SARAWAK: Rimbunan Hijau executive chairman and Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL) honorary chairman Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King has passed away at 11am today.

Tiong, 95, is survived by his wife Puan Sri Ngu Yii Chuo, and five children—his eldest son Tiong Chiong Ong and daughters Datuk Tiong Ing, Tiong Ching, Tiong Chiew, and Tiong Choon.

His youngest son, Datuk Sri Tiong Chiong Hoo, collapsed and died in office in December 2020.

Besides timber business, Tiong is also a Chinese media tycoon, controlling a number of Chinese newspapers through Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL), formed by successful merger of Ming Pao Enterprise Corporation Limited, Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd and Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd.

MCIL is a holding company for a large portfolio of Chinese-language media outlets serving global Chinese readers in Southeast Asia, Greater China and North America which comprises newspapers, magazines and books.

Tiong was the founder of World Federation of Fuzhou Associations Ltd and the World Tiong Clan Association.

Tiong was born on March 18, 1934 and the eldest of nine in the family—he had five younger brothers and three younger sisters.

He grew up in poverty and was unable to complete formal education.

At age 13, Tiong dropped out of school and rented farmland to help ease his family’s financial burden.

However, objected by his mother, Tiong gave up the idea of farming and returned to school, completing his secondary education through part-time study and work.

He studied in Chung Cheng Secondary School and Methodist High School in Sibu and subsequently learned English in Sacred Heart High School.

He pursued correspondence courses from Xiamen University, China.

Tiong loved Chinese literature and he was good in Malay, English, Iban and little Japanese.

At the age of 18, Tiong was moved by the trend of studying in China and expressed his wish to his father.

However, a heartfelt letter from his father changed his mind — urging him to stay and prioritize the family.

 Years later, Tiong realized that his father’s letter had saved him from a life-altering event.

Many of his classmates who returned to China suffered political turmoil and disillusionment.

Reflecting on this, Tiong remained deeply grateful to his father for steering him away from returning to China.

In 1975, Tiong and his brothers founded Rimbunan Hijau Sdn Bhd. Leveraging their business experience, resilience, and vision, they rapidly expanded the company into a major corporate group.

 Under his leadership, the company grew into a global enterprise with operations in forestry, palm oil plantations, oil and gas, information and communications technology, hospitality, manufacturing, and various other investments.

 He was also the founder of The National, an English-language newspaper in Papua New Guinea.

In June 2009, Tiong was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, receiving the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) in recognition of his contributions to business, society, and philanthropy in Papua New Guinea.

 In 2010, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Malaysian Business Leadership Awards, presented by the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, honoring his business accomplishments and national contributions.

In April, Forbes ranked Tiong and his family as the country’s 25th richest with a net worth of US$820million (RM 3.5 billion).

Listed companies in Malaysia controlled by Tiong are: Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd, Subur Tiasa Holdings Bhd and Rimbunan Sawit Bhd.