Cheong Choong Kong
Encyclopedia
Dr. Cheong Choong Kong (born 9 June 1941) is the Malaysian-born former Chief Executive Officer
of Singapore Airlines
. After the collision of Singapore Airlines Flight 006
during take-off, he appeared as the public face of the airline. Currently, he is chairman of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
and has recently had a cameo appearance on MediaCorp TV Channel 5
television sitcom The Yang Sisters
as San Poh.
in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia, Cheong obtained a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Mathematics from the University of Adelaide
in 1964. He studied in Australia as a Colombo Plan
scholar.
He also received a Master of Science (1966) and a Ph.D. (1968) in Mathematics from Australian National University
. His main fields of study were random processes and related areas of applied and theoretical probability.
(1968), eventually becoming associate professor and serving as head of the department.
He left academics in 1974 to work with Singapore Airlines. He spent 29 years at Singapore Airlines; he eventually became the company's CEO.
In 1998, Fortune
named him Asian Businessman of the Year, noting that SIA had an "unbroken 27-year record of profitability through turbulent economic times."
He was first appointed to the board of OCBC on 1 July 1999. He served as vice chairman from 26 March 2002 to 30 June 2003. On 1 July 2003, he was elected chairman of the board.
He is now a Director of several companies, including Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Ltd and Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd.
and of its successor, Singapore International Media from July 1989 to September 1995. He has also served as the Chairman of the Council of the National University of Singapore
. His service was for two consecutive two-year terms ending on July 31, 2004. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Singapore-US Business Council. Finally, Dr Cheong has held directorships in companies which include Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd and United Eagle Airlines Co Ltd.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
. After the collision of Singapore Airlines Flight 006
Singapore Airlines Flight 006
Singapore Airlines Flight 006 was a scheduled passenger flight from Singapore Changi Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Chiang Kai-shek Airport in Taiwan...
during take-off, he appeared as the public face of the airline. Currently, he is chairman of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
The Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited , abbreviated as OCBC Bank , is a publicly listed financial services organisation with its head office in Singapore. OCBC Bank is one of Singapore's leading local banks, with group assets of more than 224 billion SGD. It has one of the highest bank...
and has recently had a cameo appearance on MediaCorp TV Channel 5
MediaCorp TV Channel 5
MediaCorp Channel 5 or Channel 5 is a 24-hour free-to-air English and Malay language television channel based in Singapore....
television sitcom The Yang Sisters
The Yang Sisters
The Yang Sisters is a Singaporean sitcom on MediaCorp Channel 5. As Honey, the eldest of three sisters Pei Pei is a kungfu master whose No. 1 mission in life is to hook a husband for her tomboyish daughter Qing Qing...
as San Poh.
Academic
After completing his studies at the Methodist Boys' SchoolMethodist Boys' School (Kuala Lumpur)
Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur is a cluster secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was founded in July 1897, making it one of the oldest schools in Malaysia. It is known as MBS and its students are known as MBSians. The school is also known as Marble School or Horley School to the...
in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia, Cheong obtained a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Mathematics from the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
in 1964. He studied in Australia as a Colombo Plan
Colombo Plan
The Colombo Plan is a regional organization that embodies the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific Region...
scholar.
He also received a Master of Science (1966) and a Ph.D. (1968) in Mathematics from Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. His main fields of study were random processes and related areas of applied and theoretical probability.
Career
He began his career as a mathematics lecturer in the University of MalayaUniversity of Malaya
The University of Malaya is located on a campus near the centre of Kuala Lumpur, and is the oldest university in Malaysia. It was founded in 1905 as a public-funded tertiary institution...
(1968), eventually becoming associate professor and serving as head of the department.
He left academics in 1974 to work with Singapore Airlines. He spent 29 years at Singapore Airlines; he eventually became the company's CEO.
In 1998, Fortune
Fortune (magazine)
Fortune is a global business magazine published by Time Inc. Founded by Henry Luce in 1930, the publishing business, consisting of Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, grew to become Time Warner. In turn, AOL grew as it acquired Time Warner in 2000 when Time Warner was the world's largest...
named him Asian Businessman of the Year, noting that SIA had an "unbroken 27-year record of profitability through turbulent economic times."
He was first appointed to the board of OCBC on 1 July 1999. He served as vice chairman from 26 March 2002 to 30 June 2003. On 1 July 2003, he was elected chairman of the board.
He is now a Director of several companies, including Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Ltd and Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd.
Positions held
He served as Chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting CorporationSingapore Broadcasting Corporation
Singapore Broadcasting Corporation was a partially privatised mass market media conglomeration, which dominated the entire television and most of the radio broadcasting industry in Singapore during its existence...
and of its successor, Singapore International Media from July 1989 to September 1995. He has also served as the Chairman of the Council of the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
. His service was for two consecutive two-year terms ending on July 31, 2004. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Singapore-US Business Council. Finally, Dr Cheong has held directorships in companies which include Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd and United Eagle Airlines Co Ltd.