Facebook Pixel The rise of Causeway Link founder — from car salesman to Malaysia's 50 richest list | The Straits Times - newspaper - Read this story on Magzter.com
Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

The rise of Causeway Link founder — from car salesman to Malaysia's 50 richest list

The Straits Times

|

June 03, 2025

He once found it hard to land a job, but went on to run three listed companies

- Cheong Poh Kwan

The rise of Causeway Link founder — from car salesman to Malaysia's 50 richest list

Before he made it to Forbes Malaysia's 50 richest list, Mr Lim Han Weng — the founder behind the Causeway Link buses that ferry thousands of cross-border commuters daily — was once a young man with a simple dream: landing a stable job.

Born in Kedah, he graduated with a Higher School Certificate but figured his results were not good enough for university.

So he started applying for any job he could find listed in the local classifieds, including an air steward role with Malaysia Airlines.

Rejection letters dashed his hopes of getting an office job or a jet-setting career.

"Every time I'm on an airplane, I'm reminded of this," the 73-year-old laughed when recounting his challenging job hunt in an interview with The Straits Times in his Kranji Green office.

Eventually, he became a car salesman for Wearne Brothers, earning a basic salary of just RM250.

His monthly target was to sell two cars — no easy feat in a small town where the big, expensive Jaguar, Holden and Opel models he sold were less popular than Japanese cars. Still, he met his target and appreciated the sales training.

Next, he joined Lori Malaysia, a semi-government-owned logistics company, where he was posted to different parts of the country.

When he arrived at the Johor branch, a driver commented that this was the best place to make money because of its proximity to Singapore. He stayed for the next five years, and when it was time to return to the Kuala Lumpur headquarters, he chose to resign.

MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Chef Josh Niland leaves Fysh

Acclaimed Australian chef Josh Niland (right) has parted ways with his seafood-centric restaurant Fysh at The Singapore Edition hotel.

time to read

1 min

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

$3b money laundering case Jail for man linked to foreigner who fled before arrest of 10 others

A man was handed a jail sentence on Feb 25 over offences linked to a foreigner who left Singapore a day before local authorities arrested offenders involved in the $3 billion money laundering case.

time to read

3 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

Malaysian uni student arrested after posting photo of foot on Quran

A Malaysian university student in Pahang state was arrested on Feb 25 on suspicion of insulting Islam on social media after he posted a photo of his foot on a Quran, triggering condemnation.

time to read

1 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

Mexican President weighs legal action against Musk over drug cartel claims

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Feb 24 that she is considering legal action following a comment by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, that alleged she was connected to drug cartels.

time to read

2 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

'She's my best friend': Employer supported helper's English lessons and diploma studies

When Ms Ika Septia Purnamasari came to Singapore from Indonesia in 2013 for her first job as a domestic worker, she knew how to say only \"yes\" and \"no\" in English.

time to read

3 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

S'pore-based Shein does U-turn on shedding its Chinese roots

Move seen as bid to secure Beijing's support for HK listing after failed IPO bids abroad

time to read

2 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

Student care Govt committed to supporting affected families

We thank Mr Issac Lim for his feedback on student care centres (Two ways to keep student care centres accountable, Feb 17).

time to read

1 min

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

PLAY TIME

March and April usher in the heavyweight season openers of major theatre companies in Singapore, almost all eligible for SG Culture Pass credits. The Straits Times picks six shows worth your time and money

time to read

3 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

'SHARPER' YIN READY FOR HER NEXT WIN

Despite a winless 2025, former world No. 1 backs herself to return to winners' circle

time to read

3 mins

February 26, 2026

The Straits Times

Provocative play but necessary: Glen Goei

FROM C1

time to read

2 mins

February 26, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size