional Estate Agents and Consultants (MIPEAC), the Persatuan Hartanah Muslim Malaysia (PEHAM), and the Bumiputera Real Estate Practitioners Association (BumiPro).

The discussion focused primarily on the Standard Remuneration Order (SRO) by the Bar Council, which raises concerns among property professionals as it appears to encroach into the practice scope of registered real estate agents regulated under the Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers Act 1981 (Act 242). The associations collectively voiced their position that each profession must operate within its legally defined boundaries to safeguard public trust, uphold ethical standards, and prevent overlapping of practice that could mislead consumers.

Representing FIABCI Malaysia, Datuk Sr Firdaus Musa articulated a strong stance on maintaining the professional independence and regulatory sanctity of the real estate, valuation, and property management sectors. He emphasised that real estate agency practice is a registered and regulated profession under the purview of BOVAEP, requiring qualification, registration, and adherence to strict ethical guidelines — and must therefore not be undertaken by other professions outside this scope.

The Deputy Prime Minister II, YAB Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, responded positively, expressing his understanding and agreement that no profession should overstep or encroach into another’s field of expertise. He assured that the government values the professional contributions of Malaysia’s real estate and property practitioners and will consider the concerns raised in future deliberations on professional boundaries and practice rights.

The meeting concluded on a constructive and encouraging note, symbolising unity among professional associations and reaffirming their shared commitment to protecting the integrity, professionalism, and credibility of Malaysia’s property industry.

This engagement marks another milestone in Datuk Sr Firdaus Musa’s leadership as President of FIABCI Malaysia, demonstrating his active role in championing collaboration, mutual respect, and sound governance within the built environment profession.