SUNWAY Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah has been named the winner of this year’s EY Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, which recognises successful South-East Asian businesses that contribute to the economy and community in the region.
“EY is one of the world’s most prestigious accounting and consulting firms and I am humbled to receive this award,” said Cheah.
“Sunway Group and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation fully share EY’s commitment to building a more progressive, sustainable and inclusive world.
“Sunway Group will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year and this award serves as an early birthday present for everyone at Sunway and all affiliated with the brand and foundation,” he said.
As founder and trustee of the foundation, Cheah aims to give several billion ringgit in scholarships in his lifetime, fulfilling his personal life philosophy of “aspiring to inspire before I expire”.
EY Asean regional managing partner and Ernst & Young Solutions Singapore and Brunei managing partner Liew Nam Soon said Cheah’s story exemplified how sustainability and profitability were complementary.
“This is evidenced by how he transformed Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, which was previously a tin mine, into Malaysia’s first integrated green township.
“Under his astute leadership, Sunway Group continues to integrate technology and sustainable innovations into its business and is today a leading conglomerate with diverse businesses.
“Beyond building a successful business, he makes quality education and world-class expertise affordable and accessible in Malaysia through the foundation, which has disbursed scholarships and grants exceeding RM670mil in 2023,” he said.
In recognition of Cheah’s achievements and services to higher education, healthcare and philanthropy, as well as his lifelong commitment to nation-building and sustainable development, Cheah was also the first Malaysian to have been conferred the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III, which carries the title “Sir”.
He is also only the second philanthropist in Asia to have been named four times as Forbes Asia Hero of Philanthropy.
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