Datuk Seri (Dr) Subramaniam Pillai is the Co-Founder and Group Executive Director of Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA) ─ an engineering, railway, infrastructure, property, and energy company based in Malaysia.
A self-made businessman who started his career at the age of 30, Datuk Seri (Dr) Subramaniam Pillai founded DMIA in 1996 with just five employees. DMIA’s first contract was the construction and completion of an access road to Ebor toll plaza and Batu Tiga Road Upgrading under the Elite Expressway package 1A.
Road and Rail
Today, celebrating its 28th anniversary, the company has over 900 employees and has successfully completed over 203 projects, appointed 407 subcontractors and won 26 awards. Among the infrastructure projects they have completed as subcontractor part of the Central Link KLIA Expressway (Packager 1A), Rail Link to West Port (All balancing culvert and drainage work), subcontractor part Station works, road works and civil works of the Electrified Double Tracking Rawang to Ipoh, major slope rehabilitation works along the North-South Expressway and the LHDN building in Bangi. Another completed project is the West Coast Expressway (WCE) from Beruas Interchange to Taiping South Interchange.
As the main contractor for Klang Valley Electrified Double Track Project (KVDT) Phase 1, they are currently completing project from Rawang to Salak South and running the Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 (KVDT 2) with a joint venture with LTAT, that covers the rehabilitations of two KTM railway lines of over 110 km from Salak South to Seremban and from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Port Klang.
Evolution of the Infrastructure Industry
Under his leadership, DMIA has grown by leaps and bounds. The Group reported a RM 1.08 billion revenue for its 2023 financials. Looking back, Subramaniam Pillai says the infrastructure industry has evolved over the years and has become more technology-driven, sustainable, and client-focused. “There has been a significant shift toward digitalization, automation, and environmentally-friendly practices.”
Commenting on how his leadership has evolved along with the changes, he says, “My leadership has evolved by embracing these changes, fostering innovation, and ensuring that our company adapts to new industry standards. I've become more agile in decision-making, prioritizing continuous learning and collaboration to keep up with the industry's rapid pace of change.”
As for strategies that he has employed to adapt to new technologies and methodologies, he says, “We invest in cutting-edge technologies and encourage a proactive approach to integrating new methodologies.” For instance, DMIA has made investments in cutting-edge railway track machinery like S2PV, TRT and Panel Lifters, a trio of specialised tools that are exclusive to DMIA for Southeast Asia.
Training of staff and collaboration with technology partners has also helped them to stay ahead in infrastructure development.
“We embrace innovation,” he continues, “but never lose sight of the importance of proven methods. By integrating innovative solutions into established processes, we enhance our efficiency while maintaining reliability in project execution.”
Datuk Seri (Dr) Subramaniam says he stays relevant by continuous learning, staying up to date with industry trends and fostering a culture of innovation within the company. Engaging with experts and participating in global forums has also helped him remain informed and adaptable.
Overseas Projects
In 2001, DMIA expanded overseas and completed large infrastructure projects in India valued over several hundred million Ringgit. They completed several projects including The Malaysian High Commission Complex in New Delhi and Six (6) major expressway projects in the states of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu under the National Highway Authority India (NHAI) and State highways.
Licenses, Accreditation and Certification
Through continued demonstrations of their unwavering commitment to quality, DMIA was awarded the esteemed “PKK Class A” and CIDB G7 Contractor status which qualifies them to undertake projects of unlimited value. By deploying top-tier personnel, expertise, skills, and resources, their work is always underscored by their adherence to ISO MS 1722:2011, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 standards. As a testament to their capabilities, they currently hold PETRONAS SWEC licenses, empowering them to advance their presence into the energy sector.
Venturing into the Energy Sector
With their PETRONAS SWEC licenses, DMIA’s latest venture is into the energy sector through their wholly-owned subsidiary One Richfield Sdn Bhd. Drawing on DMIA’s well-established commitment to excellence, DMIA is currently solidifying their presence in the Oil & Gas and Energy sector.
Property Development
DMIA has also ventured into Property Development through their subsidiary DMIA Land (M) Sdn Bhd. Their maiden project was at Seremban, Salak South, Brickfields and Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. Since its inception, DMIA Land (M) Sdn Bhd, which was incorporated in 2000, has expanded its operations and acquired many landbanks. At present, the group has approximately 500 acres of landbanks spanning from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and up to Negeri Sembilan, with a total combined gross development value of more than RM5 billion. Most of the projects are at the advance planning and pre-development stage. The Group offers vast arrays of products ranging from both landed and high rise residential and commercial properties as well as affordable dwellings.
One of their current affordable housing projects for civil servants is PPAM Brickfields ─ a high rise residential development consisting of two tower blocks, 41 stories and a total of 913 units. The development is located on 2.9 acres of prime land in Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur.
Challenges
With all these successes, Datuk Seri (Dr) Subramaniam remembers some of the challenges he has faced. “The most significant challenge was navigating the company through the global economic downturn while maintaining growth. I overcame this by implementing cost-efficient strategies, enhancing operational efficiency, and diversifying our project portfolio to mitigate risk,” he says.
Sustainability and an Inclusive Culture
On how he integrates sustainability into his company operations, he says, “Sustainability is at the core of our operations. We integrate sustainable practices by adopting green building techniques and ensuring our projects have minimal environmental impact, aligning with global standards and client expectations.”
As for how he manages to inspire and lead a multi-generational workforce, he says: “I create an inclusive culture where different generations feel valued. I encourage open communication, mentorship, and development programs to ensure engagement and performance across all age groups.” He also prioritizes leadership development by providing young leaders with opportunities to take on significant roles early. “Mentorship and hands-on experience are key to nurturing future leaders.”
