IOI Group founder and executive chairman Lee Shin Cheng died at 8.30pm today. He was 79.

The business magnate had been due to retire next Monday, the same day he would have turned 80.

Lee founded IOI Group, comprising plantation and property businesses, more than 25 years ago, steering it to become one of the leading such organisations in Malaysia.

He also held the posts of honorary president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia and council member of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council for the Government, and was awarded an honorary fellowship by the Malaysian Oil Scientists and Technologists Association.

He leaves behind wife Hoong May Kuan and six children – two sons and four daughters.

His younger son, IOI Properties Group Bhd CEO Lee Yeow Seng, married Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin in March. – June 1, 2019.