text by Janice Teh
Monica Lai, Group CEO, Director of Eccaz Sdn Bhd and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd
Starting a new company can be both a daunting and thrilling venture. For Monica Lai, who holds the titles of Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Director of Eccaz Sdn Bhd, and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd, this prospect is met with a unique perspective shaped by her extensive 25 years of experience in the property development field, an experience that was honed during her tenure at the helm of Ireka Corporation Berhad.
It’s easy to assume that Monica might be unfazed by the challenges ahead of her, but even with her wealth of experience, Monica admits to feeling a little intimidated on her new journey.
In the whirlwind of challenges brought on by the pandemic in mid-2021 at Ireka, Monica and her father, Datuk Lai Siew Wah, decided to embark on a new venture. “Exiting Ireka was painful and the most difficult decision I had to make, as the company was founded by my father’s blood, sweat, and tears over 50 years ago,” says Monica. “It was his legacy, as well as my late brother’s. But the time had come to cede to someone who promised us that they could give Ireka and its employees a better future.”
Encouraged by her father’s unwavering support, Monica decided the time was right to take on the challenge of starting Eccaz.
Eccaz Sdn Bhd
Eccaz springs forth from the illustrious roots of the Ireka Corporation Berhad, a renowned construction and property development entity founded by Datuk Lai Siew Wah in 1967. With a rich history spanning over five decades in the construction industry, Ireka played a significant role in prominent projects such as the MRT V7 rail line, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport runway, the North-South Expressway, the Putrajaya Government Administrative Offices, DiGi Corporate Office (D’House), Technology Park Malaysia, and The RuMa Hotel and Residences, among others.
As a private investment holding company based in Kuala Lumpur, Eccaz is actively involved in property development and urban transportation. Despite being a newcomer to the scene, the company boasts credentials and a heritage that comes with over 55 years of experience in the field of construction, infrastructure, and property development.
That said, Monica’s profound passion lies in urban transportation and new energy, with the belief that land use and transport in any city are interconnected in a way that the use of land will influence the way local communities travel. This in turn, will shift the behaviour and demand for where people want to live, work and socialise.
“Just imagine being able to walk along the streets of a city that is not congested with traffic or being able to drive on streets that are not constantly being closed or diverted because of multi-year-long constructions of public transit systems,” she says.
Foreseeing the evolution of urban transportation, Eccaz, together with the largest rolling stock company in the world, China City Industrial Group (“CCIG”) have set up a subsidiary company, Mobilus Sdn Bhd, to focus on the implementation of urban transportation systems through the deployment of innovative and new energy solutions including electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Mobilus also intends to further advancements in battery and new energy technologies, enabling the deployment of sustainable solutions to minimise long-term environmental impact. The ART technology, developed by partner CRRC, facilitates cost-effective mass transit solutions.
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Working closely with Chan Chi Kian, the Chief Executive Officer of Mobilus, Monica is dedicated to enhancing human interactions and fostering community bonds. “Sustainable and resilient cities are cities where its people can work, live and play in a productive, healthy and wholesome manner,” she stresses. “Where we work, live and play and how we travel and connect between these places play an important part in determining how productive, healthy and wholesome our lives are.”
As for current projects undertaken by Mobilus, Monica reveals the groundbreaking initiative taken in Kuching, Sarawak, as part of the Kuching Urban Transport System.
“Convincing any government to adopt a new transport system is not easy,” she acknowledges. “We began the long process in 2019 to convince the Sarawak Government to introduce a green transport system that would be the first in Malaysia.”
The project, featuring 38 units of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is a remarkable contribution aimed at creating cleaner cities with reduced pollution levels, a vision that the company hopes to spread across Malaysia and potentially beyond borders.
Monica is clear that the way for cities to develop is to improve the way people move around. “In a sense, our approach towards both property development and urban transportation is really to restore and improve human connectivity, which we believe is the cornerstone for a sustainable and resilient city,” she explains.
Monica Lai, Group CEO, Director of Eccaz Sdn Bhd and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd
Under her leadership, Eccaz has transcended the conventional boundaries of property development, evolving into a multifaceted entity that goes beyond the construction of physical spaces.
Take, for example, Eccaz’s property development arm, exemplified by TuJu Residences @ Duta North, which prioritises community-centric design and sustainable materials. “We have incorporated many elements relevant to today’s communities, such as providing more landscaped open spaces and communal areas, multi-generation living spaces, configurable units and more,” she says while stressing the importance of direct community feedback to ensure the projects meet homeowners’ needs.
Drawing from her background in Accountancy and Economics at City University, London, Monica believes her knack for entrepreneurship and management style was influenced by her educational roots. When asked about what advice she would give her younger self, Monica emphasised the importance of continuous learning and the importance of working with others. “Teamwork is vitally important to me. Working with a team of people who will always have each other’s backs to achieve common goals is critical.”
Beyond managing the diverse responsibilities required in her role, Monica explains how time management is a big part of her day-to-day life. “Prioritising well and making time for strategies, clients, business partners, board members, employees, and shareholders have been one of my biggest challenges.”
But amid the challenges, Monica finds solace in the philosophy of taking things one step at a time, a useful reminder for an endeavour that aims to improve the way we live and connect with one another. “Be kind to yourself and don’t sweat over small things.”
