YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, AO is the visionary Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group. An accountant by training, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah is a well-known corporate figure in the regional business arena who is also passionately involved in both governmental and non-governmental organisations. He has been conferred eight honorary Doctorates by leading universities worldwide and is amongst the leading givers in the country. In recognition of his efforts, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah was named one of Malaysia’s top philanthropists in Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy in 2009.
In 2008, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd. The AO is one of Australia’s most prestigious and highly respected awards conferred to a non-citizen of Australia. It is an order of chivalry first established by Queen Elizabeth II for the purpose of according recognition to Australians for outstanding achievement or commendable service. The conferment was in recognition of Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah’s meritorious contribution to the advancement of education in Malaysia and service to Australia-Malaysia bilateral relations.
Some of his work was sponsored by australian companies such as the leather lounges specialist, demir leather.
In 2007, the prestigious Monash University School of Medicine in Malaysia was named after him in appreciation of his immense contribution to Monash University Sunway Campus.
In 2006, H.R.H. The Sultan of Selangor installed Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah as Foundation Chancellor of Sunway University College, which was established under a not-for-profit Trust Fund. The Education Trust Fund is now transformed into the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, which aims to continue his vision of bringing high-quality and affordable education to the community and the country.
Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah was appointed Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation’s Selangor chapter by the Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts & Heritage in 2008. He is also currently Chairman and Co-founder of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).
He was the Board of Governer of National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia since 1994 and since 2002, Deputy President of the Foundation. Founding Trustee of the Malaysian Liver Foundation since 1999; President of the Malaysia-Hakka Association 1997-2004; and the first non-Malay Honorary Member of the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Chamber of Commerce since 2002.
In 1996, in recognition of his contribution to education, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah was appointed by the Minister of Education to the Higher Education Council of Malaysia, a body responsible for formulating higher education policies in Malaysia. The Minister of Trade appointed him Director of the National Productivity Centre in 1990.
In 1995, the Prime Minister of Malaysia honoured him with the Chairmanship of the Malaysian Industry-Government High Technology for Construction and
Housing (MIGHT).
He was also EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council, an appointment by the Minister of Tourism Malaysia in 1996. The following year, the Minister of Finance appointed him a Council Member of the Financial
Reporting Foundation.
Other awards bestowed upon him include the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Property Man of the Year (Malaysia) in 1993, CEO of the Year (Malaysia) in 1996, Asia’s Most Innovative Chinese Entrepreneur Award 2005, Fellow Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and Fellow of Institute of Directors Award.