Real estate and hotel tycoon Mr Kwek Leng Beng had always refused to have any book written about him and rarely granted interviews. Yet he surprised many by launching his biography, Strictly Business: The Kwek Leng Beng Story, with Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong gracing the memorable event at The St. Regis Singapore on 9 November 2023. Mr Kwek also marked the completion of the 2-year project with a meaningful donation to education.

The event took place with over 300 guests that included Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Home Affairs and Law Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, senior civil servants, corporate chieftains, representatives from the arts and cultural arenas, Hong Leong Group representatives and the Kwek family members. They enjoyed the night with cocktails, butler-passed canapés, live stations and a jazz ensemble.

Mr Kwek said, “The Hong Leong Group is very much a part of Singapore’s corporate history. As my late father Kwek Hong Png helped shape some of the country’s key industries, such as real estate, construction, and finance, I followed in his footsteps. Strictly Business reflects my philosophy and journey as a businessman. By sharing my experiences and lessons learned, I hope it will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to create their success pathways.”

Mr Peh said, “Mr Kwek is well known as one of Singapore’s most successful businessmen, planting our flag all over the world with his sharp business acumen and headline acquisitions. But few know the person behind the legend. It has been a privilege to interview Mr Kwek and nearly 30 of his business associates, colleagues, and family members and to be entrusted with the tremendous task of telling the Kwek Leng Beng story. This book offers a rare private sector addition to a Singapore Story mostly dominated by politics and government.”

The gift of education

At the event, Mr Kwek, also the Executive Chairman of listed global property giant City Developments Limited (CDL), announced an endowed gift of S$24 million, jointly made by Mr Kwek and CDL, to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). With an enhanced matching grant from the Government, the total endowment contribution amounts to S$60 million.

Earlier this year, Mr Kwek donated S$720,000 to SIT to start six new academic initiatives, including bursaries and scholarships for SIT Hospitality Business undergraduates.

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President of SIT, said, “In recognition of this transformative gift, SIT is very pleased to name its University Tower after Mr Kwek Leng Beng. We deeply appreciate Mr Kwek’s philanthropic leadership since 2016, which has also made possible a range of scholarships, bursaries and prizes for SIT students. These include two scholarships, two bursaries, a gold medal and a book prize he established earlier this year for Hospitality Business undergraduate students at SIT. Mr Kwek’s farsighted philanthropy will nurture future generations of hospitality talents and raise the bar of excellence in the hospitality industry in the years to come.”

For more details, please click here for the press release.

Hitting the ground far and wide

Strictly Business: The Kwek Leng Beng Story has finally hit the ground with much hustle and bustle in the media, social media platforms and bookstores. It is now available at all major bookstores and through World Scientific Publishing and The Nutgraf Books.

For LinkedIn posts, please see CDL LinkedIn and MHR LinkedIn.

And let’s have a sneak peak at some of the promotional videos here!