Architecture is an ongoing dialogue—a constant exchange between the local and the global, the individual practitioner and the collective profession, the conceptual idea and its physical manifestation. In this opening edition of the year, Issue 38.1 of Architecture Malaysia, we explore the theme “Reflections in Form.” While this title immediately evokes the physical contours and spatial dynamics of the built environment, it also calls upon us to examine the intangible structures that shape our practice: our collaboration frameworks, regional influences, and the systemic policies that govern how we build.
This dual meaning of the theme resonated deeply with me in January, when I travelled to Shang hai to witness a significant transition in our regional leadership. At the start of the new Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) term, the office of the President passed from our very own Ar. Saifuddin Ahmad—Past President of PAM—to the newly installed ARCASIA President, Prof. Ar. Wu Jiang of China.
Watching this handover, I was struck by a profound sense of pride in Malaysia’s enduring legacy within the region. To date, Malaysia has been a remarkably active force in forging a resilient collaborative platform for architects across Asia.Perhaps owing to our rich multicultural backdrop where we are inherently practised in the nuanced arts of mediation and cross cultural harmony Malaysian architects are frequently called upon to lead on the international stage. We hold a remarkable record, having had a total of five PastPresidents of PAM helm this pivotal regional body;Ar. Saifuddin Ahmad (President 2024–2025), Datuk Ar. Tan Pei Ing (President 2013–2014), Dato’Ar. P. Kasi (Chairman 1999–2000), Tan Sri Ar. Esa Mohamed (Chairman 1995–1996), and Dato’ Ar. Dr Ken Yeang (Chairman 1987–1988).
This changing of the guard took place in conjunction with the Architecture Asia Symposium at Tongji University, where I had the privilege of being an invited speaker — an honour made all the more meaningful by sharing the stage with Professor Veronica Ng, a long-time contributor to our magazine, with whom I co-curated the Malaysian issue of ArchitectureAsia in 2025.
The symposium was held within the TJAD(Tongji Architecture Design Co. Ltd) building, and it was here that observed a design practice and culture surrounding public works that is vastly different from our own. TJAD is a comprehensive ,large-scale state-owned design institution affiliated with the university, often acting as the LocalDesign Institute (LDI) for international architects.Among the presentations, I was amazed to see a concept quite foreign to our local ecosystem: an integrated, almost enmeshed involvement of the university apparatus in delivering high-stakes architectural projects.
Whether it was a highly nuanced community centre in Shanghai or the breathtaking adaptive reuse of an industrial complex into a public arts facility in remote Lhasa, the competition among Chinese architects affiliated with various LDIs for public work is passionate and impressive.The university’s academic rigour is directly injected into civic infrastructure.
Candidly, this stands in stark contrast to our local landscape. In Malaysia, “government buildings” carry a very different connotation. There is an embedded expectation that public projects will be heavily budget-driven, resulting in outcomes that seldom feature in our PAM Awards.
We must ask ourselves: why is there such a disparity in the quality of our public realms? The answer often lies in policy. Perhaps, the quality of recent public buildings in Malaysia is inextricably linked to government procurement frameworks, such as Pekeliling Perbendaharaan (PK) 3.20 of 2018. By allowing the government to enter into contracts with architects below the mandated scale of fees, we have inadvertently normalised fee diving—a race to the bottom that has only worsened in the post-pandemic era. When fees are compromised from the outset, the capacity for local firms to produce innovative design and quality detailing is severely crippled.
The first quarter of 2026 has already proven to be challenging globally. As we navigate these economic headwinds, it is crucial that the government does more than provide stimulus via financial handouts. We must fundamentally revisit the procurement of public facilities.
To move forward, we must advocate for procurement policies that allow for higher budgets tailored to well-designed buildings—structures with operational and environmental sustainability at their very core to preserve long-term resources. It is time for our public works to demonstrate the profound value of good design, elevating even the humblest of environments nationally.
However, this cannot happen in a vacuum. It requires political will and a fundamental respect for the profession. Therefore, I end my foreword with a plea for the government to lead by example: commit to paying full and fair fees to architects, and normalise merit-based appointments for public works. Only by valuing the process can we truly take pride in the final form.
Ar. David Teoh
Editor-in-Chief, Architecture Malaysia
