Early Life and Education
Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling was born in Pusing, Perak, Malaysia, in the mid-1940s. He pursued a business degree at Victoria University (Footscray Institute of Technology) in Melbourne, Australia. After graduating, he returned to Malaysia and began his career as an accountant in a motor assembly plant.
Rise to Success
In 1974, Cheah founded a small tin-mining company, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. Through strategic vision and hard work, he transformed this company into Sunway Group, one of Malaysia's largest conglomerates. The group has diversified interests in property, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Sunway's development of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, a fully integrated green township, is a testament to his innovative spirit.
Key Business Strategies
Cheah's business strategies focused on sustainable development and community building. He integrated the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into Sunway Group's business strategy. Sunway's expansion into healthcare and fintech, including the acquisition of a stake in Credit Bureau Malaysia, demonstrates his adaptability and forward-thinking approach.
Philanthropy
Cheah is a dedicated philanthropist, and his Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has awarded over RM967 million in scholarships and grants to date. The foundation aims to award over RM1 billion in scholarships. He established the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University and contributed to public schools, showing a commitment to education and societal well-being.