The life story of Chiau Haw Choon is a transformative journey filled with inspiration. From a troubled youth involved in gangs to the youngest managing director of a publicly listed Malaysian company, his journey is a testament to the power of self-reflection and hard work.
Born into a family that owned a small hardware shop in Megat Dewa, Kedah, Chiau’s early years were steeped in the world of building materials. His grandfather, Chiau Kok Heah, founded the shop, and it was here that Chiau Haw Choon developed his initial passion for the industry. “I always talk about my grandfather because without him and without that platform, I wouldn’t have my passion for building materials,” Chiau Haw Choon recalls.
Turning Points of Chiau Haw Choon
His life took a dark turn when the family moved to Alor Setar. At the age of 13, Chiau dropped out of school and got involved in gangs. “I was getting up to all kinds of nonsense,” he admits. His rebellious nature led to a brush with the law at 15, resulting in a five-day stint in a police lockup. Despite his initial resolve to change, the freedom he experienced only fueled his wayward behavior.
A significant turning point came when his mother suggested he study basic English in Singapore. Though his initial motivation was to escape the monotony of Alor Setar rather than to study, this move set the stage for a profound transformation. Under the care of a guardian, Chiau Haw Choon began his English tuition. “It was eat, ate and eaten,” he chuckles, recalling his first learned words. His tutor, who also preached the gospels, sparked Chiau’s curiosity about faith, leading him to attend church and engage in self-reflection.
Chiau Haw Choon’s time in Singapore marked the beginning of his educational journey. Feeling the need to catch up with his peers, he enrolled in an intensive language course and was soon accepted into Secondary One at the age of 17, despite his classmates being much younger. This period was challenging; he was often teased for being the oldest student in the school. “I still couldn’t get used to it during the first year and skipped school often,” he says. But a moment of introspection led him to persevere. “You’ve already started Secondary One, you might as well finish it. You need to.”
Education and Return
Upon completing high school, Chiau pursued higher education in Melbourne, studying finance and marketing. However, his father’s illness forced him to return to Malaysia at 22, where he found the family business struggling. “I didn’t expect to take over the family business. The only experience I had was being part of a gang,” Chiau Haw Choon confesses. Yet, driven by necessity and a newfound sense of responsibility, Chiau Haw Choon stepped up.
Thirteen years later, Chin Hin Group had transformed from a cement trading company into a diversified building materials conglomerate. Chiau’s strategic vision led to the expansion of the business into a one-stop building material distribution company, making it the largest in Malaysia within three years.
The Power of Questions
Chiau Haw Choon’s approach to business and life revolves around asking the right questions. “Our quality of life depends on the type of questions we ask ourselves,” he says. Reflecting on his troubled youth, he often asked himself, “Do I want to continue living like this?” This question sparked his journey towards change. Similarly, in business, he questioned the sustainability of focusing solely on cement trading. This led to diversifying into innovative building materials, solar construction, modular construction, and property development.
Under his leadership, Chin Hin Group introduced AAC products—molded lightweight concrete blocks, panels, and lintels with excellent insulation properties. These innovations allowed houses to be built faster, cheaper, and greener, driving the company’s growth and industry transformation. “With such a strong demand for our products, we now have two local plants, one in Johor and one in Kuala Lumpur. So, the fact that we transformed the industry really excites me,” says Chiau Haw Choon.
Mentorship and Giving Back
Beyond business, Chiau Haw Choon is passionate about mentoring and sharing his story. He believes in the importance of the support he received and aims to provide the same for others. “The reason is very simple. I have gone through that. I often get invitations to share my story with people, and I find it meaningful. My past, what I have gone through, can be a blessing and lesson to others.”
Reflecting on his tumultuous youth, Chiau sees it as a formative experience. “If I didn’t go through the things I did back then, I wouldn’t be so disciplined and focused on what I am doing today. I think my past wasn’t a mistake.” This perspective highlights his belief in the value of learning from mistakes and the potential for personal growth.
He was awarded the 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, breaking the 16 years’ history of EY Entrepreneur Award Malaysia as the youngest country winner at age 33.
“It really isn’t too late to make a change in life, and one should never be afraid to make a mistake,” he emphasizes. Failure, in his view, is part of the process of growth.
“The more mistakes you make and learn from, the better you can be.”
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