Tiong Hiew King Biography: Parents, Age, Height, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Awards

Tiong Hiew King is a prominent Malaysian business tycoon who is widely recognized for his immense contributions to the timber and media industries.

He rose to prominence as the executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group, a conglomerate with diversified interests in timber, oil palm plantations, and media in Malaysia and internationally.

His strategic business decisions and leadership helped make the company a global player in these sectors.

Beyond business, Tiong is also known for his philanthropic efforts and for establishing connections between Malaysia and China. He plays a significant role in promoting Chinese media worldwide.

Profile

•   Full name: Tiong Hiew King
•   Date of birth: December 1935
•   Age: 89 years old
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
•   Nationality: Malaysian
•   Profession: Businessman, executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group
•   Parents: N/A
•   Siblings: N/A
•   Spouse: N/A
•   Children: N/A
•   Relationship status: N/A
•   Religion: Christian
•   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 family of Chinese descent and spent his early years in his hometown, where he was exposed to the timber industry, which later became the cornerstone of his business empire.

Information about his parents and siblings remains undisclosed, but his early upbringing in a region known for its timber resources likely influenced his future ventures.

He later pursued his education, though details about the institutions he attended and his academic background are only sometimes available. He identifies as Christian and belongs to the Chinese Malaysian ethnic group, which shaped his ties to the larger Chinese-speaking world in his business dealings.

Personal Life

Tiong Hiew King‘s personal life, including his spouse, children, and close family relationships, are largely kept private. Publicly available information does not reveal much about his marriage or his children.

His family has, however, issued statements on his health when false rumours circulated about his death in 2017, confirming that he remained in good health despite a stroke.

His strong Christian faith has been a notable aspect of his life, and he is described as a man deeply involved in his community and various charitable endeavours.

Career

Tiong Hiew King’s career is defined by his vast influence in the timber and media industries. He founded the 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, oil palm plantations, and media outlets, especially Chinese-language media. Under his leadership, Rimbunan Hijau became one of the largest timber companies in Malaysia, with extensive operations in countries such as Papua New Guinea.

Beyond 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 acquisition of these media outlets has profoundly impacted the dissemination of Chinese-language news, both locally and internationally. His ventures also extend to philanthropy, where he has contributed to education and job creation efforts in the regions where his companies operate.

Awards

•   Lifetime Achievement Award by Enterprise Asia (2011)

Net Worth

Tiong Hiew King‘s net worth is estimated at USD 1.97 billion. His wealth is primarily derived from his business ventures in the timber and media sectors.

The Rimbunan Hijau Group’s extensive global operations in timber and palm oil and his ownership of multiple media outlets have been the key drivers of his financial success.

Controversy

Tiong Hiew King has been involved in a few controversies over the years, particularly surrounding his business practices in the timber industry. One of the most persistent allegations relates to deforestation and environmental damage caused by logging operations under Rimbunan Hijau, especially in Papua New Guinea, where the company has extensive logging concessions.

Environmental groups and human rights organizations have criticized Rimbunan Hijau for unsustainable logging practices, which they claim have led to deforestation and negatively impacted local indigenous communities.

The company has also been scrutinized for its labour practices. Allegations have surfaced about poor working conditions in some of the company’s logging sites, with workers reportedly facing inadequate safety measures and substandard living conditions.

Tiong‘s business dealings in Papua New Guinea, particularly, have sparked debates over the balance between economic development and environmental preservation. Critics accuse the company of prioritizing profits over the welfare of the local environment and people.

Additionally, his ownership of Chinese-language media outlets has attracted attention, with some accusing his publications of being too closely aligned with government interests, particularly in Malaysia.

This has raised concerns about media freedom and the potential for biased reporting favouring the political establishment. Despite these controversies, Tiong has maintained a prominent position in the business and media sectors, and his influence remains significant.

Social Media

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