In the year 2025, where global changes are frequent and technological advances are accelerating, Malaysia is not passively waiting for the future to arrive, but is quietly nurturing a group of business giants that will rock the world. These 10 outstanding individuals, dubbed as ‘ Top 10 Successful Malaysians ’, have not only successfully changed the rules of the game in their respective industries, but more importantly, they have reinvented the meaning of the word ‘success’ through their actions. They are not myths, but a source of inspiration that every Malaysian can relate to.
Jimmy Choo: From a Small Town in Penang to the Global Fashion Summit – A Legacy of Elegance and Craftsmanship
Jimmy Choo was born in Penang, Malaysia, to a family of shoemakers. He has built a world-famous luxury footwear brand in London, thanks to his exceptional craftsmanship and unique fashion sense. He has been seen at the British Royal Family, on the Hollywood red carpet and at fashion weeks. He is known for being an expert in shoes. Even in 2025, he is still active on the global fashion stage, sticking to the idea of handmade customisation and not worrying about fast fashion trends.
He is not just a designer, but also someone who has learned from the past and is a leader. He actively promotes the growth of local Malaysian designers. He does this by setting up scholarships and organising international exhibitions. These exhibitions bring local creativity to the international stage. Each pair of his shoes is a work of art and a symbol of culture and dreams. They have had a big influence on fashion designers for many years.
Vincent Tan: Bringing McDonald’s to Malaysia with Not Just Business Acumen, but a Vision of the Times | Top 10 Successful Malaysians
Vincent Tan is one of the most famous businesspeople in Malaysia. He brought 7-Eleven and McDonald’s to the country, and also had a hand in media, telecommunications, finance and sports. He owns a variety of businesses, including shops, technology companies, entertainment venues and even a football club (Cardiff City, which used to play in the Premier League). He knows how to take advantage of changing times and make sure that the company’s decisions match social trends.
He was one of the first to create fintech and e-commerce platforms in the digital economy, and he has continued to push the boundaries of the industry. He has a lot of keen insights, makes quick decisions and manages his time really well. For him, every business strike is a revolution that crosses borders.
Lee Kar Whatt: Redefining Retail Logic with Just 2 Ringgit, Making Quality Affordable for All
In a time when expensive brands are everywhere, Lee Kar Whatt did something different. He created Eco-Shop with the idea of ‘quality at affordable prices’. This changed how people thought about low-priced products. With a price tag of RM2, he has entered the urban and rural markets across Malaysia, making shopping easier and more convenient for everyone.
In 2025, he took corporate responsibility to a new level. He did this not only by setting up a foundation and donating money to schools, but also by generously giving RM1 million in aid and emergency items to disaster areas during times of natural disasters. He strongly believes that a business should do more than just make money; it should also make people feel warm and hopeful. His ideas have become an example for the new generation of shopkeepers to copy.
Chua Ma Yu: Building a National Education Dream with 170 Million Ringgit – The Quiet Philanthropist | Top 10 Successful Malaysians
Chua Ma Yu’s contribution to education philanthropy is staggering – a cumulative total of RM170 million has been invested in 980 schools across the country, covering a wide range of areas such as scholarships, facilities development, teaching reforms and more. at various levels. Never one to seek media attention, he has always maintained a low profile and a pragmatic approach to improving the realities of unequal resources in education.
He believes that ‘knowledge is the most powerful tool to enable society to transcend class’. He has paved the way for countless underprivileged students to enter university and society, and laid the foundation for Malaysia’s future creative talent. His philanthropy is a mission with no end in sight, not a short-lived show-off.
Kong Hon Kong: From a Garden Cemetery to a Cultural Innovation Success
H.K. Kong is a pioneer in introducing the concept of ‘Life Salute’ to the funeral industry. In the past, the mention of cemeteries was often shunned, but he created Nirvana Memorial Park, a park-like garden cemetery with an aesthetic and management philosophy that blends nature, humanity, and religious respect into a space that makes farewells dignified and heartwarming. Today, Nirvana is not only a leader in the Asian funeral industry but also a unique phenomenon in the global cultural and creative industries. His success has not only disrupted the traditional funeral industry, but has also redefined people’s understanding of ‘the end’.
In 2025, he continues to promote the concept of green burial, combining traditional culture with modern technology to make the last journey of life more dignified and beautiful. His career is a sign of respect for the deceased and a comfort for the living.
Frank Choo: Turning “Filial Piety” into a Corporate Culture, Emotional and Responsibility-Driven Business | Top 10 Successful Malaysians
Following in his father’s footsteps is no easy task, especially when it comes to the challenge of combining traditional culture with modern business. However, Frank Choo has proven this through his actions. He has led the Hsiao En Group in successfully transforming the culture of filial piety from a traditional ritual confined to the family and community to a core concept of modern corporate culture. Through innovation, he has not only carried on his father’s business, but also expanded it.
Frank Choo understands that filial piety is not only an expression of emotion, but also a driving force for social development. His business success is an example of translating emotional values into business growth and bringing more humanistic care to modern corporate culture. He has ensured that the spirit of filial piety not only spreads within families, but also becomes the secret weapon of corporate success.
Pang Chong Yong: Carrying the Hope of “Made in Malaysia” with One Bus, Craftsmanship Spirit Creates Business Miracles | Top 10 Successful Malaysians
Pang Chong Yong’s story is not only the story of an entrepreneur’s growth, but also the story of the successful rise of Malaysia’s manufacturing industry. Starting out as an air conditioning installer, he has created his own business legend with 30 years of hard work and deep skills. He is not only a practitioner but also a craftsman, meticulously polishing every detail and contributing to the country’s industrial development in a way that cannot be ignored. Under his leadership, Gemilang Coachwork has grown from a small workshop to one of the country’s leading automotive manufacturing groups, and Gemilang’s success lies not only in the production of high-quality coaches, but also in the combination of technological innovation and vision.
Pang Chong Yong’s blend of ‘professionalism’ and ‘craftsmanship’ has propelled Malaysia’s place in the global automotive industry. He has taught us that success is not only about the accumulation of capital and resources, but also about craftsmanship and innovative thinking.
Davis Chong: Not a Tech Mogul, but the “Behind-the-Scenes President” of Solar Energy Policies, Using Responsibility to Drive Industry Innovation
As founder and CEO of Solarvest Holdings, Davis Chong has taken an unusual route to business success. He is not a technology guru in the traditional sense, nor a digital technology leader, but he has made a name for himself in the environmental and energy industries, and his career has been focused not just on making a profit, but more importantly, on driving the sustainable development of Malaysia’s energy industry. His strategic focus on solar energy has made Solarvest a leader in the industry and has driven the development and implementation of the Malaysian government’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) policy.
As the ‘driving force’ behind the policy, he is committed not only to making profits for the company, but also to promoting environmental protection and renewable energy. He believes that environmental protection is not only a corporate social responsibility, but also the greatest opportunity for industrial innovation. His success not only reflects the combination of technology and business, but also proves that a sense of responsibility can be an important driver of progress in industry.
Ian Ho: Making Shopee International, Achieved Through Strategy, Not Luck, Global E-commerce Leader’s Visionary Approach | Top 10 Successful Malaysians
Moving from investment to e-commerce, Ian Ho’s keen business acumen and international vision have successfully propelled Shopee to the forefront of the global e-commerce market. As the head of Shopee Malaysia, he not only focuses on the local operation of the business, but also strategises on cross-border e-commerce and innovative technologies such as AI recommendation algorithms, which have enabled Shopee to steadily take a leading position in the international market. Under his leadership, Shopee Malaysia has become a key player in the e-commerce market in Southeast Asia, and its success is not only based on insights into the needs of local users, but also benefits from the technological support of big data analytics and personalised recommendations.
Ian Ho understands that in the digital era, the key to success is not only having the resources, but also how to drive the growth of the business through strategic thinking and technology. Through Shopee’s international development, he shows us the endless possibilities of e-commerce in the future, especially in the areas of cross-border e-commerce and artificial intelligence.
Lee Thiam Wah: The Retail King in a Wheelchair, Writing Malaysia’s Most Legendary Comeback Story, Convenience with a Purpose
Lee Thiam Wah’s story is one of resilience and perseverance. As the founder of 99 Speedmart, Lee Thiam Wah drew extraordinary strength from his early life in a wheelchair to lead the company from a small supermarket to one of the largest convenience store chains in Malaysia. His success lies not only in business breakthroughs, but also in his deep understanding of social responsibility and his adherence to the business philosophy of ‘open for the people’. He believes that retailing is not just about exchanging goods, but also about serving and caring for customers.
Over the past 36 years, Lee Tim Wah has successfully opened more than 1,000 stores to provide Malaysian consumers with a convenient and quality shopping experience under the philosophy of ‘for the people, by the people’. He has not only interpreted ‘infinite possibilities’ with his business success, but also deeply integrated his contribution to the community into the brand culture, becoming the ‘King of Retail’ in the hearts of countless people.
Conclusion: Not Just Success, But Icons of the Era
Behind each of the ‘Top 10 Successful Malaysians 2025’, there is an unknown struggle and effort, their success is not only a personal achievement, but also an epitome of the progress of the times. From fashion to technology, education to funerals, these achievers have proved that success is not just about imitating others, but also about finding your own path through innovation and breakthroughs. They have brought the Malaysian name to the international stage, demonstrated the wisdom and strength of Malaysians through their actions, and have become role models and sources of motivation for the entire community to move upward. Under their leadership, Malaysia is moving towards a more glorious future.
