Cover Dato’ Simon Foong, CEO and executive chairman of Aquawalk, with his wife Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, managing director of InNature Bhd
Dato’ Simon Foong, CEO and executive chairman of Aquawalk, with his wife Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, managing director of InNature Bhd
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In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Dato’ Simon Foong and Datin Mina Cheah-Foong impart the wisdom of a seasoned partnership
In an era where relationships often begin with swipes and clicks, the love story of Dato’ Simon Foong and Datin Mina Cheah-Foong began the old-fashioned way—over steamboat and garden parties in 1970s Ipoh. Their first encounter was shortly after Simon returned from the UK, sporting the decade’s signature fashion of big-collared shirts and medallions. Little did they know that this casual meeting would lead to a partnership spanning over four decades of blissful marriage and business success.
Their paths crossed again in Belfast, where Mina attended boarding school and Simon’s best friend was her guardian. It was in Simon’s kitchen where their connection deepened, though not quite in the way one might expect. “I think she fell in love with the food, not with me,” Simon recalls with characteristic humour. Mina would often escape from boarding school on her bicycle, seeking comfort in Malaysian cuisine at Simon’s place.
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The transition from friendship to love wasn’t immediate, but when it happened, it was unmistakable. “We went from friends to lovers in a ‘thunderbolt’ moment when all of a sudden I realised that he’s not just a guy, he’s a special guy,” Mina says. “Those kinds of moments are rare but fade with time. The underlying friendship, mutual respect, understanding and admiration of character, that’s what lasts.”
Above Their love story began the old-fashioned way—over steamboat and garden parties in 1970s Ipoh
Above “We went from friends to lovers in a ‘thunderbolt’ moment,” Mina says
Their love story began the old-fashioned way—over steamboat and garden parties in 1970s Ipoh
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Celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary this year, the couple’s endurance seems to lie in their appreciation for life’s smaller moments. Their love language isn’t in grand gestures but in quiet, daily pleasures: holding hands while shopping, spontaneous hugs and their signature “toe-touching” during frequent movie nights in bed. “I think physical touch, quality time and laughter are important,” Simon says as his wife concurs. “It’s the small daily acts of connection that make a difference,” Mina explains. “It’s difficult to sustain big gestures all the time, for decades.”
Their partnership extends beyond romance into the business world, where they operate as equal partners while managing different areas of their enterprises. Simon is the CEO and executive chairman of Aquawalk, behind brands like Aquaria KLCC and The Rift. Mina is the managing director of InNature Bhd, the company behind the Malaysian franchise of The Body Shop. “We maintain final say over our respective business,” Simon says, explaining the pair’s healthy work dynamic.
Their success in maintaining both personal and professional relationships stems from a foundation of absolute trust. “The good thing about working together is that I am absolutely 110 per cent sure he has my back,” Mina says. “There’s no ulterior motives, manoeuvring or politicking. That gives a real grounded sense of security in our business relationship.”
Their complementary personalities have proven to be their strength. Simon, the self-described adventurous entrepreneur, brings vision and opportunity-spotting to their partnership. Mina, steady and methodical, provides the operational expertise to turn those visions into reality. “She’s the stable one I can count on for good advice in a crisis and the one who can calm me down,” Simon says admiringly of his wife. Mina is equally appreciative, “I value his sense of humour and his ability to let things go. He can truly forgive and forget.”
Above Their enduring bond is built on friendship, mutual respect and the conscious decision to love each other
Their enduring bond is built on friendship, mutual respect and the conscious decision to love each other
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Like any long-term relationship, they’ve had their share of disagreements. Their approach to conflict resolution is refreshingly simple: don’t let issues fester, talk them through and find ways to make each other laugh. Sometimes, reconciliation begins with their signature toe-touching ritual. “If I tap him and he doesn’t move away, I know that we can make progress from there,” Mina says.
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The couple’s approach to maintaining their spark is equally pragmatic. For Mina, it means staying attuned to Simon’s interests—discovering new restaurants for the food lover, planning movie nights and going on regular dates. Simon, in turn, accompanies Mina on supermarket trips (her favourite, he says) and has become the go-to person for jewellery sellers to entice with gifts for his wife, who often prefers simpler things over luxury items.
Their enduring bond is built on friendship, mutual respect and the conscious decision to love each other every day. For Mina, the essence of their relationship lies in the security of having someone to depend on. “Knowing that there’s someone there for you, if you need anything, gives me the greatest peace of mind,” she says.
Simon values their ability to consult each other, share advice and maintain open communication through all of life’s challenges. “Falling in love is very important, but I think you must look past that and there must be communication, so you must be friends,” Simon emphasises. “If you can make each other smile and laugh all the time, I think it will last a lifetime.”
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
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