Tiong Hiew King is a prominent Malaysian business tycoon, widely known for his great contributions to the timber and media industries.
He rose to prominence as the executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in timber, oil palm plantations and media in Malaysia and internationally.
His strategic business decisions and leadership have helped the company become a global player in these areas.
Apart from business, Tiong is also known for his philanthropic efforts and establishing ties between Malaysia and China. He has played a key role in promoting Chinese media worldwide.
File
- Full name: Tiong Hiew King
- Date of birth: December 1935
- Age: 89 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Nationality: Malaysian
- Occupation: Businessman, executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group
- Parents: None
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Relationship status: None
- Religion: Christianity
- Ethnicity: Chinese Malaysian
- Net worth: $1.97 billion
Early life and education
Tiong Hiew King, now 89 years old as of 2024, was born in December 1935 in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. He grew up in a Chinese family and spent his early years in his hometown, where he was exposed to the timber industry, which later became the foundation of his business empire.
Information about his parents and siblings remains unknown, but the fact that he grew up in an area known for its timber resources may have influenced his future projects.
He then pursued an academic career, although details of the institutions he attended and his educational background are only occasionally available. He identified himself as a Christian and of the Malay-Chinese ethnic group, which shaped his relationship with the wider Chinese-speaking world in his business dealings.
Personal life
Tiong Hiew King’s personal life, including his wife, children and close family relationships, is largely kept private. Public information does not reveal much about his marriage or children.
However, his family issued a statement about his health when false rumours of his death arose in 2017, confirming that he was in good health despite suffering a stroke.
His strong Christian faith was a notable aspect of his life, and he was described as a man actively involved in the community and various charitable activities.
Career
Tiong Hiew King’s career has been shaped by his immense influence in the timber and media industries. He founded Rimbunan Hijau Group, which started as a timber company in the 1970s and expanded into a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with operations worldwide.
The company has significant business interests in timber, palm oil plantations and media, particularly Chinese-language media. Under his leadership, Rimbunan Hijau has become one of Malaysia’s largest timber companies, with extensive operations in countries such as Papua New Guinea.
Aside from timber, Tiong’s contributions to the media industry are equally significant. He owns the influential Chinese-language newspaper Sin Chew Daily and other media publications in Malaysia and Hong Kong.
His acquisitions of these media outlets have had a profound impact on the dissemination of Chinese-language news, both domestically and internationally. His projects have also extended to philanthropy, where he has contributed to educational efforts and job creation in the areas where his company operates.
Prize
- Enterprise Asia Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
Net worth
Tiong Hiew King’s net worth is estimated to be US$1.97 billion. His wealth comes mainly from his business ventures in the timber and media sectors.
Rimbunan Hijau Group’s extensive global timber and palm oil businesses and ownership of multiple media outlets are key drivers of his financial success.
Argumentative
Tiong Hiew King has been embroiled in a number of controversies over the years, particularly around its timber business practices. One of the most persistent allegations concerns deforestation and environmental damage caused by its logging operations, according to Rimbunan Hijau, particularly in Papua New Guinea, where the company holds several logging concessions.
Environmental groups and human rights organizations have criticized Rimbunan Hijau for unsustainable logging practices, which they say have led to deforestation and negative impacts on local indigenous communities.
The company has also come under scrutiny for its labor practices. Allegations have emerged of poor working conditions at some of its logging sites, with workers reportedly facing inadequate safety measures and substandard living conditions.
Tiong’s business in Papua New Guinea, in particular, has sparked debate about the balance between economic development and environmental conservation, with critics accusing the company of prioritizing profits over the well-being of the environment and local people.
Additionally, his ownership of Chinese-language media outlets has also attracted attention as some have accused his publications of being closely linked to government interests, especially in Malaysia.
This has raised concerns about press freedom and the possibility of biased reporting in favor of politicians. Despite these controversies, Tiong has maintained a prominent position in the business and media sectors, and his influence remains considerable.
Social media
- – Instagram: None
- – Twitter: None
