MELBOURNE, April 2 — A former Malaysian construction magnate, who was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II for his philanthropy and business work in Queensland, has died in Brisbane.

Dr. Peter Yeoh Tiong Yong, who is from the acclaimed Yeoh family of Malaysia passed away on Thursday after a protracted illness. He was 78. 

His death was announced by his daughter, Patricia Yeoh, who said the family was at the bedside when he died.

Yeoh was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen Elizabeth II birthday honours list eight years ago for his service to business, multiculturalism and his huge donations to health and education.

In April 2003, Yeoh was awarded the prestigious Centenary Medal by the Governor-General of Australia to honour his achievements in a broad cross section of the Australasian community.

He was particularly active in the Australian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Australia Malaysia Business Council.

Yeoh, the youngest of nine sibilings, including Tan Sri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay, headed the family’s company Yeoh Cheng Liam Construction Sdn Bhd at the age of 26 after graduating from the Sydney University of Technology. 

During his tenure of 22 years, Yeoh grew the business to become one of the largest construction companies in Malaysia at the time. It influenced the birth to the YTL Corporation Berhad, one of Malaysia’s leading integrated infrastructure conglomerates, headed by Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

Yeoh, who was inducted as a Fellow of the Faculty of Building (FFB) in London in 1982, migrated with his young family to Australia in 1985 and started the YTY Group of Companies with interest in property investment and management. 

Since arriving in Brisbane, Yeoh had been actively involved in the administration, facilitation and promotion of better economic, social and cultural ties linked to Australia's relations with Malaysia and China. 

Yeoh actively promoted multiculturalism and integration of overseas Chinese into Australian society.  

Yeoh leaves his wife Alice Mah Kam Moi, son Zak and daughters Patricia, Yvonne and Peggy and four grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at the Brisbane City Hall, on Friday, April 4, followed by burial at the Centenary Memorial Gardens in Brisbane. — Bernama