Nippon Paint tycoon remembered as boss who cared for his staff

Mr Goh Cheng Liang, the richest Singaporean on Forbes' 2025 list of global billionaires, was fondly remembered by close associates and employees for being a hard-working and caring boss.

- Timothy Goh

The founder of paint and coatings company Wuthelam Group died on the morning of Aug 12 at the age of 98 from prostate cancer, which he had lived with for 31 years.

Mr Goh held a majority stake in Japan's Nippon Paint Holdings and had an estimated net worth of US$13 billion (S$16.7 billion), according to Forbes.

At his wake at The Garden of Remembrance, a Christian columbarium in Choa Chu Kang, those who were close to Mr Goh told The Straits Times that the paint tycoon often stressed the importance of hard work and frugality to his employees.

He was also known for remembering personal details about them, including the well-being of their children.

Mr Ong Chin Han, a sales manager at Nippon Paint Singapore, said that when Mr Goh used to visit the firm's factory in Jurong, he would arrive at lunchtime and encourage employees to take their break, rather than ask about their work progress.

"Mr Goh took the effort to deeply understand his employees," said Mr Ong, who has been with the company for more than 37 years.