YTL founder dies at age 88

The founder of YTL Group of companies, Yeoh Tiong Lay, who was also the executive chairperson of YTL Corporation Bhd and YTL Power International Bhd, passed away peacefully today at age 88.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of my beloved father and founder of the YTL Group,” Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, managing director of YTL Corp and eldest son of the family, said in a statement today,

He said under his father’s illustrious leadership, the YTL Group expanded from its base in Malaysia to encompass operations and projects across the globe.

YTL Group of companies started of as a construction company in Kuala Selangor in 1955 and was turned into an integrated infrastructure developer with operations comprising power generation (in both contracted and merchant markets), water and sewerage services, merchant multi-utilities, communications, construction contracting, property development and investment, manufacturing of cement and other industrial products and supplies, hotel development and management (including restaurant operations), and the provision of consultancy, incubating and advisory services for Internet businesses and Internet-based education solutions and services.

“The growth and development of the YTL Group was always rooted in our chairperson's determination to build a strong, responsible and sustainable company for the benefit of his family, employees, business partners and the wider community, and this is his legacy.

:His work ethic was exemplary and his humility is a testimony to the great man and leader that he was. We will miss him greatly,” said Sock Ping.

The company's secretary Ho Say Keng in a statement said "Tan Sri was an advocate of hard work, perseverance and integrity, not just for his family, but for those around him. He treated his employees as his extended family and is recognised for his love, humility and compassion. We could not have asked for a more gracious and supportive chairperson.

“Yeoh Tiong Lay’s contributions are well-recognised with the conferment of the title of Doctor of Engineering by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and his appointment as honorary life president of the Master Builders Association of Malaysia in 1988,” said the statement.

He was the co-founder and the first chairperson of the Asean Constructors’ Federation.

On Oct 26, 2002, Tiong Lay was conferred an honorary doctorate in Philosophy (Business Administration) by Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and he was installed as pro-chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah on July 1, 2005.

He was the past president and lifetime member of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Association.

Among others, Tiong Lay was conferred the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the economic cooperation and friendship between Japan and Malaysia, including his efforts as an executive member and vice president of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association on Jan 19, 2008.

In 2009, he was accorded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2009 in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and contribution towards the development of the nation. He also had a deep passion for philanthropy and served as the chairperson of YTL Foundation.

As a prominent and well-respected leader in the Chinese community, he held the positions of honorary president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia, honorary president of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce; honorary president of the Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia, honorary president of the Selangor Kim Mooi Association and was advisor to the Kuala Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the company said.

Tiong Lay is survived by his wife, Tan Kai Yong, his seven children, Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, Yeoh Soo Min, Victor Yeoh Seok Kian, Yeoh Seok Hong, Michael Yeoh Sock Siong, Yeoh Soo Keng, Mark Yeoh Seok Kah, his 27 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

YTL Corp is among the 30 largest companies listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, forming one of the component companies of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the stock exchange’s primary benchmark index.

YTL Corp is the parent company of three other listed entities, YTL Power International Bhd, YTL Land & Development Bhd and YTL Hospitality REIT.

In addition, the YTL Group has a stake in Starhill Global Real Estate Investment Trust, which is listed on the Main Board of the SGX-ST, the Singapore stock exchange.

YTL Corp has also had a secondary listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1996, the first non-Japanese Asian company to list on the Tokyo exchange.

- Bernama