Goh Cheng Liang (Nippon Paint)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>reportedly worth US$8.2b in 2015 (Forbes, Singapore richest man). Much of it a major stake (39%) in Nippon Paint.
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Ex-rubber tapper who was sold excess paint for a song and resold it for good profit. Then worked with Nippon Paint to distribute and manufacture latter’s products from Tanjong Rhu.
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Involved in trading, food manufacturing, logistics and property development too (eg. Liang Court, Mt Elizabeth hospital)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Now Goh family also owns >5% of ISOTeam, a company that paints HDB flats among other things.
Ng Teng Fong (Far East)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Far East Org and HK-listed Sino Land. 1980s, Far East built 3 malls in Orchard (Far East Shopping Centre, Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza – touted as SEA’s largest mall then.
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>They converted former General Post Office into Fullerton Hotel.
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>1995, gained control of Yeo Hiap Seng.
JY Pillay (SIA)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Founding Chairman of SIA. 2003 as Chairman of SGX. Described by LeeKY as “equal to the best brains in America”. Effective management of capacity and pricing resulted in profitable seasons through booms and busts. When asked how SIA did it, Pillay said “leadership + steady management, rigorously, fairly and consistently”, “no pompous, airy-fairy vision thing”, “passionate dedication to a very high standard and quality of service and a deep commitment to the integrity of the product”.
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Editor of Asian Banker’s Journal Emmanuel said “he puts a basic proposition on the table, and allows everybody to build on it, going away thinking that they contributed to it”
Sim Kee Boon (Keppel Corp)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Keppel Corp is one of the world’s biggest builders of offshore rigs. Also a big property developer and investor in Energy and Telco. Sim joined civil service in 50s, became permanent secretary at Ministory of Communications (1975-1984) and led planning and development of Changi Airport then. 1984-1999 became Keppel’s chairman. Acquired Straits Steamship in 1984 (bad decision) and decided to cut losses on various entities (including retrenchment). From 1984 - $173million loss, 1985 - $49million loss. 1986 – profit a$7.3m, 1987 – profit at $45m. Started financing business for its contractor. Grew to be Keppel TatLee Bank and was acquired by OCBC. Invested in new mobile phone operator, now 2nd largest shareholder of M1.
Wee Cho Yaw (UOB)
<![if !supportLists]>- <![endif]>Wee’s father was a successful businessman based in Sarawak. Wee was given management of United Chinese Bank (UCB) some 30yrs ago. He introduced various new services, expanded the bank regionally, and renamed it to UOB in 1965. UOB took over Chung Khiaw Bank, Lee Wah Bank, Far Eastern Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank (1971-1987). In 2001, UOB’s rival offer at S$10B successfully won him control over OUB. Government controlled DBS lost and issued scathing remark which they later had to apologize for.
