Family keeps mum on tycoon’s health
KUCHING: The family of Sibuborn billionaire Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King kept mum in the wake of rumours surrounding the health condition of the timber and publishing tycoon.
During the past few days, rumours have been circulating with the Sarawak’s business community that Hiew King, 82, who is the founder and executive chairman of Rimbunan Hijau Group, had been admitted to a hospital in Singapore.
As at press time, it could not be confirmed whether rumours suggesting that Tiong, who is also the Media
Chinese
International Limited Group
(MCIL) ex- ecutive chairman, was treated for stroke were true or otherwise.
Sources attached to the four mainstream Chinese publications under MCIL were giving conflicting information on rumours to the New Straits Times.
One of the sources claimed that news over Tiong’s health condition was only hearsay.
“I believe this is hearsay from an outsider,” said the sources.
The other source, however, gave contradicting information when he said Tiong was “recovering” but was unaware of the illness suffered by him, who had three years ago made Forbes’ Top 10 Richest Tycoons.
The NST also learned that it was unlikely that Rimbunan Hijau Group would issue any statements regarding the matter.
His younger brother, Dudong state assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King, cast doubt of the rumours and insisted that his brother was fine.
Tiong Thai King, who was former Lanang member of parliament, said on Saturday that his brother was in Singapore. Efforts to get more information from him yesterday were futile.
Tiong founded Rimbunan Hijau timber company in 1975. Over the years, the company expanded it wings and turned into a conglomerate.