Eric Chia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Eric Chia, a former steel tycoon with high political connections who was acquitted last year in Malaysia's biggest financial scandal, died Tuesday, news reports said. He was 75.
Chia died after developing breathing difficulties, The Star newspaper said on its Web site.
The Star said he died at a hospital but national news agency Bernam said he died at his private room in a hotel that he owned.
The contradictory reports could not be immediately reconciled, and Chia's family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chia, who had close ties to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government in the 1990s, is one of the few high-profile figures to have been charged in court for graft since current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in October 2003 and pledged to fix Malaysia's reputation for corruption and cronyism.
Chia was the managing director of Malaysia's top government-controlled steel company, Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd., when it teetered near collapse more than a decade ago under debts and losses exceeding 10 billion ringgit ($3 billion). He was charged with criminal breach of trust in February 2004 for allegedly misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit ($22 million) from Perwaja.
But he was acquitted on June 26, 2007, when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him. Chia, who had attended the trial in a wheelchair, had dismissed the acquittal as a hollow victory, saying his reputation had already been tarnished.
THE STRAITS TIMES
| June 24, 2008 |
| Former M'sian steel tycoon Eric Chia dies at 74: report |
| KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S former steel tycoon Eric Chia, a close associate of ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad and who was acquitted on charges of embezzlement has died aged 74, according to a report on Tuesday. Chia, who was managing director of the government-owned steel company Perwaja, died at about 0100 GMT (5pm Singapore time) in a city hospital after suffering breathing difficulties, the Star daily reported on its website. The tycoon made headlines in 1994 when he was charged with criminal breach of trust for misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit (S$32 million) and Perwaja almost collapsed under debts exceeding three billion dollars. The wheelchair-bound Chia, upon his acquittal last year, said his vindication had come too late, the Star reported. Chia said he had lost his family and was estranged from his son and daughter because of the shame, the report said. Dr Mahathir could not be reached for comment. Perwaja was one of several massive industrial projects initiated by Dr Mahathir in the 1990s to turn Malaysia into a regional high-tech manufacturing, financial and telecommunications hub. The projects also included national car company Proton and the Astro satellite television service. -- AFP |
Friday June 27, 2008
Funeral just as Chia wished
SUNGAI PETANI: It was a simple funeral, just as tycoon Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock had wanted. Chia, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday, was laid to rest at a Christian cemetery in Sungai Layar here at about 1pm yesterday, witnessed by family members and friends.
The cortege left his Park Avenue Hotel at Taman Sejati here around noon, going through the town before reaching the cemetery, about 5km away.
The 74-year-old former Perwaja Steel managing director left behind wife Grace, 60, son Michael, 48, and a daughter.
Sombre mood: Friends of the family placing candles on Chia’s grave at the Sungai Layar Christian cemetery in Sungai Petani Thursday. Michael described his father as a man with a big heart, who adopted a no-nonsense approach to life.
“My father was passionate in whatever he did. I am grateful he and I shared special events in life, including my wedding in New York,” he said in his eulogy, adding that Chia had been very fond of his five-year-old granddaughter.
Chia’s brother Dennis, 70, described him as a man with big ambitions, big ideas and a big heart.
Senior lawyer Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said Chia was “well acquainted with each and every rung of the ladder to success”.
“He had often said that he wanted a simple funeral.”
Eric Chia dies of heart attack
SUNGAI PETANI: Former Perwaja Steel managing director Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock died of a heart attack at his Park Avenue Hotel yesterday. He was 74.
A maid called for help after Chia failed to respond when she tried to wake him up at 9am.
The hotel's panel doctor confirmed that the tycoon had died of a heart attack.
The hotel's mechanical engineering department officer, S. Muniandy, 42, said Chia was asleep when he went to his private room at about 7.45am.
Final farewell: Grace (third from right) and Michael (right) attending a special Christian ceremony at the Park Avenue Hotel in Kedah on Tuesday. “I rushed to his room after receiving the maid's call for help and saw him motionless. I saw blood oozing from his nose.
“I immediately alerted the panel doctor from a nearby clinic and the doctor confirmed Tan Sri had died of a heart attack,” he said.
He said Chia, who had homes here and in Kuala Lumpur, had stayed at the hotel for almost a month.
Chia’s foster son Noor Saidi Johan Noor, 48, a chemical engineer from Subang Jaya, Selangor, said he had visited Chia thrice this week.
“I last spoke to him at 4.30am yesterday and he asked me to visit him.
“I was on my way to see him when I received a call saying he had passed away.
“He had told me several times that he wanted a simple funeral and to be laid to rest at a small Christian cemetery in Jalan Kolam Air,” he said.
Chia leaves behind wife Grace, 60, son Michael, 48, and a daughter. Grace and Michael were too distraught to talk to reporters at the funeral.
In June last year, the tycoon was acquitted in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court of committing criminal breach of trust 14 years ago.
The wheelchair-bound Chia told the press then that vindication had come too late as he had lost his family and was estranged from his son and daughter because of the shame of the court case.
Chia’s remains will be laid to rest at the Sungai Layar Christian cemetery at 11am tomorrow.
Eric Chia's funeral to be held today
2008/06/26
© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.
Eric Chia dies at 75
2008/06/25
© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.
SUNGAI PETANI, June 24 — Former Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock died today at his private room at the Park Avenue Hotel here.
A police spokesman said Chia, 75, who owns the hotel, died at 9am.
Reporters who went the hotel were restricted to the lobby. Security was tight with a heavy presence of police and hotel security personnel.
The spokesman said family members were in the process of making funeral arrangements.
Chia, who had faced corruption charges relating to Perwaja Steel contracts, on June 26 last year was acquitted and discharged of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM76.4 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court without his defence being called.
Throughout the trial, which began on Feb 10, 2004, Chia had health problems and had to be brought to court in a wheelchair.
Chia told reporters after his acquittal that he had practically lost everything because of the charge. His family was ashamed to be associated with him and his son and daughter became distant. Hence his eventual court vindication was a hollow victory.
Chia also said at his peak he had many friends, most of whom had deserted him because of the case.
http://hard-t.blogspot.com/2008/06/eric-chia-dies.html
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Eric Chia dies
Reporters who went the hotel were restricted to the lobby. Security was tight with a heavy presence of police and hotel security personnel.
The spokesman said family members were in the process of making funeral arrangements.
Chia, who had faced corruption charges relating to Perwaja Steel contracts, on June 26 last year was acquitted and discharged of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM76.4 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court without his defence being called.
Throughout the trial, which began on Feb 10, 2004, Chia had health problems and had to be brought to court in a wheelchair.
For four years he has been painted as a villain following a disclosure in Parliament by former Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1996 that Perwaja Steel was insolvent and had losses totalling RM2.9 billion.
Anwar attributed the dismal performance to poor management and irregularities in the payment and award of contracts. Shortly after, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) started investigating the affair and has periodically acknowledged that the probe is continuing.
Eric Chia has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but in the court of public perception, he has been found guilty and convicted.
| June 24, 2008 20:01 PM |
Eric Chia Dies
SUNGAI PETANI, June 24 (Bernama) -- Former Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock died Tuesday at his private room at the Park Avenue Hotel here.
A police spokesman said Chia, 75, who owns the hotel, died at 9am.
Reporters who went the hotel were restricted to the lobby. Security was tight with a heavy presence of police and hotel security personnel.
The spokesman said family members were in the process of making funeral arrangements.
Chia, who had faced corruption charges relating to Perwaja Steel contracts, on June 26 last year was acquitted and discharged of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM76.4 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court without his defence being called.
Throughout the trial, which began on Feb 10, 2004, Chia had health problems and had to be brought to court in a wheelchair.
-- BERNAMA
http://manifestogwl.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-wishes-for-tan-sri-eric-chia-and.html
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
My Wishes for Tan Sri Eric Chia and Family
(Note : Latest news reports - Tan Sri Eric Chia had a heart attack at his hotel, Park Avenue, in Sg Petani)
My wishes and thoughts are with the late Tan Sri Eric Chia and family. I remember Tan Sri Eric Chia responding angrily to reporters when asked "How do you feel about this?" with reference to his court case over the Perwaja Steel multi million scandal.
He said something like," Look at me now. Do you think I look happy !!?"
It was something like that. The court case ended with an acquittal in favour of Tan Sri Eric Chia. The Perwaja Steel issue is discussed and analysed in Professor KS Jomo's book - M Way : Mahathir's Economic Legacy - which I read with interest two years ago.
I had the greatest sympathy for this man when I heard him saying after the case that he lost his family because of the court case and they cant bear the shame. I do not have insights or connections to his family. As such, I do not have news about him and his family.
However, I hope his family, over time, have returned to him. Nevertheless, if they have not, I hope Tan Sri Eric Chia is given a proper and deserving funeral - befitting a Tan Sri, a businessman and once a prominent figure of Malaysia.
Again, condolences wishes to the late Tan Sri Eric Chia's family.
Note : I have arrived safely but unhappily at 3am Malaysia time on 22nd June at KLIA. I have blogged about it in my personal blog. But I shall raise it officially later when I have the time for my readers here in APOMM with reference to flight MH 122 Sydney - KL that was scheduled to fly on 21st June at 2.20 pm Australian time but was delayed to 9pm.
I have received my copy of The King Never Smiles (from mom - she went to Kinokuniya KLCC to get it for me - thanks Mom !) and I am reading it whenever I am free. I had some worrying family matters to handle upon arrival in Malaysia but things are getting better again. Will try to blog more about some matters I came across, read about, and thought about at a later date.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Wei Liang
http://penggerak.blogspot.com/2008/06/eric-chia-dies.html
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Eric Chia dies
Bernama
Former Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock died today at his private room at the Park Avenue Hotel here. A police spokesman said Chia, 75, who owned the hotel, died at 9am.
The spokesman said family members were in the process of making funeral arrangements.
Chia, who had faced corruption charges relating to Perwaja Steel contracts, on June 26 last year was acquitted and discharged of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM76.4 million by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court without his defence being called.
Throughout the trial, which began on Feb 10, 2004, Chia had health problems and had to be brought to court in a wheelchair.
http://www.tributes.com/national/feature/international/eric-chia/28255
Former Malaysian steel tycoon Eric Chia dies at 75
By the Associated Press
June 24, 2008
AP Photo/Vincent Thian
Former steel tycoon Eric Chia smiles as he arrives at a courtroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Chia was acquitted of corruption Tuesday when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Eric Chia, a former steel tycoon with high political connections who was acquitted last year in Malaysia's biggest financial scandal, died Tuesday, news reports said. He was 75.
Chia died after developing breathing difficulties, The Star newspaper said on its Web site.
The Star said he died at a hospital but national news agency Bernam said he died at his private room in a hotel that he owned. The contradictory reports could not be immediately reconciled, and Chia's family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chia, who had close ties to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government in the 1990s, is one of the few high-profile figures to have been charged in court for graft since current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in October 2003 and pledged to fix Malaysia's reputation for corruption and cronyism.
Chia was the managing director of Malaysia's top government-controlled steel company, Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd., when it teetered near collapse more than a decade ago under debts and losses exceeding 10 billion ringgit ($3 billion). He was charged with criminal breach of trust in February 2004 for allegedly misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit ($22 million) from Perwaja.
But he was acquitted on June 26, 2007, when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him. Chia, who had attended the trial in a wheelchair, had dismissed the acquittal as a hollow victory, saying his reputation had already been tarnished.FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Eric Chia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Eric Chia, a former steel tycoon with high political connections who was acquitted last year in Malaysia's biggest financial scandal, died Tuesday, news reports said. He was 75.
Chia died after developing breathing difficulties, The Star newspaper said on its Web site.
The Star said he died at a hospital but national news agency Bernam said he died at his private room in a hotel that he owned.
The contradictory reports could not be immediately reconciled, and Chia's family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chia, who had close ties to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government in the 1990s, is one of the few high-profile figures to have been charged in court for graft since current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in October 2003 and pledged to fix Malaysia's reputation for corruption and cronyism.
Chia was the managing director of Malaysia's top government-controlled steel company, Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd., when it teetered near collapse more than a decade ago under debts and losses exceeding 10 billion ringgit (US$3 billion). He was charged with criminal breach of trust in February 2004 for allegedly misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit (US$22 million) from Perwaja.
But he was acquitted on June 26, 2007, when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him. Chia, who had attended the trial in a wheelchair, had dismissed the acquittal as a hollow victory, saying his reputation had already been tarnished.
"Yes, I can move on my life, but what about my broken family?" Chia told reporters, saying his daughter has moved to Hong Kong, while his son went to the United States "because of shame."
Chia had faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
The judge said prosecutors failed to support their claim that Chia approved an illegal payment of 76.4 million ringgit (US$22 million) by Perwaja in February 1994 into a Hong Kong account for "technical assistance" provided by NKK Corp. of Japan. Prosecutors had said NKK did not require any payment.
He was the only person arrested in connection with a government-led investigation into fraud and malpractice at Perwaja that began in 1996.
Perwaja was a national project launched in 1982 as a centerpiece of Mahathir's industrialization drive. Mahathir's government plowed billions of ringgit into Perwaja to keep it afloat until privately held Maju Holding eventually took over the company in 1997.
Chia noted after the trial that he had lost many friends because of the corruption allegation, The Star said.
"Once when I put my hands on the table, there were 200 other hands of my friends on that same table. But now there are not enough hands," he said. "They have run away. Some of them think I am a crook."
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_bdc6d30d-cb73c03a-c8c7d600-10a4f003
ReplyDelete25-06-2008: Eric Chia of Perwaja saga dies
by Jose Barrock
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock, whose role in the troubled Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd came under public scrutiny in the 1990s, passed away yesterday morning in Sungai Petani, after suffering breathing difficulties.
Singapore-born Chia was 75, and leaves behind a son and daughter. Chia rose in the business world to become managing director of UMW Holdings, which his father, Chia Yee Soh founded in Singapore as United Motor Works Pte Ltd.
However, Chia became the talk of the town when he faced charges over the massive losses of national steel company Perwaja Steel when he was at its helm.
In 1988, he had been hand picked to head Perwaja Steel by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to turn the ailing company around. When Chia left the steel maker in 1995, the company was bleeding to the tune of RM3 billion, with mounting liabilities of almost RM7 billion.
A year later, in 1996, former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed in parliament alleged irregularities at Perwaja Steel.
In 2004, Chia who was by then wheelchair-bound, was charged with criminal breach of trust, involving a RM76.4 million payment.
Among the charges were that Chia had disposed of Perwaja Steel’s funds through a fraudulent agreement with Japan-based NKK Corporation, and that he had authorised the RM76.4 million to be paid to a third party, Frilsham Enterprise Inc, via the American Express Bank Ltd’s Hong Kong office.
The prosection held that he had done the transactions without the approval of the board of directors of Perwaja Rolling Mill and Development Sdn Bhd, a unit of Perwaja Steel.
However, Chia who denied the allegations, was cleared of wrongdoing as the prosecution could not provide sufficient evidence. His image, however, never quite recovered from the entire courtroom debacle.
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang had called the Perwaja Steel plant fiasco the “ biggest financial scandal in the history of Malaysia”.
After the dust had settled, Perwaja Steel was hived off to Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd, which took about 51% equity in the ailing steel company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMW_Toyota_Motor_(Malaysia)
ReplyDeleteUMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, is a joint-venture between UMW Holdings Berhad and Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
UMW Holdings was founded by Chia Yee Soh, who started working at 14 as an apprentice in a bicycle repair shop in Singapore. In 1917, Chia started his own automotive repair shop - United Motor Works in Singapore. Chia passed his helm of UMW to his eldest son Charlie Chia Cheng Guan. Charlie helmed the group and lead UMW from a motor workshop into a leading Malaysian conglomerate - only for the family to lose it in the 1980s because of financial difficulties. Today, UMW Holdings Bhd is controlled by the Malaysian government. However, the Chia family still has their business empire mainly in Singapore. Charlie's son Timothy Chia Chee Ming, is currently the Chairman and Group CEO of Hup Soon Globalin Singapore.
UMW is one of the largest locally-owned companies in Malaysia, with a diverse portfolio of business units ranging from motor vehicles to manufacturing, engineering, agriculture and insurance.
Because of its size, as well as its reputation for reliability and honesty, UMW was selected by Toyota Motor Corporation as its partner in Malaysia.
Today, UMW Toyota Motor is primarily engaged in the assembly, marketing and distribution of Toyota vehicles and marketing and distribution of Lexus vehicles.
UMW Toyota Motor model line-up are Toyota Vios, Toyota Altis, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Avanza and Toyota Innova. Based on an independent survey carried out by Ratera & van Galen Sdn. Bhd., Toyota has been top of list for Malaysian buyers. "[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Chia
ReplyDeleteTan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock (Chinese: 谢英福) is considered Malaysia's former steel and a close associate of ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad. He recently was acquitted on charges of embezzlement and passed away at the aged 74 on 24 June, 2008.
[edit] Involvement with Perwaja
Tan Sri Eric Chia, who was managing director of the government-owned steel company Perwaja. He made headlines in 1994 when he was charged with criminal breach of trust for misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit (23.4 million dollars) and Perwaja almost collapsed under debts exceeding three billion dollars. The charge was of dishonestly disposing of Perwaja’s funds by entering into an agreement with NKK Corporation, Japan, and authorising the RM76.4mil to be paid into the account of Frilsham Enterprise Inc with the American Express Bank Ltd, Hong Kong. [1]
The wheelchair-bound Chia, upon his acquittal last year, said his vindication had come too late. Chia said he had lost his family and was estranged from his son and daughter because of the shame.
[edit] Death
He died of a heart attack at his Park Avenue Hotel room in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He was 74.[2]
[edit] References
1. ^ Perwaja's Eric Chia dies, TheStar June 24, 2008
2. ^ Eric Chia dies of heart attack: report, "The Star June 25, 2008
THE STAR
ReplyDeleteSaturday March 29, 2008
Legacy of customer satisfaction
IT was during Chia Yee Soh's apprenticeship days that he got his first glimpse of a motorcycle. A customer had brought one into the bicycle shop to get the tyres repaired, but Chia was more interested in the engine of the motorcycle.
Chia's encounter with the motorcycle, particularly with the internal combustion, motivated him to set up his own automotive repair shop, United Motor Works, in Singapore in 1917. His business grew slowly but steadily, being “rooted deep in the solid ground of customer satisfaction”.
From motorcycles, he went on to motorcars, having had the foresight to realise that the growing popularity of the motorcar would lead to increasing demand for spare parts.
Chia succeeded in obtaining key international automotive distributorships, which helped the business grow to a point where it had to be consolidated as United Motor Works Pte Ltd in 1927.
Extending into parts of the peninsula, Chia was soon known as the “Spare Parts King of Singapore and Malaya”.
His foray to Malaya led to the setting up of United Motor Works (Malaya) Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur, which was managed by his son, Eric Chia. On Aug 8, 1970, UMW became a public listed company.
In the mid-80s recession, UMW underwent a capital reconstruction exercise that resulted in the entry of Permodalan Nasional Bhd as a major shareholder.
The UMW group now ranks among the top companies on Bursa Malaysia.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/24/ap5148518.html
ReplyDeleteAssociated Press
Former steel tycoon of Malaysia dies
By VIJAY JOSHI 06.24.08, 2:07 PM ET
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -
Eric Chia, a former steel tycoon with high political connections who was acquitted last year in Malaysia's biggest financial scandal, died Tuesday, news reports said. He was 75.
Chia died after developing breathing difficulties, The Star newspaper said on its Web site.
The Star said he died at a hospital but national news agency Bernam said he died at his private room in a hotel that he owned.
The contradictory reports could not be immediately reconciled, and Chia's family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chia, who had close ties to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government in the 1990s, is one of the few high-profile figures to have been charged in court for graft since current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in October 2003 and pledged to fix Malaysia's reputation for corruption and cronyism.
Chia was the managing director of Malaysia's top government-controlled steel company, Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd., when it teetered near collapse more than a decade ago under debts and losses exceeding 10 billion ringgit ($3 billion). He was charged with criminal breach of trust in February 2004 for allegedly misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit ($22 million) from Perwaja.
But he was acquitted on June 26, 2007, when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him. Chia, who had attended the trial in a wheelchair, had dismissed the acquittal as a hollow victory, saying his reputation had already been tarnished.
"Yes, I can move on my life, but what about my broken family?" Chia told reporters, saying his daughter has moved to Hong Kong, while his son went to the United States "because of shame."
Chia had faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
The judge said prosecutors failed to support their claim that Chia approved an illegal payment of 76.4 million ringgit ($22 million) by Perwaja in February 1994 into a Hong Kong account for "technical assistance" provided by NKK Corp. of Japan. Prosecutors had said NKK did not require any payment.
He was the only person arrested in connection with a government-led investigation into fraud and malpractice at Perwaja that began in 1996.
Perwaja was a national project launched in 1982 as a centerpiece of Mahathir's industrialization drive. Mahathir's government plowed billions of ringgit into Perwaja to keep it afloat until privately held Maju Holding eventually took over the company in 1997.
Chia noted after the trial that he had lost many friends because of the corruption allegation, The Star said.
"Once when I put my hands on the table, there were 200 other hands of my friends on that same table. But now there are not enough hands," he said. "They have run away. Some of them think I am a crook."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
http://umw.com.my/history.htm
ReplyDeleteA good business is rooted deep in the solid ground of customer satisfaction. -- Chia Yee Soh, founder of UMW
The concept of United Motor Works germinated in 1902, when our founder, Chia Yee Soh, a lad of 14 years then – became an apprentice in a small bicycle shop in Singapore, earning $2.00 a month. Along came a customer one day, to have the tyres fixed for a curious new contraption - a motorcycle. Intensely interested in all things mechanical, Chia not only fixed the tyres but also dismantled the motorcycle – with some ensuing difficulty when trying to assemble it again!
This little incident led to Chia’s complete absorption in the mysteries of the internal combustion engine. He then decided to set up his own automotive repair shop in 1917. He named it United Motor Works.
The business grew slowly but surely, secured by the bedrock of customer satisfaction.
Almost a hundred years on and still firmly anchored by this simple philosophy, UMW has evolved into one of the largest home-grown companies in Malaysia. Today, UMW is a leading industrial enterprise with diverse and global interests in the automotive, equipment, manufacturing and engineering, and oil and gas industries.
At each stage of its growth and development through prosperity and recessions, the UMW Group has withstood the test of time. Strategic alliances with global players have positioned the UMW Group as a leader in its core businesses.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/13123?tid=14
ReplyDeleteReports: Former Steel Tycoon, Acquitted In High-profile Corruption Case, Dies At 75
* News
* Headline
2008-06-25 09:58
*
KUALA LUMPUR: Eric Chia, a former steel tycoon with high political connections who was acquitted last year in Malaysia's biggest financial scandal, died Tuesday (24 June), news reports said. He was 75.
Chia died after developing breathing difficulties, The Star newspaper said on its Web site.
The Star said he died at a hospital but national news agency Bernama said he died at his private room in a hotel that he owned.
The contradictory reports could not be immediately reconciled, and Chia's family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chia, who had close ties to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government in the 1990s, is one of the few high-profile figures to have been charged in court for graft since current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in October 2003 and pledged to fix Malaysia's reputation for corruption and cronyism.
Chia was the managing director of Malaysia's top government-controlled steel company, Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd., when it teetered near collapse more than a decade ago under debts and losses exceeding 10 billion ringgit (US$3 billion). He was charged with criminal breach of trust in February 2004 for allegedly misappropriating 76.4 million ringgit (US$22 million) from Perwaja.
But he was acquitted on 26 June 2007, when the trial judge ruled that government prosecutors failed to mount sufficient evidence against him. Chia, who had attended the trial in a wheelchair, had dismissed the acquittal as a hollow victory, saying his reputation had already been tarnished.
"Yes, I can move on my life, but what about my broken family?" Chia told reporters, saying his daughter has moved to Hong Kong, while his son went to the United States "because of shame."
Chia had faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
The judge said prosecutors failed to support their claim that Chia approved an illegal payment of 76.4 million ringgit (US$22 million) by Perwaja in February 1994 into a Hong Kong account for "technical assistance" provided by NKK Corp. of Japan. Prosecutors had said NKK did not require any payment.
He was the only person arrested in connection with a government-led investigation into fraud and malpractice at Perwaja that began in 1996.
Perwaja was a national project launched in 1982 as a centerpiece of Mahathir's industrialization drive. Mahathir's government plowed billions of ringgit into Perwaja to keep it afloat until privately held Maju Holding eventually took over the company in 1997.
Chia noted after the trial that he had lost many friends because of the corruption allegation, The Star said.
"Once when I put my hands on the table, there were 200 other hands of my friends on that same table. But now there are not enough hands," he said. "They have run away. Some of them think I am a crook." (By VIJAY JOSHI/ AP)
MySinchew 2008.06.25
http://www.hupsoon.com/boardmembers.html
ReplyDeleteTimothy Chia Chee Ming
Deputy Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
Mr Timothy C. M. Chia was the President of PAMA Group Inc. (previously known as Prudential Asset Management Asia Limited, the Asian investment and asset management arm of The Prudential Insurance Company of America). He retired from PAMA Group of Companies on 31 December 2004. Prior to joining PAMA, as one of the original principals in 1986, Mr Chia was Vice President - Investment of American International Assurance Company Limited (AIA), a major subsidiary of the American International Group, Inc., New York (AIG). Upon graduation, Mr Chia started his career with American Express International Banking Corporation in Singapore. He joined AIA in 1974 and was appointed Assistant Vice President - Investment in 1978 when he was transferred from Singapore Branch Office to Head Office in Hong Kong. From 1980 to 1981, Mr Chia lived and worked in Bangkok, Thailand serving as Executive Manager of United Motor Works (Siam) Ltd and President of Unithai Oxide Company Limited. Mr Chia returned to AIA Hong Kong in 1981 as Assistant Vice President - Investment and 1982 was named Vice President - Investment. Mr Chia is currently a Director of Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd, FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltd, Fraser and Neave Ltd, Frasers Centrepoint Ltd, Macquarie Pacific Star Prime REIT Management Ltd, SP PowerGrid Ltd and Singapore Post Ltd. He was a board member of Singapore Power Ltd joining the board in September 1998 until his retirement in July 2004. He served as Chairman of one of Singapore Power’s major subsidiaries, Power Gas Ltd from 1998 to 2002. Mr Chia remains as a co-opted member on the Audit Committee of Singapore Power Limited and is currently a board memebr of SP Power Grid Limited and chairs its Audit Committee. Amongst his past appointments, Mr Chia was director of KorAm Bank Co., Ltd and served on its Management Development and Compensation Committee. He stepped down from the board after the Bank was acquired by Citigroup in May 2004. He was also on the board of directors of Meritz Securities Co., Ltd (Korea) and Magnecomp Precision Technology Public Co., Ltd (Thailand). He is currently a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors and a member of the World Presidents’ Organization. Since January 2004, Mr Chia was named a Trustee of the Singapore Management University and is currently a member of its Audit Committee and Investment Committee. In 1996, Mr Chia was elected a Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre until he stepped down in March 2004 and in September 2004, was conferred the Arts Supporter Award by the National Arts Council. Mr Chia graduated with a cum laude in Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in the United States.
http://www.hupsoon.com/boardmembers.html
ReplyDeleteJennifer Chia Jee Phun
Non-executive Director
Ms Chia is a lawyer by training and graduated from the then University of Singapore in 1971 with L.LB (Hons). She was admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1971 and in 1974 obtained her L.LM from the University of London.
http://optimumperformancetechnologies.blogspot.com/2008/06/its-my-cup-of-tea-at-ya-kun-coffeeshop.html
ReplyDeleteThe UMW Group in Singapore was founded by the late China-born Chia Yee Soh, who started his early life in 1902 as an young apprentice in a bicycle repair shop, & who then moved on to start his own automobile repair shop, under the name of 'Hup Soon', a precursor in Chinese to 'UMW' in English, in 1917.
Charlie Chia, Denis Chia & Datuk Eric Chia are his children. I had mentioned them in my earlier posts, & they were collectively my bosses during my tenure with the UMW Group.]
http://www.currypotproductions.com/AsianAutomotive.htm
ReplyDeleteCapital Motor Assembly Sdn. Bhd. (Capital Motors) – a case of a Singapore company setting up a plant in Malaysia Capital Motors, the last and smallest of the initial six assembly plants, was established in 1967 by the following officeholders:- Tun Haji Suliaman bin N. Shah – then Chairman UMNO Leslie Eu – Managing Director Stanley Leong – Singapore based Architect Liew Kai Choon – KL businessman Lim Phee Hung – Opel Penang Dealer Principal (Heng Guan) The Opel Ipoh Dealer Principal Singapore Motors were behind the formation of Capital Motors and had the Pontiac, Opel and Suzuki motorcycle agencies. The company’s original owner was Chia Yee Soh, founder of United Motor Works, then Singapore’s largest spare parts dealer. Chai passed the company on to his son-in-law, Robert Eu, who in turn passed it on to his son, Leslie Eu. Leslie Eu was the principal owner of both Singapore Motors and Capital Motors during the 1960s. Stanley Leong, one of the other office holders of Capital Motors, had no financial involvement in Singapore Motors and was the architect for the Capital Motors plant in Johore with Chew Cheuk Loon acting as contractor. Stanley Leong and Leslie Eu were brothers-in-law. Rodney Seow, cousin to Leslie Eu, designed and installed the plant equipment and ran the Johore operations. The crew from Singapore Motors included the following by Rodney Seow’s Merlyn Mk7, L-R: Rodney Seow, Leslie Eu (Singapore Motors MD/Owner), Loh Yap Ting, and Stanley Leong. Leslie was the Capital Motors MD Stanley Leong in the Elva race car that the team raced in Asia. Note the Opel-Capital Mot
THE STAR
ReplyDeleteSaturday 28 June 2008
CONDOLENCE
With Deepest Sympathy & Heartfelt Condolences
To Family Of The Late
TAN SRI DATUK ERIC CHIA
Departed 24 June 2008
Born in Singapore, bred in the Anglo-Chinese School Singapore.
Arguably an outstanding worldclass entrepreneur
From
All Classmates of
ACS Class of '51 Singapore
u know him, u from Singapore n studied here in ACS?
ReplyDelete