Robert Kuok: Businessman and Philanthropist

Authors

Kam Hing LEE, New Era University CollegeFollow

Abstract

Robert Kuok is ranked as the wealthiest businessman in Malaysia, He is also a most generous philanthropist. This paper traces how Kuok gained enormous wealth by turning a small family business into one of the world’s largest trading company in rice, sugar, palm oil and diversifying into hotel, insurance, and transport.
As his wealth grew, Kuok set up the Kuok Foundation which over the years has given out millions of ringgit in scholarships and study loans to thousands of university students. Kuok has also donated millions for the setting up of Xiamen University branch campus in Malaysia and to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. He has also funded research in science, medicine and technology.
This trait of philanthropy of Kuok is common among Chinese businessmen in Malaysia. These Chinese businessmen funded schools and welfare programmes of the community. But of the Chinese businessmen, Kuok is foremost in creating foundations to manage, invest, and dispense funds for education and other philanthropic purposes.

Recommended Citation

LEE, Kam Hing (2017) "Robert Kuok: Businessman and Philanthropist," Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://mjcs.newera.edu.my/journal/vol6/iss1/2