SIBU, Nov 11 — Rimbunan Hijau Group executive chairman and philanthropist Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King passed away at about 11am today after a period of illness. He was 91.
Tiong was also the founding president of the World Fuzhou Association and the World Zhang Clan Association.
Born in Fujian Province, China, on March 18, 1934, Tiong was the eldest of nine siblings.
Coming from a poor family, he was unable to receive a full formal education. At the age of 13, he dropped out of school and rented a small shop to help ease his family’s financial burden.
However, when his mother’s health deteriorated, he had to abandon that plan and later resumed his studies while working, eventually completing his secondary education.
Tiong had his early education at Chung Cheng Secondary School at Tanjong Kunyit.
Later, he took correspondence courses from the Xiamen University, China. He also mastered Chinese, English, Malay and the Iban language.
At 18, during a period of patriotic fervour, Tiong felt a deep desire to return to China. His father did not oppose the idea but handed him a letter advising him to always prioritise the care of his siblings and family.
This letter would later become a lifelong source of encouragement for Tiong.
In 1975, Tiong and his brothers co-founded Rimbunan Hijau Group, based on years of business experience and an entrepreneurial spirit of diligence and perseverance.
The company gradually expanded from hardware and construction materials into various sectors – timber, oil palm plantations, hotels, retail, information technology and finance.
Under Tiong’s leadership, Rimbunan Hijau expanded across Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, China and beyond.
Tiong was also one of the founders of United Daily News and the Brunei Times in Brunei.
As a media magnate, he went on to control several major Chinese-language newspapers in Malaysia, including Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, and China Press.
In June 2009, Tiong was conferred the Knight Commander of the Oder of the British Empire (K.B.E) by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in recognition of his contributions to Papua New Guinea’s business and charitable causes.
In 2010, he received the `Lifetime Achievement Award’, honouring his outstanding contribution to economic and social development.
Tiong is survived by his wife, a son, four daughters, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. — The Borneo Post
