Malaysia’s Genting dynasty gripped by $522 million inheritance battle

Malaysia's prominent Genting dynasty is embroiled in a S$521 million inheritance battle over Lim Siew Kim's estate, sparking a legal challenge. Read more at straitstimes.com.

KUALA LUMPUR – More than RM1.6 billion (S$522 million) is at stake in a family dispute that has drawn fresh attention to one of Malaysia’s best-known business dynasties.

At the centre is the estate of Ms Lim Siew Kim, the youngest daughter of late Genting patriarch Lim Goh Tong. Under her final will, two of her daughters – Chan T’shiao Li, 48, and Kimberley Chan, 45 – were left RM900,000 and RM100,000, respectively. These are modest sums relative to the size of the estate.

They have filed suit to nullify their mother’s final will, alleging it was executed under “fraudulent and suspicious circumstances”.

The civil action, filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, names their brother Marcus Chan as a defendant alongside the estate’s executors, Malcolm Fernandez and Chan Mei Yee.

Lawyer Low Beng Choo has also joined the proceedings as a defendant (intervenor) to address allegations surrounding the drafting of the will, a New Straits Times report indicated. The trial opened on Feb 23.

At stake is not only a substantial inheritance, but also the reputation of the Genting founder’s family and the relationships within.