5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok’s daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho

SINGAPORE - Ms Kuok Hui Kwong is under the spotlight following a new assignment as

chief executive of luxury hotel group Shangri-La Asia

from Aug 1.

Aged 47, Ms Kuok is a daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, the sixth of his eight children, and a prominent business executive – she has been Shangri-La Asia’s executive director since June 2016 and its chairwoman since January 2017. She is married to Mr Bryan Gaw, with whom she has three children.

She has generally kept a low profile, so it was a surprise when she went on popular Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, where she has been active since 2021.

Here are five things you should know about her, based on glimpses into her life she has shared:

1. She loves spending time with her father

Her father Robert Kuok, who is 101 years old in 2025, seldom asks Ms Kuok when she is coming home for dinner, knowing that she is busy with work. Despite this, she knows that he wishes to spend time with her.

“One of the best traits of my father is how sincere he is to others,” said Ms Kuok, recalling a trip to New York with her father, where he became fast friends with a cab driver they met. At the end of the ride, the driver refused to take payment, feeling that he had already become old friends with Mr Kuok.

2. She believes that the best present for children is your time

The children of this generation all have enough gifts at home, said Ms Kuok.

“What they need is your company and the time you spend with them,” she said. Mobile phones are not allowed at the dinner table in her home so that everyone can communicate with each other, uninterrupted by digital devices.

“Whenever I recall my childhood, my best memories growing up were the times I spent with my parents,” said Ms Kuok, who was born in Malaysia and grew up in Hong Kong.

The most important role in a child’s life is their mother, she added.

“The mother is the one who teaches them morals and values, and is also the child’s companion in life,” she said.

3. Her must-eats when she visits Singapore

“Singapore has a very diverse culture, a melting pot for the different characteristics of China, South-east Asia and India, making up a cuisine culture that’s unique to the country,” said Ms Kuok, adding that she brings her children to her favourite food spots whenever they visit Singapore.

One of her food picks is the dosai from Komala Vilas, a restaurant that serves Indian vegetarian cuisine. Dosai, or dosa, is a thin, savoury crepe-like dish from South India, made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils.

Ms Kuok also recommended Ming Kee Chicken Rice in Bishan, which offers Hainanese chicken rice with ice-chilled chicken. She described the stall’s chicken skin as soft and tender.

Other food picks include Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice.

4. She has a collection of canvas tote bags

Ms Kuok showed her collection of tote bags on Xiaohongshu – she brings one out everywhere.

“I prefer using canvas tote bags because they can be washed and kept clean, so I don’t have to worry about them getting dirty,” she said.

Her tote bag collection features many different designs, including one that has “Life is pain” printed on it, making a pun on pain au chocolat, the French term for a chocolate croissant.

5. She believes in living sustainably

While disposable tableware is more convenient, it is harmful to the planet, said Ms Kuok.

“The rate of our product consumption keeps increasing... At this rate, we might need to find a new planet to live on,” she said in a post on her sustainable habits to protect the environment.

Among these habits is carrying reusable tableware like a glass lunch box, which she uses to pack leftover food from restaurants to take home.

She also carries her own water bottle when watching movies or when she goes hiking to avoid using plastic bottles.