KUCHING: Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King, media and timber magnate, has passed away at the age of 95.
He died at 11 am today (Nov 11) in Sibu, Sin Chew Daily reported.
Tiong served as executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group and honorary chairman of Sin Chew Daily.
Born in 1935 into a humble family in Sibu, he began his working life as a rubber tapper and clerk.
In 1975, he founded the Rimbunan Hijau Group, which has grown into a diversified multinational with operations across timber, media, plantations, oil & gas, mining, and more in countries including Malaysia, China and the US.
According to Forbes, he and his family ranked 25th among Malaysia’s richest in April this year, with an estimated net worth of US$820 million (approximately RM3.4 billion).
Among his accolades, he received the Malaysia Business Leadership Award 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award for his entrepreneurial accomplishments and contributions to the country.
Tiong is credited with building one of Malaysia’s largest media portfolios, including ownership of leading Chinese-language newspapers such as Sin Chew Daily, China Press, and Guang Ming Daily.
He is survived by his wife, Ngu Yii Chuo, and five children.
