As Dongguan deepens its economic and cultural ties with Southeast Asia, Fenggang Town, a well-known hometown of overseas Chinese, is hosting its 2026 Hakka Diaspora Cultural Season. Nanfang Plus and South spoke with Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, founder and chairman of Malaysia's Sunway Group, about his Hakka heritage, entrepreneurial journey, philanthropy and vision for stronger Dongguan–Malaysia cooperation.
Interviewer: As a third-generation Malaysian Hakka with ancestral roots in Fenggang, how did Hakka culture influence your life and career?
Jeffrey Cheah: I grew up in Pusing, Malaysia, surrounded by a strong Hakka community. From an early age, I heard stories of our ancestors who travelled to Southeast Asia, overcame hardships and built new lives.
Their perseverance, determination and spirit of mutual support deeply shaped my values. These qualities helped earlier generations establish themselves in unfamiliar surroundings and contribute to Malaysia's development.
Throughout my life, the Hakka spirit has guided me through challenges in entrepreneurship, business and philanthropy. It reminds me to remain resilient, pursue opportunities and give back to society.
Interviewer: You transformed abandoned mining land into Sunway City. What were the keys to this remarkable transformation?
Jeffrey Cheah: In 1974, I left my accounting career to establish Sungei Way Corporation, which later became Sunway Group.
When we began developing Sunway City, the site was largely abandoned mining land. Many doubted our vision, and banks were initially reluctant to provide financing.
But entrepreneurs must dare to dream and have the courage to face uncertainty. What matters is staying committed to a vision and working together to realise it.
Over the decades, we transformed the site into a sustainable township where more than 200,000 people live, work, study and enjoy leisure activities.
I believe three elements made this possible: a clear vision, unwavering determination and an excellent team. Even seemingly impossible goals can be achieved with these foundations.
Interviewer: What values have enabled Sunway Group to achieve lasting success?
Jeffrey Cheah: Opportunities may bring short-term success, but long-term success depends on values.
Sunway Group has always upheld three core values: integrity, humility and excellence.
Integrity means doing the right thing in the right way. Humility means listening, learning and remaining open to new ideas. Excellence means constantly raising standards and improving our products and services.
Business leaders must encourage innovation, diversity and lifelong learning. These values have helped Sunway navigate challenges and sustain its growth over the decades.
Interviewer: Why has education become such an important part of your philanthropic mission?
Jeffrey Cheah: As a child, I saw friends unable to continue their education because their families could not afford it. That experience convinced me that education can transform lives and shape a nation's future.
In 1987, I founded Sunway College to expand educational opportunities. In 2010, I transferred the ownership of Sunway Education Group to the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, ensuring that its institutions would pursue a long-term, not-for-profit mission.
More than RM4 billion has been endowed and invested in education through the foundation. Sunway and the foundation have also adopted 10 public schools across Malaysia, investing over RM62 million in improvements.
I have pledged another RM100 million annually over five years, totalling RM500 million by 2030, to support education and world-class research.
Interviewer: Why are Chinese-language education and Hakka cultural preservation especially important to you?
Jeffrey Cheah: I received my education mainly in English and regret not learning Chinese when I was young. As China's international influence has grown, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of the language.
Language connects people to their cultural identity. That is why I have supported Chinese primary schools in Malaysia and remained actively involved in Hakka cultural organisations.
Through visits to Fenggang and exchanges with Hakka communities, I have seen how education, family values and mutual support sustain our heritage.
Tradition should not hold young people in the past. Instead, it should give them strength to embrace innovation, artificial intelligence and new opportunities while preserving their core values.
Interviewer: What opportunities do you see for future cooperation between Dongguan, Fenggang and Malaysia?
Jeffrey Cheah: Fenggang is my ancestral hometown and will always hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I return, I feel a strong sense of belonging and am impressed by its vitality and rich Hakka heritage.
Dongguan has a strong manufacturing foundation and a dynamic environment for innovation, while Fenggang benefits from extensive overseas Chinese connections.
I hope to promote closer cooperation in trade, investment, industrial development, education, Hakka culture and youth exchanges.
Sunway's experience in integrated urban development, education and business operations could also offer valuable insights.
By combining our strengths and sharing knowledge, we can create new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Ultimately, our connection is about more than ancestry or business. It is about building lasting relationships and creating a better future together.
Authors | Yao Mengyin, He Jianwen, Zhu Jin
Photos | Jeffrey Cheah
