The Three Whisperer: The Official Biography of Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, Founder of IOI Group

At the age of 11, Lee Shin Cheng left school to become an ice-cream seller. Through sheer will and determination, he broke out of the clutches of poverty by constantly aiming for the skies.

Following his mother’s advice to “do good and be good”, he made a name for himself as the founder of IOI Group, leaving behind great accomplishments in the palm oil and property sectors. Because of his affinity with oil palm trees, he was also fondly known as “The Tree Whisperer”. Listed by Forbes as Malaysia’s fifth-richest man in 2019, Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng remained steadfastly humble and down-to-earth despite his success.

Over the course of his career, he contributed selflessly to his country and community, advocating the importance of Chinese education and paying respects to his heritage through various philanthropic initiatives. The Tree Whisperer documents Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng’s inspirational journey, told through a collection of personal stories shared by family members, close friends, and business associates. His tenacity and enterprising spirit continue to live on in the pages of this book, as well as in the hearts of the people he touched.