Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian is the chairman of Batu Kawan Berhad, which owns one of the largest plantations companies in the country, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK).

Lee is the eldest son of rubber baron Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng, the founder of KLK who is credited for successfully transitioning the family’s business from tin mining to rubber.

Mentored by his father, Lee helped with the company’s expansion into palm oil. He assumed the position of chairman and CEO after his father’s passing. Lee was behind KLK’s foray into palm-oil cultivation in Indonesia, which led to significant land acquisitions in the country and later in Liberia, Africa. He is also credited for spearheading the group’s venture into the oleochemicals business.

Hailed as true-blue planter by many of his business peers, Lee has served in the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and is the honorary fellow of the Incorporated Society of Planters. He also supports several charitable organisations, and is the trustee of the intellectual-heritage group Perdana Leadership Foundation and Yayasan Tuanku Bainun.