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Logging tycoon and media mogul Tiong Hiew King dies at 91
Tiong Hiew King, the executive chairperson of Rimbunan Hijau Group and honorary chairperson of Media Chinese International Limited, which owns Sin Chew Media, has passed away at the age of 91.
Born on March 18, 1934, with ancestral roots in Fujian Province, China, Tiong co-founded Rimbunan Hijau with his brothers in 1975.
Tiong Hiew King, the executive chairperson of Rimbunan Hijau Group and honorary chairperson of Media Chinese International Limited, which owns Sin Chew Media, has passed away at the age of 91.
Born on March 18, 1934, with ancestral roots in Fujian Province, China, Tiong co-founded Rimbunan Hijau with his brothers in 1975.
Under his leadership, the conglomerate grew into a global powerhouse with interests spanning forestry, palm oil plantations, oil and gas, information and communications technology, hospitality, manufacturing, and more.
Tiong was a formidable figure in the media. In 1988, he acquired Sin Chew Daily, which had been taken over by United Overseas Bank following financial struggles and had been suspended during the "Ops Lalang" period.
In 2006, he expanded his media empire by acquiring Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press from MCA, gaining control over four major Chinese-language newspapers - including Sin Chew Daily and Guang Ming Daily - and dominating the Chinese-language press in Peninsular Malaysia.
The acquisition followed the controversial 2001 takeover of Nanyang Press Holdings by MCA’s Huaren Holdings, a move that sparked protests from journalists and the Chinese community over fears of eroding editorial independence.
Tiong’s media influence extended beyond Malaysia. He expanded operations into Indonesia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, and the United States, founding the English-language newspaper The National in Papua New Guinea.
In 2008, his Sin Chew Media Group merged with Ming Pao Media and Nanyang Press to form Media Chinese International Limited, the largest overseas Chinese-language media group.
Beyond business, Tiong was a dedicated community leader, serving as the founding president of the Fuzhou Ten Counties Association and the global Zhang Clan Association.
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