D’Art Hills Residence, a three-storey terrace house development in Kulai, won the Best Landed Architectural Design award in 2023 at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Malaysia.
PH World expands with five core business divisions for sustained growth
IN the business world, every leader has their own way of driving growth — through a combination of values, vision and relentless determination.
Datuk David Pang, the eldest son of the third generation in his family, has paved a path defined by hard work, innovation and personal development.
While the family business, originally founded by Pang Hock (PH), was passed down to the second generation with a focus on construction, however, David chose to forge his own path in 2006. He ventured into the property development sector by establishing PH World, a bold decision that marked the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey.
Humble beginnings
From the very start, the odds seemed stacked against him. David faced overwhelming challenges that tested his resolve—insufficient funds, a lack of industry talent, limited business connections and fewer than 10 employees.
However, instead of being deterred by these obstacles, he drew on the values instilled in him by his family and demonstrated unyielding perseverance.
David has built a legacy reflecting both lineage and a personal journey of determination, innovation and growth.
Recognising that running a property development company demanded strong cash flow, David sought financing but quickly discovered that securing bank loans was no easy feat for a new company with limited background.
Through his dedication to success, hard work and with some financial backing from his father, Phang Piow, David gradually overcame these early setbacks and led his small but passionate team to launch a series of development projects.
In 2008, PH World embarked on its first property development, Taman Tropika, located in Kulai. This marked a significant turning point in the company’s history, setting the stage for future growth.
But David’s vision went beyond just building homes; he aimed to create developments that intertwined art, nature and people. He realised that innovation was key to differentiating his company in an increasingly competitive market.
Malaysia’s first art building
In 2010, David embarked on a transformative journey, travelling abroad to study ecological integration.
His exposure to new concepts and techniques would eventually reshape his approach to property development. The culmination of this newfound inspiration was the creation of Malaysia’s first art building that seamlessly blended art, nature and people called PP Art Museum.
Officially opened to the public in 2011, the museum, which attracted over 6,000 visitors, was more than just an architectural marvel; its exterior was beautifully landscaped with weathered sea stones and reclaimed railway sleepers, creating a tranquil setting to house his father’s lifelong collection of invaluable Eastern and Western artworks and literary treasures.
The museum’s design reflected David’s commitment to sustainability, with its eco-friendly systems such as composting food waste for gardening, solar energy generation and rainwater harvesting.
The building also integrated effective microorganisms (EM) technology from Japan to purify the air, creating a harmonious environment with nature.
This innovation earned the PP Art Museum the prestigious GreenRE Building award and certification, firmly establishing PH World as a company that fused aesthetics with sustainability.
By adopting the philosophy of Art, Nature, People, David ensured that these principles would be embedded in all of PH World’s future projects. His commitment to sustainable, culturally rich developments became a hallmark of the company.
Diversification for resilience
David knew that relying solely on property development posed a significant risk, especially in a volatile market. This prompted him to pursue diversification and in 2013, PH World entered the mining business, establishing a large-scale mining in collaboration with business partners.
This move into a new sector provided the company with greater operational resilience and opened up new revenue streams.
The following year, in 2014, David’s ambition continued to grow. Seeing an opportunity in the booming palm oil industry, the company acquired its first palm oil mill, Ladang Siang Palm Oil Mill, in partnership with another business partner.
The mill’s processing capacity of 35 tonnes per hour marked the company’s entry into yet another industry, setting the stage for future growth.
PH World’s expansion into multiple sectors paid off in the years that followed.
By 2018, the company had undergone a full rebranding, reflecting its evolution into a diversified conglomerate.
The rebranded PH World was now involved in five key areas: property, palm oil mills, mining, eco innovation and hospitality ventures such as restaurants and art museum.
The PP Art Museum also remained a central part of the company’s identity, reinforcing its dedication to cultural preservation and innovation, and it is also used as a centre for technological research and development.
PH World expanded its operations in 2023 with the acquisition of Ledang Mas Palm Oil Mill, enhancing its processing capacity to 90 tonnes per hour.
Sustaining success
The company’s palm oil business saw significant growth. In 2019, the processing capacity of Ladang Siang Palm Oil Mill increased from 35 tonnes per hour to 60 tonnes per hour, with a strong emphasis on recycling waste for more efficient operations. This focus on sustainability echoed the principles that David had long championed. His leadership in diversifying the company’s portfolio helped propel PH World to new heights, with annual revenue reaching nearly RM1bil in 2023.
Under David’s leadership, one of the company’s standout projects, D’Art 18 Collection III, won Best Housing Architectural Design award and was highly commended for Best Mid End Landed Development (Southern) at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Malaysia in 2020, further cementing PH World’s reputation for excellence.
Two years later, the company introduced its latest project D’Art Hills Residence, which became the first gated development with a private clubhouse in Kulai - D’Hub 360.
This prestigious project also received a Best Landed Architectural Design award in 2023, while its D’Hub 360 garnered a Best Clubhouse Design award, showcasing David’s commitment to creating luxurious living spaces that harmoniously blend art, nature and people.
Not content with resting on past achievements, PH World acquired its second palm oil mill, Ledang Mas Palm Oil Mill, in 2023, with a processing capacity of 90 tonnes per hour.
This acquisition marked another significant step in the company’s growth trajectory, ensuring its continued success in the palm oil sector.
Preparing the next generation for leadership
As the business expanded across various industries, David knew it was crucial to cultivate the next generation of leaders within his family.
In 2024, he entrusted the management of the Palm Oil Mill Division to his eldest son, Stanley Pang, while his younger son, Joseph Pang, took charge of the Property Division. Under their leadership, the company continues to grow and win numerous awards.
Stanley, managing director of the Palm Oil Mill Division, began his palm oil venture with his father, David, in 2014. Despite initial challenges due to limited expertise and talent, Stanley implemented large-scale reforms and innovative solutions, eventually acquiring a second palm oil mill in 2023, expanding the company’s footprint.
Meanwhile, managing director of Property Division, Joseph led the acquisition of 122ha of land in the Iskandar region of Johor in 2024, increasing the total landbank of PH World Property to 224ha.
This landbank, with a gross development value of over RM8bil, will encompass the development of more than 10,000 landed homes, condominiums, commercial and industrial properties.
PH World Property is planning to launch six projects in the Iskandar region in 2025.
A vision of sustained growth
David’s visionary leadership has not only diversified PH World into multiple industries but also ensured that the company remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
From 2008 to 2024, his leadership transformed PH World into a diversified conglomerate, laying a strong foundation for the future while ensuring that his family’s legacy continues to thrive for generations to come.
While David, as the group’s executive chairman, remains actively involved in overseeing the company’s strategic direction, social responsibility, networking and exploring new ventures, his retired father, Phang Piow, has shifted his focus to calligraphy.
Phang Piow, who was accorded the Sim Mow Yu Calligraphy Spirit Award, is planning to hold a charity exhibition at the Johor Baru Hakka Association, showcase his 100 calligraphy works with all proceeds donated to the association.
For info, visit phworldproperty.com.my, or phworldpalmoil.com.my. Alternatively, call 018-663 2688.
