HE founded Malaysia Dairy Industries, known for its household products such as Vitagen and Marigold, and over the years, gave away his shares in his group of companies to his family members.

In 2007, by then a minority shareholder, Mr Thio Keng Poon, 77, was removed as chairman, managing director and director for allegedly making bogus claims, by his family members. He was accused of double claiming for travel expenses of about $45,000.

Fighting his ouster, the patriarch, represented by Senior Counsel Vinodh Coomaraswamy, filed a lawsuit against his wife, three sons, three daughters and four family companies, for oppression.

On Monday, the 19-day hearing into the lawsuit began in the High Court with Mr Thio taking the stand - a magnifying glass in hand to view documents.

He claimed that he transferred his shares to his family members on an unwritten 'understanding' that he would keep his posts, take part in managing the group and have the final say on pay and benefits to be paid to directors. In other words, he claimed that even though he had transferred most of the shares to his family, he continues to call the shots.

'I make the decisions because it's my company. I've built the company with my blood and sweat for 46 years,' he said.

He noted that his company initially had a subscribed capital of $1 million but it now stands at $800 million.

'I'm very proud of myself and all this is because of me.'

In his affidavit, he said he was compelled to name all his children in the suit but only eldest son Syn Pyn and youngest son Syn Wee are hostile to him. He accused them of maneuvring to remove him in the Singapore companies after failing to do so in Malaysia over a payment of RM600,000 (S$250,000) to himself in consultancy fees in two companies there.

He said his wife did nothing to stop his sons because she was disappointed with him over his female companion.

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.