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Lim Goh Tong

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Lim Goh Tong, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025
Lim Goh Tong
Born (1918-02-28) 28 February 1918 (age 108)
Anxi, Fujian, China
Died23 October 2007(2007-10-23) (aged 89)
Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, businessman
Years active1937–2003
Known forFounder of Genting Highlands and Genting Group
Notable workMy Story – Lim Goh Tong (autobiography)

Lim Goh Tong (; 28 February 1918 – 23 October 2007) was a distinguished Malaysian Chinese entrepreneur and businessman. He is renowned for establishing Genting Highlands, transforming it from a remote hilltop into one of the globe’s most prosperous casino resorts. At one point, Forbes ranked him as Malaysia’s third wealthiest individual, with a net worth estimated at US$4.3 billion.

Early life

Lim was born in 1918 in Anxi, located in Fujian province, China, as the fifth child in a rural household. Following his father’s passing when Lim was just 16 years old, he left formal education to help support his family alongside his older brother. Due to deteriorating conditions in China, Lim emigrated to Malaya in 1937 at age 19, joining his cousin Lim Kheng Chong. He began working as a carpenter under his uncle’s guidance, acquiring proficiency in Malay and eventually becoming a building subcontractor. His inaugural construction project was a two-storey school building. After a brief return to Anxi in 1940, Lim came back to Malaya the next year amid intensifying conflict.

Career and business

During the Japanese Occupation of Malaya starting in 1942, Lim survived multiple life-threatening situations. He initially engaged in vegetable farming before shifting his focus to small-scale trading, including scrap metal and hardware. After the occupation ended, he recognized the high demand for heavy equipment in mining and rubber estates and began dealing in used machinery, which marked the beginning of his significant wealth accumulation.

Lim ventured into iron mining by forming a partnership with a company that was unable to pay for bulldozers, which led to a successful joint enterprise. This venture became one of the pioneering Chinese tin companies to employ dredging technology.

With capital and refurbished machinery amassed, Lim established Kien Huat Private Limited—his family-owned construction business. Supported by his uncles, Kien Huat secured substantial contracts and grew into a prominent construction firm known for projects such as the Ayer Itam Dam and the Kemubu Irrigation Scheme.

Developing Genting Resort

The property development arm of Genting Group originated from holding land assets for long-term value appreciation through Asiatic Land Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary under Genting Plantations Berhad—which is majority-owned (54.8%) by Genting Berhad.

The concept for a hilltop resort emerged when Lim dined in Cameron Highlands and realized there was demand for a mountain getaway closer to Kuala Lumpur. He pinpointed Gunung Ulu Kali at Genting Sempah as an ideal location and conducted thorough topographical and environmental studies to guide the project planning.

Despite widespread doubts about converting a rugged wilderness into a resort destination, Lim obtained federal and state government approvals and addressed critical infrastructure challenges such as constructing access roads, securing water supply, electricity provision, sewage systems, and fire safety measures. Notably, the access road was completed within three years rather than the projected fifteen. Water resources were developed with filtration facilities and reservoirs; electricity was supplied via a centralized system powered by twelve generators.

Throughout construction, Lim faced six near-fatal incidents while simultaneously overseeing the Kemubu Irrigation Scheme in Kelantan. He invested all personal resources—including proceeds from selling an 810-hectare rubber plantation (RM2.5 million), profits from iron mining ventures, subcontracting income, and capital from his hardware business. Despite financial difficulties and discouragement from others, he remained resolute.

Genting secured Malaysia’s only casino license after Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman commended Lim’s self-funded efforts in tourism development. Lim also negotiated pioneer status and tax incentives by persuading authorities that these advantages were essential for initial profitability and would yield long-term benefits for the government.

The resort was completed in January 1971 but suffered significant rainstorm damage that delayed its official opening on May 8 due to landslides obstructing access roads. Over the following thirty years, Lim expanded Genting Highlands into an integrated resort featuring additional hotels, theme parks, a convention center, enhanced road infrastructure—including RM920 million spent widening 10 kilometers of roadway—and a RM928 million cable car system.

In 1993, at the suggestion of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, an 81-hectare township named Gohtong Jaya was established near the Genting Skyway station as recognition of Lim’s contributions.

Currently, Genting Highlands is recognized as one of the world’s leading casino resorts and remains Malaysia’s premier tourist attraction. The Genting Group has diversified its operations into plantations, property development, paper manufacturing through Genting Sanyen, power generation, oil and gas exploration, as well as cruise lines under Star Cruises.

On 31 December 2003, Lim transferred the chairmanship of Genting Group to his son Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

Personal life

In 1944, Lim Goh Tong wed Lee Kim Hua, and together they raised six children and had nineteen grandchildren. Their offspring include Lim Siew Lay, Siew Lian, Siew Kim, Tee Keong, Kok Thay, and Chee Wah.

Despite facing significant health obstacles such as malignant tumors and heart-related conditions, he underwent several surgical procedures to overcome these challenges.

Lim documented his life story in his 2004 autobiography, My Story – Lim Goh Tong, which chronicles his rise from modest origins to establishing a premier casino resort through determination and diligence.

A decade following Lim's passing, his wife Kim Hua died on 25 August 2017 at the age of 88.

Achievement and awards

Lim Goh Tong, along with the Genting Group, earned multiple honors celebrating entrepreneurial excellence and corporate leadership, including:

  • Malaysian Entrepreneurs Award (1985)
  • Manager of the Year Award (1986)
  • Business Achiever of the Year Award (1994)
  • Ranked as the top among 10 Leading Malaysian Companies (1999)
  • The Best Employer Award (1996)

In 1978, he established Yayasan Lim, a family charitable foundation dedicated to supporting education, healthcare services, elder care, organizations for people with disabilities, and other philanthropic initiatives.

Honours

Death

Lim Goh Tong passed away on 23 October 2007 at Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Subang Jaya. He left behind his wife Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, six children, and nineteen grandchildren. His burial took place at Gohtong Memorial Park in Gohtong Jaya on 29 October 2007.

At their concert held on 26 October at Genting's Arena of Stars, The Black Eyed Peas paid homage to Lim. Will.i.am remarked, "A man recently passed who was responsible for this place we are performing at today. Let us observe a moment of silence to honor his life and contributions."

More than 20,000 individuals—including members of royalty, influential business figures, politicians, and members of the public—gathered to pay their respects through attendance, floral tributes, and condolence messages.

Prominent attendees who honored Lim included:

Over 1,000 wreaths from international companies such as Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, Stanley Ho, and the Fujian provincial government were displayed along the entrance to Gohtong Villa. Asia's second-wealthiest individual, Li Ka Shing, sent a personal message expressing condolences that highlighted Lim's lasting impact.

Words of farewell

"Genting represents the remarkable journey of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, a success story that stands out even in Malaysia, a nation known for numerous notable achievements." - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the 25th Anniversary of Genting, August 11, 1990

"Tan Sri Lim's creativity, unwavering focus, and fearless determination in overcoming obstacles have propelled him from modest origins to extraordinary accomplishments." - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the introduction to Lim's autobiography My Story (2004)

"Starting from humble activities like harvesting lettuce and tapping maple syrup, we have evolved into the world's most lucrative resorts. Prior to Lim's leadership, poverty was our reality. His belief and confidence transformed us into what we are today." – Michael Thomas, chairman of the Native American Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

"He was a man of integrity who recognized the significance of giving back to society after benefiting from it." – Dr Tan Tat Chin, member of the Tung Shin Hospital board

"He serves as an inspiration, and we honor his achievements. His legacy will endure in the memories of all he influenced." – Tan Sri Dr Ng Lay Swee, president and CEO of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

See also

External links

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