(From left) Wallace, Goosmann, Cheah and Katsuhiko at Sunway’s Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner.
SUNWAY Group hosted more than 1,200 guests at a Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner to thank its valued C-suite partners and stakeholders.
Their long-standing support had contributed to the growth and success of Sunway – from its humble beginnings in 1974 to its status as a leading conglomerate in South-East Asia, the group said in a media statement.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah spoke of the hard work and sleepless nights during the early years of Sungei Way Corporation Sdn Bhd, and confronting the doubts of friends and investors sceptical of his vision to build Malaysia’s first green, sustainable and integrated township – Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
“I was a little-known individual from Pusing in Perak, where many of my childhood friends could not afford to further their education due to the financial constraints faced by their families, but I am deeply grateful to my country for the opportunities it has blessed me with,” said Cheah in his opening speech.
“And I am lucky enough to celebrate this momentous occasion of Sunway’s 50th anniversary with my long-serving and loyal team, as well as all of our partners and friends who made this milestone possible.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” added Cheah.
In attendance at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom of Sunway Resort Hotel in Petaling Jaya were Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko, acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia David Wallace, EU delegation to Malaysia deputy head Timo Goosmann, Weststar Aviation Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim and Ambank Group chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim.
Also present were senior officials from government agencies and foreign diplomatic service, prominent leaders from all sectors of corporate Malaysia and local media luminaries.
Cheah said the success of Sunway has allowed him to realise his lifelong dream, which is to set up a foundation dedicated to nation-building and giving back to society “in an impactful manner.”
Under a not-for-profit structure, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation owns and governs all entities under Sunway Education Group – including Sunway international schools, Sunway colleges and Sunway University – and has disbursed more than RM745mil scholarships and grants as of 2024.
“Over the years, I have been privileged and fortunate to be able to build an ecosystem comprising institutions of teaching and learning, as well as two medical schools working together in a holistic manner,” said Cheah.
“The foundation, with several billion ringgit of assets, will continue to carry out this philanthropic mission in perpetuity.
“Such an ecosystem will not only help stem the brain drain but strengthen our human capital that is required if Malaysia is to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation,” he added.
As Sunway transforms and evolves over the next 50 years and beyond, Cheah said the organisation would continue to be guided by its core values of integrity, humility and excellence.
“These core values have not only guided my professional career but served me well in my personal life as well,” said Cheah.
