Robert Kuok
Bachelor of Arts in Science, Raffles College, Singapore
Born in 1923 in Johor Bahru to wealthy Fuzhou immigrants, Robert Kuok was the youngest of three sons. He rose from office boy to lead Mitsubishi’s rice trade in wartime Singapore, then applied those skills to the family business. In 1949, after his father’s death, he co-founded Kuok Brothers with his sibling and cousins
A Raffles alum and Lee Kuan Yew’s classmate, he built a regional empire in hotels, palm oil, shipping and real estate. Known as the “Sugar King,” he remains Malaysia’s richest man in 2025, worth US$12.6 billion. (as at Jul 31, 2025)
Deceased (2003) Former Malaysian ambassador to Germany, Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark
Ruth Kuok
Kuok Khoon Ean
Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, Melbourne
- Kerry Holdings, chairman
- Paruni, managing director
- Kuok Brothers, chairman
- Shangri-La International Hotel Management, chairman
- Kerry Group, director
Kuok Hui Kwong
Sue Kuok
(or Suraya Abdullah)
Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies, Harvard University, US -Shangri-La Asia, CEO
-Shangri-La Group, chairperson
-Former CEO of South China Morning Post
Married to Bryan Pallop Gaw, a director at Kerry Group and the Kuok Group-related companies Medallion Corporate and Vencedor Investments.
Bachelor of Social Science, University of Bristol, UK - Allgreen Properties, non-executive director
- Kuok Foundation Malaysia, member of the board of trustees
Wife of Malaysia’s prominent banker Rashid Hussain, who founded RHB Group
CDL group chief operating officer
Kwek Eik Sheng
Kwek Eik Feng, Brian
Bachelor of Engineering in Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, US - K2 Strategic (subsidiary of Kuok Group), founder and managing director
- Allgreen Properties, director
Sherman Kwek
Kingston Kwek
Kuok Meng Wei
Bachelor of Science, Cornell University, US K3 Ventures, founder and CEO
Kuok Meng Xiong
CDL group chief executive officer
Gan Hui Ying
Gan Zhen You
Kwek Lay Lian
Kay Kuok
Kwek Leng Hai
Kwek Guat Kim
Managing director, Hong Leong Holdings
Quek Leng Chye
Barrister-at-Law from Gray's Inn, London - Kuok (Singapore), director
- Allgreen Properties, executive chairman
- Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia), managing director
- Shangri-La Hotel (Singapore), board member
- Shangri-La Hotel Public Company Limited (Thailand), board member
Quek Kon Ghee Quek Kon Hui Kwek Kon Yew Kwek Kon Eng Quek Kon Sean
Kwek Kon Yao Kwek Kon Chao Kwek Kon Jin Kwek Kon Yuin Kwek Kon Hao
Whang Yixiang Whang Yixun Quek Sue-Yian Quek Sue-Shan Quek Sue-Wen
Kwek Sue-Ping Kwek Su-Arn Ng In-Ping Ng In-Hsien Whang Yixuan
Grandchildren of Kwek Hong Lye
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Click on the profiles to reveal family tree
SOURCE: COMPILED BY BT BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS GRAPHIC IS NON-EXHAUSTIVE. MANY MEMBERS OF THE KUOK FAMILY ALSO HOLD DIRECTOR POSITIONS AND OWN SHARES IN MAJOR COMPANIES UNDER KUOK GROUP.
GRAPHIC: ZUOWEI LI, BT
First generation
Second generation
Third
generation
Jill Kuok
Bachelor of Economics, Harvard University, US
- Kuok (Singapore), director
- Kerry Holdings, chairman
- Kerry Properties,
chairman and CEO
- Kerry Logistics Network, vice-chairman and non-executive director
- Kerry Group, director
- Wilmar International, non-executive director
Kuok Khoon Hua
CDL group chief operating officer
Kwek Eik Sheng
Kwek Eik Feng, Brian
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs, Stanford University, US Founded Guiltless, a luxury resale platform, in 2016. Guiltless was merged with Middle East’s luxury e-commerce giant, The Luxury Closet, in 2019, for regional expansion.
Yen Kuok
CDL group chief operating officer
Kwek Eik Sheng
Kwek Eik Feng, Brian
Kuok Khoon Chen
Bachelor of Economics, Nottingham University, UK - Kuok (Singapore), chairman - Kerry Group, vice-chairman - Kuok Brothers, vice-chairman - Kerry Holdings, director - Wilmar International Limited, non-executive director - Allgreen Properties, chairman
Philip Kuok
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Stanford University, US A DJ and artist, married to ex-TVB star Bonnie Chan
Kuok Meng Jun
First wife
Joyce Cheah
Second wife
Pauline Ho
Businesses
Family tree
Kuok Group
Real estate group in Asia
Incorporated in 1986
Listed on the Singapore Exchange in May 1999 — majority owned by Kuok Group
Delisted in August 2011 after its compulsory acquisition by Brookvale Investments (which is part of the Kuok Group of companies)
Singapore
Great World
Pasir Ris Mall
Tanglin Mall
Tanglin Place
The Seletar Mall
Johor Bahru City Square
Malaysia
Various joint ventures with Kerry Properties (Hong Kong) in mixed-use developments across Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Qinhuangdao, Shenyang and Tangshan
Mainland China
Exposure in a fund investing in industrial assets in urban locations
Australia
PPB Group
Kerry Wines
Kerry Properties
K2 Strategic
Allgreen Properties
McPEC Marine & Offshore Engineering
Shangri-La Asia
KLN Logistics Group
PaxOcean
PACC Offshore Services
Pacific Carriers
Shang Properties
Wilmar International
International developer, owner and operator of hyper-scale digital infrastructure assets
Ballycoolin Business Park, Dublin
Citywest Business Campus, Dublin
Ireland
Sedenak Tech Park, Johor
Malaysia
Bekasi Regency, Greater Jakarta
Karawang Regency, Greater Jakarta
Indonesia (joint venture with Sinarmas Land)
Property development company with significant investments in key cities in Mainland China and Hong Kong
Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 1996
48 residential, commercial and mixed-used properties in major cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin
Mainland China
64 residential, office and retail properties
Hong Kong
Pasir Ris Mall
Singapore
One Shangri-La Place, Mandaluyong City
Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City
Shang Residences at Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City
The St Francis Shangri-La Place, Mandaluyong City
Shangri-La the Fort, Taguig City
Shang Salcedo Place, Makati City
The Enterprise Center, Makati City
The Rise, Makati City
The Philippines
Sri Lanka Development Project, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Fine-wine distributor serving both trade and private customers; provides wine consultancy services
Established in 2010 to improve the accessibility of quality wines across Greater China
Asia-based, third-party logistics provider
Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Global presence across 59 countries and territories across South-east Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Commonwealth of Independent States
Beijing Kerry Logistics
Business By Air
Globalink Transportation and Logistics Worldwide
Kerry Logistics Indonesia
Transpeed Cargo (Singapore)
Notable principal subsidiaries:
Full-fledged engineering, procurement and construction turnkey solutions provider for onshore and offshore projects
Incorporated in 2006
Acquired by Kuok Maritime Group in 2023
Tuas, Singapore
Batam, Indonesia
Shipyard locations:
Specialist offshore marine solutions provider
Incorporated in 2006
Owns, manages, and operates a fleet of more than 40 vessels
Service provider in the construction, conversion and repair of marine and offshore assets
Acquired its first shipyard in Guangdong in 2007
PaxOcean Tuas
Singapore
PaxOcean Pertama, Batam
PaxOcean Graha, Batam
PaxOcean Nanindah, Batam
Indonesia
PaxOcean Zhoushan, Zhejiang
Mainland China
PaxOcean Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Shipyards
Maintenance, repair and operations facility
Provider of shipping services and maritime supply chain solutions
Established in 1973
Operating fleet of more than 35 ships
Investment holding and property investment company
Diversified conglomerate spanning grains and agribusiness; consumer products; property; film exhibition and distribution; waste management and IT
Listed on Bursa Malaysia
Incorporated in 1968
Notable subsidiaries
Grains and agribusiness
FFM Bhd
Johor Bahru Flour Mill
Vietnam Flour Mills
FFM Farms
Consumer products
FFM Marketing
The Italian Baker
Film exhibition and distribution
PPB Leisure
Golden Screen Cinemas
GSC Movies
Property
PPB Hartabina
PPB Property Development
South Island Mining
Cathay Screen Cinemas
Shaw Brothers (Malaysia)
Others
Chemquest
PPB Ventures
Primary listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Secondary listed on the Singapore Exchange
Owns, operates and manages over 100 hotels under four brands: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Kerry Hotels, JEN, and Traders
Has a presence in markets including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Sri Lanka and Turkey
Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia)
Shangri-La Hotel Public Company Limited (Thailand)
Shangri-La Bangkok
Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Listed subsidiaries include
China World Trade Center (listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange)
Listed associate
Property investment and development company
Core businesses include office and retail leasing and residential development
Listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1991
Property development and management
Shang Properties Realty
Shang Property Developers
The Rise Development Corporation
Shang Wack Wack Properties
Shang Property Management Services
Hotel operation
Shang Global City Properties
Leasing
SPI Parking Services
KSA Realty
Real estate
Ivory Post Properties
KPPI Realty
New Contour Realty
Sky Leisure Properties
Other supplementary business
Silver Hero Investments
EPHI Logistics Holding
Subsidiaries include
Agribusiness group
Listed on the Singapore Exchange
Founded in 1991
Business activities include oil palm cultivation, oilseed crushing, edible oils refining, flour and rice milling, sugar milling and refining, manufacturing of consumer products, ready-to-eat meals, central kitchen products, speciality fats, oleochemicals, biodiesel and fertilisers as well as food park operations
Has over 1,000 manufacturing plants
Presence across more than 50 countries and regions including China, India and Indonesia
Calofic Corporation (Vietnam)
PGEO Group (Malaysia)
Sentratama Niaga Indonesia
Shree Renuka Sugars (India)
Wilmar Sugar Australia
Wilmar Trading (Singapore)
Yihai Kerry Arawana (China)
Wilmar Europe (Netherlands)
Notable subsidiaries include
International developer, owner and operator of hyper-scale digital infrastructure assets
Ballycoolin Business Park, Dublin
Citywest Business Park, Dublin
Ireland
Sedenak Tech Park, Johor
Malaysia
Bekasi Regency, Greater Jakarta
Karawang Regency, Greater Jakarta
Indonesia
K2 Strategic
K2 Strategic
K2 Strategic
Kerry Wines
KLN Logistics Group
McPEC Marine & Offshore Engineering
PACC Offshore Services (POSH)
Pacific Carriers
PaxOcean
PPB Group
Shangri-La Asia
Shang Properties
Kuok Khoon Hong
Kuok Meng Ru
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, University of Cambridge, UK He bought over local music retailer Swee Lee in 2012. He is also the founder and CEO of Caldecott Music Group and co-founder of music-making platform BandLab
Kerry Wines
Pacific Carriers
PACC Offshore Services
McPEC Marine & Offshore Engineering
KLN Logistics Group
Wilmar International
Shang Properties
Shangri-La Asia
PPB Group
PaxOcean
Kerry Properties
K2 Strategic
Allgreen Properties
Son of Kuok Hock Swee (Robert Kuok’s cousin)
eldest brother
second brother
Kwek Hong Png
Founded what became the
Hong Leong Group in 1941
Kwek Leng Joo
Former deputy
chairman of CDL
Sherman
Kwek
CDL group chief
executive officer
- Chairman of Kuok (Singapore) - Vice-Chairman of Kerry Group - Vice-chairman of Kuok Brothers - Director of Kerry Holdings - Non-Executive Director of Wilmar International Limited - Chairman of Allgreen Properties
Kuok Meng Wei
Bachelor of Engineering in Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, US
- K2 Strategic (subsidiary of Kuok Group), founder and managing director
- Allgreen Properties, director
Sherman Kwek
CDL group chief
executive officer
Bachelor of Engineering in Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, US
- K2 Strategic (subsidiary of Kuok Group), founder and managing director
- Allgreen Properties, director
Bachelor of Science, Cornell University, US
K3 Ventures, founder and CEO
Kuok Meng Xiong
Kwek Leng Beng
Executive chairman
of CDL
Sibling
First generation
Kuok Khoon Chen
Joyce Cheah (first wife)
Quek Bee Heong
Ruth Kuok
Jill Kuok
- Chairman of Kuok (Singapore) - Vice-Chairman of Kerry Group - Vice-chairman of Kuok Brothers - Director of Kerry Holdings - Non-Executive Director of Wilmar International Limited - Chairman of Allgreen Properties
Sue Kuok
Bachelor of Social Science, University of Bristol, UK
- Allgreen Properties (Kuok Group subsidiary), non-executive director
- Kuok Foundation Malaysia, member of the board of trustees
Kwek Hong Leong
Sibling
Philip Kuok
Former Malaysian ambassador to Germany, Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark
First generation
- Kerry Holdings, chairman
- Paruni, managing director
- Kuo Brothers, chairman
- Shangri-La International Hotel Management, chairman
- Kerry Group, director
Children
Children
Children
Kuok Hui Kwong
Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies, Harvard University, US
- Shangri-La Group, chairperson
- Former CEO of South China Morning Post
Kuok Khoon Hua
Bachelor of Economics, Harvard University, US
- Kuok (Singapore), director
- Kerry Holdings, chairman
- Kerry Properties,
chairman and CEO
- Kerry Logistics Network, vice-chairman and non-executive director
- Kerry Group, director
- Wilmar International, non-executive director
Yen Kuok
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs, Stanford University, US
Founded Guiltless, a luxury resale platform, in 2016. Guiltless was merged with Middle East’s luxury e-commerce giant, The Luxury Closet, in 2019, for regional expansion.
Yen Kuok
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs, Stanford University, US
Founded Guiltless, a luxury resale platform, in 2016. Guiltless was merged with Middle East’s luxury e-commerce giant, The Luxury Closet, in 2019, for regional expansion.
Deceased (1952)
William Kuok
Click to see businesses in Kuok Group
Bachelor of Business Administration, National University of Singapore
-Wilmar International, chairman and CEO
Son of Kuok Hock Swee, Robert Kuok’s eldest cousin, who founded a provisions trading business in Mersing that was integrated into the Kuok Group.
Often referred to as “Palm Oil King”
Click to see Allgreen Properties
Click to see K2 Strategic
Click to see Allgreen Properties
Click to see Shangri-La Asia
Click to see Kerry Properties
Click to see Wilmar International
Deceased (2003) Former Malaysian ambassador to Germany, Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark
Kuok Keng Kang
Deceased (2003) Former Malaysian ambassador to Germany, Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark
Tang Kak Ji
father
mother
Father
Where it all began
The story begins with Robert Kuok’s father, Kuok Keng Kang, who emigrated from China to British Malaya and founded a rice and sugar trading business called Tong Seng and Company. Kuok senior ran the business with two brothers and, subsequently, three of his nephews: Hock Chin, Hock Seng and Hock Ming. Another of Kuok senior’s nephews, Hock Swee, was earlier helping out too but left the family business to start his own shop in Mersing.
In 1948, Kuok senior died and Robert decided to take over the business.
In 1949, Robert, his brother Philip, and their cousins Hock Chin and Hock Seng incorporated Kuok Brothers in Johor Bahru, Malaysia — trading rice, sugar and wheat flour.
As Kuok Brothers grew over the years, Hock Swee’s business also boomed and he soon owned the largest provision store in Mersing. Robert convinced him to rejoin the family business and Hock Swee merged his business with the Kuok Group.
Hock Swee’s return paved the way for his son, Khoon Hong, to join the family business — though he earned the job not merely by lineage but on his own merit. Robert recognised his business acumen and took a liking to him.
But Khoon Hong left Kuok Singapore in 1991, and co-founded Wilmar Trading. Over the years, the company expanded and eventually began looking for shareholders. Robert seized the opportunity and a merger happened. Wilmar International, a subsidiary of Kuok Group, was birthed.
The Kuok conglomerate continued expanding into the 21st century and, as at Dec 31, 2024, owns the following principal subsidiaries spanning various industries.
Kuok Brothers
Real estate group in Asia
Incorporated in 1986
Listed on the Singapore Exchange in May 1999 — majority owned by Kuok Group
Delisted in Aug 2011 after its compulsory acquisition by Brookvale Investments (which is part of the Kuok Group of companies)
Allgreen properties
SOURCE: COMPILED BY BT BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS GRAPHIC IS NON-EXHAUSTIVE. MANY MEMBERS OF THE KUOK FAMILY ALSO HOLD DIRECTOR POSITIONS AND OWN SHARES IN MAJOR COMPANIES UNDER KUOK GROUP.
GRAPHIC: ZUOWEI LI, BT