Nippon Paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang remembered as hard-working boss who cared for his employees

SINGAPORE - Mr Goh Cheng Liang, the richest Singaporean on Forbes’ 2025 list of global billionaires, was fondly remembered by close associates and employees for being a hard-working and caring boss.

The founder of paint and coatings company Wuthelam Group

died on the morning of Aug 12

at the age of 98 from prostate cancer, which he had lived with for 31 years.

Mr Goh held a majority stake in Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings and had an estimated net worth of US$13 billion (S$16.7 billion), according to Forbes.

At his wake at The Garden of Remembrance, a Christian columbarium in Choa Chu Kang, those who were close to Mr Goh told The Straits Times that the paint tycoon often stressed the importance of hard work and frugality to his employees.

He was also known for remembering personal details about them, including the well-being of their children.

Mr Ong Chin Han, a sales manager at Nippon Paint Singapore, said that when Mr Goh used to visit the firm’s factory in Jurong, he would arrive at lunchtime and encourage employees to take their break, rather than ask about their work progress.

“Mr Goh took the effort to deeply understand his employees,” said Mr Ong, who has been with the company for more than 37 years.

“Outside of work, he was very low-profile and dressed simply, so people would not realise he was a big boss.”

Mr Ong, who last saw Mr Goh eight years ago, also said he was a generous man.

“I remember my father telling me he once ‘had lunch’ with Mr Goh – I did not believe him at first, but I later found out Mr Goh was dining in the same restaurant and had paid for everyone’s meal,” Mr Ong said.

Mr Budi Fianto Buna, president commissioner of Nippon Paint Indonesia, said he started working for Mr Goh when he was 20 years old.

“Mr Goh wanted kind, loyal and honest people to support his business,” said Mr Budi, who flew to Singapore for the wake.

“Under him, I learnt the importance of being honest, hard-working and thrifty... Mr Goh was so successful because he was thrifty and never gave up.”

Mr Budi, 75, said his boss visited Indonesia frequently between 1970 and 1980.

In the early 1980s, Nippon Paint Indonesia – previously a joint venture between its Japanese shareholders and Mr Goh – was sold to Mr Goh following the rise of anti-Japanese sentiment during that period.

“When he came to Indonesia, (Mr Goh) loved to sail and fish – we both loved the sea,” said Mr Budi.

“We would speak in English sometimes, but then he would speak to me in Malay just to joke around.”

Mr Budi also said Mr Goh was a risk-taker.

“If he liked a property, he would just buy it – there was no need for calculations... He said that if you took too long to decide, someone else would buy it,” he added.

Mr Li Shu Wei, Mr Goh’s most recent caretaker, said the tycoon enjoyed visiting hot springs in China, Taiwan and Japan. In his later years, when he needed a wheelchair during his trips, he would often say: “Thank you, you have worked hard.”

“When Mr Goh was in his 80s, he was still quite mobile. I was afraid he might fall, so I suggested he use a walking stick. But he was very strong-willed and told me he was strong and did not need it,” Mr Li said.

“It was only after three or four years that he finally agreed to use one.”

Mr Goh is survived by three children, Mr Goh Hup Jin, Mr Goh Chuen Jin and Ms Goh Chiat Jin, as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The wake will be held until Aug 14.

Among the attendees at the wake were Singapore Exchange chairman Koh Boon Hwee, who was chairman of Wuthelam Group from 1991 to 2000; former MP Ker Sin Tze; UOB Bank chief executive Wee Ee Cheong; and former foreign minister George Yeo.