Yeoh Tiong Lay (Chinese: 楊忠禮; 18 December 1929 – 18 October 2017) was a Malaysian billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He founded YTL Corporation,[1] Malaysia's largest conglomerate, with interests in construction, utilities, hotels, property development and technology. YTL is based primarily in Malaysia but has extensive operations in Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom, where it owns the utility Wessex Water.


Yeoh Tiong Lay

楊忠禮
Born(1929-12-18)18 December 1929
Died18 October 2017(2017-10-18) (aged 87)
Burial placeNilai Memorial Park
NationalityMalaysian
Occupation(s)Chairman, YTL Corporation
SpousePuan Sri Datin Seri Tan Kai Yong
Children7, including Francis Yeoh and Yeoh Soo Keng
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese杨忠礼
Traditional Chinese楊忠禮
Hanyu PinyinYáng Zhōnglǐ
JyutpingJoeng4 Zung1 Lai5
Hokkien POJIûⁿ Tiong-lé / Iôⁿ Tiong-lé
Tâi-lôIûnn Tiong-lé / Iônn Tiong-lé

In 2013, he established the Yeoh Tiong Lay Centre for Politics, Philosophy & Law at King's College, London with a gift of US$11 million.[2]

Early life edit

A Malaysian Chinese of Kinmen and Zhangzhou Hokkien roots, Yeoh Tiong Lay was the third eldest child in his family. He completed his secondary school education at Hin Hua High School in Klang, Malaysia.

Career edit

Yeoh was one of the richest individuals in Malaysia; his family is estimated to have a net worth of US$3 billion as of October 2017.[3]

Personal life edit

Yeoh married Tan Kai Yong in 1952 and they were married for 65 years until his death in 2017.[citation needed]

He is the father of Francis Yeoh, Yeoh Soo Min, Victor Yeoh Seok Kian, Yeoh Seok Hong, Michael Yeoh, Yeoh Soo Keng and Mark Yeoh, all of whom are involved in the YTL Group and leading their own respective divisions. At the time of his death, he had 27 grandchildren (including Ruth Yeoh, Michelle Yeoh, Rebekah Yeoh and Rachel Yeoh) as well as 5 great-grandchildren.[citation needed]

Involved with charitable societies in Malaysia, he lent financial support to various educational establishments, and was chairman of Hin Hua High School, his alma mater.[citation needed]

He died on 18 October 2017.[4]

Honours edit

Honours of Malaysia edit

Foreign honours edit

References edit

  1. ^ YTL Corporation
  2. ^ "King's College London - £7 million gift establishes Yeoh Tiong Lay Centre for Politics, Philosophy & Law £7 million gift establishes Yeoh Tiong Lay Centre for Politics, Philosophy & Law". www.kcl.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Yeoh Tiong Lay". Forbes. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Yeoh family donates RM8mil to charity - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
  6. ^ "YTL founder appointed pro-chancellor of UMS | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ "SPMS 1996". awards.selangor.gov.my.
  8. ^ "促进台马关系受肯定 杨忠礼获颁四等景星勋章|中国报". 中国报 China Press. Retrieved 15 January 2021.