“There’s no question, Malaysian architects are just as capable as anyone out there. What they often lack is the chance to show it,” reflects Ar. Firadaus Khazis, speaking at the Forum @ PAM Pavilion during ARCHIDEX 2025. His words echo a sentiment that many in the industry feel but rarely say aloud, a quiet longing for local brilliance to be recognised on home soil.

A proud alumnus of the PAM 40 Under 40 programme, Firadaus is part of a generation shaped by local streets, weathered kopitiams, and kampung rooftops, architects whose ideas were born from our own cultural DNA. While globalisation has broadened the Malaysian market and brought in international expertise, it has also quietly edged out opportunities for homegrown architects to take the lead on projects within their own cities.

That’s why initiatives like PAM’s 40 Under 40 matter. “It’s more than just a platform,” Firadaus says. “It’s a lifeline. A place for young talents to connect with contractors, suppliers, mentors – people who believe in what Malaysian design can become.”

He believes local architects bring something no international portfolio can replicate: an intuitive grasp of our identity. “We’re raised in this climate, among our traditions, with our stories. Our sensitivity to space, culture, and context – it’s not taught, it’s lived.”

While he acknowledges the value of foreign insight, he makes a heartfelt suggestion: “When we bring in global names, let’s pair them with local talents, not just for support, but for shared learning, for continuity, for legacy.”

Ultimately, Firadaus’s message is clear. The talent is here. The spirit is here. All we need is a little more trust.

ARCHIDEX, he says, is more than an exhibition. It’s the stage. And now, it’s time for Malaysian architects to take their rightful place on it.