Tycoon Tiong Hiew King Laid To Rest In Sibu

SIBU, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The remains of the late Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King, 90, founder and executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group who passed away on Tuesday, were laid to rest at Tiong's Memorial Park here today, at about 12.30 pm.

Earlier, the timber and media tycoon's residence at Jalan Brooke Drive here was filled with about 1,000 people, including media practitioners, family members, business associates and employees of the group, who arrived as early as 6.00 am.

The coffin containing Tiong's remains was carried into a hearse at about 7.48 am and accompanied by several other vehicles was paraded past RH Hotel in the city centre before stopping at the Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church for the final prayers.

Afterwards, the procession carrying the body continued past Menara Rimbunan Hijau on Jalan Lanang before proceeding to Tiong's Memorial Park in Jalan Teku here for the funeral ceremony.

The late Tiong was born here in 1935 and received his early education at Chung Cheng Primary School in Sibu, then at Methodist Secondary School and Sacred Heart Secondary School.

His career in the timber industry began while working at his uncle's logging company, before founding the Rimbunan Hijau Group with his siblings in 1975 and successfully building a strong reputation and growing into a multinational company.

Apart from timber export and processing, the group diversified its business into media and publishing, agriculture including palm oil plantations and mills as well as oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, reforestation, finance, information technology, trading and property development.

In 2010, Tiong received the Malaysian Business Leadership Award Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his entrepreneurial contributions to the country.

In Malaysia, there are four publicly listed companies under the group, namely Subur Tiasa Holdings Bhd, Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd, Rimbunan Sawit Bhd and Media Chinese International Ltd.

According to Forbes, Tiong has an estimated net worth of US$820 million, ranking 25th on the list of the 50 Richest People in Malaysia in 2025 (US$1 = RM4.15).

-- BERNAMA