Late businessman remembered as a caring philanthropist

GEORGE TOWN: Peers of prominent developer Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng (pic), found dead after a fatal fall from his Pulau Tikus condominium, regarded the businessman as a philanthropist and “someone who made you feel special”.

“He was my friend, not just a business associate.

“He knew how to make you feel special and different,” said IJM Land senior general manager (north) Datuk Toh Chin Leong.

Toh recalled a time when his daughter was unwell and Ewe took the trouble to source for her medication.

Eco World Development Group Bhd group deputy chief executive officer Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo remembers Ewe as a friendly person and a good soul.

“We met for coffee and at events, and Ewe was always passionate about his corporate social responsibility efforts and charity projects,” he added.

A friend of Ewe, who asked not to be named, recalled an instance in late 2017 when Ewe, a Bukit Mertajam local, felt a desire to help needy children around his hometown.

“He got a list of 15 needy children from around his hometown by going into primary schools for the first time, the following year.

“He sent a team to visit each one at their homes to make sure they had money for uniforms, books and stationery.

“And he bought a year’s supply of chewable multivitamins and mineral supplements for each of them,” Ewe’s friend revealed.

He added that there were countless instances of people asking Ewe for help and receiving it.

Ewe’s rise to the wealthy upper class in Penang began in the late 80s, when he rode the state’s wave of industrialisation.

He formed a series of companies specialising in precision tooling, die cutting and also plastic injection to cater to the needs of global multinational corporations that took root in Penang.

In 2006, Ewe amalgamated his umbrella of companies into Ewein Sdn Bhd.

Two years later, it was publicly listed, and subsequently began delving into the property sector.

As a member of Penang’s corporate citizens, the company was a staunch supporter of various societal events of The Star, including StarProperty.my Fair, Starwalk and FitForLife Run.

Ewein Berhad also carved a reputation for donating generously to schools and temples of various faiths, while Ewe served on the boards of various schools, temples and trade organisations.