Wuthelam founder and Nippon Paint tycoon remembered for business acumen, philanthropy, and humility
Goh Cheng Liang, Singapore’s richest man and founder of Wuthelam Group, died on 12 August 2025 at the age of 98, surrounded by family. From humble beginnings in a rented shophouse, he built a global paint empire and left a lasting legacy in business and philanthropy.
Humble Beginnings to Industry Pioneer
Born in 1927 in Singapore, Goh grew up in a small rented room on River Valley Road with his parents and four siblings. During World War II, he moved to Muar, Malaya, helping relatives sell fishing nets. Returning to Singapore in 1943, he tried his hand at selling aerated water before apprenticing at a hardware store, where he learned about paints.
Turning Surplus Paint into a Fortune
In 1949, Goh bought surplus “rotten paint” from the British army and, using a Chinese dictionary and technical knowledge, created Pigeon Brand paints. His business flourished during the Korean War’s import restrictions, and Nippon Paint appointed him as its distributor. The oil crisis of 1973 brought another windfall as he cleared surplus stocks at high margins.
Expanding into Real Estate and Healthcare
Goh invested his paint profits into real estate, developing landmark projects like Liang Court and Mount Elizabeth Hospital. In 1974, he founded Wuthelam Holdings, expanding into global property and commercial ventures. His eldest son, Goh Hup Jin, later spearheaded a strategic alliance and eventual majority acquisition of Nippon Paint Holdings in 2021, a deal worth US$12 billion.
Philanthropy and Cancer Advocacy
A cancer survivor, Goh established the Goh Foundation in 1995, funding major healthcare projects including the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre. His contributions supported cancer research, palliative care, and treatment facilities, as well as medical initiatives for children.
Contributions Beyond Singapore
Goh also funded roads, clean water systems, sanitation, and schools in his ancestral village of Dawu, Chaozhou, China. His philanthropy extended across Asia, earning him recognition as both an entrepreneur and humanitarian.
Remembered for Kindness and Humility
NCCS chief executive Lim Soon Thye praised Goh’s “instrumental” role in advancing cancer care. His son, Hup Jin, called him “a beacon of kindness and strength” who taught the family to live with compassion and humility. Goh is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Goh Cheng Liang’s journey from post-war poverty to becoming Singapore’s wealthiest man is a story of resilience, ingenuity, and generosity. His enduring legacy lies not only in the global reach of his business but in the lives touched by his philanthropy, both in Singapore and abroad.
Sources: South China Morning Post (2025) , The Online Citizen (2025)
Keywords: Goh Cheng Liang Death, Singapore Richest Man, Wuthelam Founder, Nippon Paint Stake, Cancer Research Donation, Business Legacy Singapore
