Goh Cheng Liang, founder of Wuthelam Group and Singapore’s richest man, passed away at the age of 98 leaving behind a remarkable legacy in business property development and philanthropy. Born in Singapore in 1927 Goh spent his early years in a small rented room with his parents, three sisters and a brother. Despite these humble beginnings he later developed the iconic Liang Court property along River Valley Road Singapore’s first shopping centre in that area.
Childhood Hardships During the War
During World War II Goh moved to Muar in Malaya helping his brother in law sell fishing nets. “My parents were very poor,” he recalled. “During the Japanese Occupation my father was jobless, my mother washed laundry and my sister sold soon kway [rice noodle cakes].”
Starting a Business from Scratch
After the war Goh returned to Singapore and started an aerated water business which later failed. He then became an apprentice at a hardware store. In 1949 he acquired barrels of surplus British army paint and using knowledge from a training course in Denmark and a Chinese dictionary created Pigeon Brand paints.
Building a Global Paint Empire
His business prospered during the Korean War due to import restrictions and later boomed during the 1973 oil crisis particularly with surplus stocks in his Indonesian factory. Goh also secured a lasting partnership with Nippon Paint eventually acquiring a 60 percent stake in the company.
Landmark Properties and Philanthropy
Beyond paints Goh developed landmark properties such as Liang Court and Mount Elizabeth Hospital. A cancer survivor, he invested heavily in medical research, founding the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre and supporting cancer care and rheumatology through the Goh Foundation.Legacy and Social Impact
Goh also supported social initiatives in his ancestral village in China funding roads, schools and clean water projects. His approach combined business acumen with humility and philanthropy creating a model for future entrepreneurs. Goh Cheng Liang is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and a great grandchild.
