Rimbunan Hijau
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Malaysian multinational conglomerate with major interests in forestry, timber processing, oil palm, media, information technology, telecommunications-related services, and hospitality.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Rimbunan Hijau is a Malaysian diversified business group founded in 1975 by businessman Tiong Hiew King. Although it is commonly associated with logging and timber, the group has developed a broader portfolio spanning forestry, downstream wood processing, oil palm cultivation and milling, media, information and communications technology, optical-fibre manufacturing, electronics-related activities, and hospitality. Its operations and investments have extended beyond Malaysia into Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Russia, and Singapore. Forestry has historically been the group's most prominent activity. In Malaysia, related businesses have included timber harvesting, sawmilling, plywood, veneer, sawn timber, laminated board, and plantation operations. Jaya Tiasa Holdings began as a downstream wood-processing business in Sarawak in 1983 and later diversified into oil palm, opening its first crude palm-oil mill in 2009. Subur Tiasa Holdings, established in 1988 by Tiong Hiew King, was initially involved in plywood and veneer before expanding into other timber products. Rimbunan Sawit Berhad has operated oil-palm plantations and acquired palm-oil mills in Sarawak. The group established a substantial presence in Papua New Guinea through Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Limited, founded in 1988. It became one of the country's largest logging operators and operates a major sawmill. Through associated media interests, it also owns The National, one of Papua New Guinea's major newspapers. In Equatorial Guinea, the subsidiary Shimmer International has been described as a dominant participant in the logging sector. Rimbunan Hijau Far East Company Limited, established in Russia in 1997, has been involved in timber harvesting and processing, with timber exports directed largely toward Asian markets. Rimbunan Hijau has also pursued technology and communications businesses. In 1995, it acquired COMSERV (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which provided information-technology network infrastructure and systems-integration services, including work connected with the Sarawak government. The business was associated with IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle-related distribution or integration activities. Another group company, Optical Communications Engineering Sdn Bhd, has manufactured and supplied optical-fibre products. In Singapore, a group subsidiary acquired Tri-M Technologies in 1997; the company was later renamed RH Petrogas Limited in 2009. The group's expansion has attracted sustained scrutiny from environmental and human-rights organizations. Critics have alleged that some of its logging activities have contributed to deforestation, affected Indigenous communities, and benefited from political relationships. Greenpeace and the Rainforest Action Network have investigated or protested the company's activities, particularly in Papua New Guinea. Rimbunan Hijau challenged Greenpeace over a critical report and threatened defamation proceedings, while Greenpeace did not withdraw the report. Citibank subsequently stated, following a review of its environmental policies, that future financing requirements for the group's Papua New Guinea operations would include credible independent third-party certification. The company remains a privately associated Malaysian business group with an international operating footprint, although detailed current ownership, financial, and management information is not established by the supplied sources.
History
Rimbunan Hijau was established in Malaysia in 1975 by Tiong Hiew King. The group developed from a Malaysian natural-resources base and became associated particularly with forestry, logging, and wood processing. Over time, its business structure expanded through subsidiaries and affiliated companies rather than through a single consumer-facing product brand. The group's Malaysian forestry and processing interests included several Sarawak-based businesses. Jaya Tiasa Holdings began downstream wood processing at Tanjong Ensurai, Sibu, in 1983 and had expanded to five wood-processing mills by 1994. In 2002, Jaya Tiasa entered the oil-palm business and opened its first crude palm-oil mill in 2009. Subur Tiasa Holdings was founded in 1988 with initial paid-up capital of RM125.7 million and began with plywood and veneer before adding sawn timber and laminated-board production. Rimbunan Sawit Berhad later operated oil-palm plantations in several Sarawak locations and acquired three palm-oil mills between 2015 and 2017. International expansion became an important feature of the group. Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Limited was established in Papua New Guinea in 1988. The company became the country's largest or one of its largest logging operators and ran a major sawmill. The group also developed a media presence through ownership of The National, one of Papua New Guinea's principal newspapers. In Equatorial Guinea, its subsidiary Shimmer International became a leading logging-sector participant. The group established Rimbunan Hijau Far East Company Limited in Russia in 1997 for timber harvesting and processing, with much of the resulting timber exported to China, Japan, and South Korea. Its wider international footprint has included Indonesia, Gabon, Vanuatu, and New Zealand. Rimbunan Hijau diversified beyond land-based resources during the 1990s and 2000s. In 1995, it acquired COMSERV (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, an information-technology company involved in network infrastructure and systems integration. The business became associated with IBM mid-range computer sales and distribution, Microsoft provider activities, Oracle systems integration, and IBM systems partnerships. The group also operated Optical Communications Engineering Sdn Bhd in Peninsular Malaysia, manufacturing and supplying optical-fibre products. The group entered Singapore's electronics-related sector in 1997 when Woodsville Private Limited acquired Tri-M Technologies, an electronics contract-manufacturing company. Woodsville was held through Surreyville Pte Ltd, an investment company associated with Rimbunan Hijau. In 2009, Tri-M was renamed RH Petrogas Limited. These activities illustrate the group's recurring strategy of holding resource businesses alongside media, technology, manufacturing, and investment assets. Rimbunan Hijau's expansion has also generated major controversy. Environmental and humanitarian organizations have accused the company of contributing to forest degradation, disregarding Indigenous rights, and operating within politically connected environments. A World Bank estimate cited in discussions of Papua New Guinea's forestry sector suggested that as much as 70 percent of logging in the country could be illegal, intensifying criticism of large operators. Greenpeace and the Rainforest Action Network investigated and protested the group's activities. Greenpeace's critical report prompted a threatened defamation action from Rimbunan Hijau; Greenpeace did not withdraw the report. In 2005, Citibank said that its revised environmental policies would require credible independent third-party certification for future dealings with the group's Papua New Guinea operations. The supplied reference material does not establish a complete current corporate structure, present-day executive roster, official website, or verified contemporary financial profile. Rimbunan Hijau is therefore best described as an active, internationally oriented Malaysian business group whose historical identity rests on forestry and timber, supplemented by plantations, media, information technology, and related investments.
- 2015
Rimbunan Sawit began a mill-acquisition program
[1]Rimbunan Sawit Berhad acquired palm-oil mills in Sarawak during the 2015–2017 period.
- 2009
First Jaya Tiasa crude palm-oil mill opened
[1]Jaya Tiasa opened its first crude palm-oil mill.
- 2009
Tri-M Technologies renamed RH Petrogas
[1]The Singapore-linked company changed its name to RH Petrogas Limited.
- 2005
Environmental certification requirements became a financing issue
[1]Citibank said future dealings with the group's Papua New Guinea operations would require credible independent third-party certification.
- 2002
Jaya Tiasa diversified into oil palm
[1]Jaya Tiasa Holdings expanded from downstream timber into oil-palm operations.
- 1997
Russian timber subsidiary established
[1]Rimbunan Hijau Far East Company Limited was established in Russia for timber harvesting and processing.
- 1997
Singapore electronics investment
[1]Woodsville Private Limited acquired Tri-M Technologies, an electronics contract manufacturer in Singapore.
- 1995
Expansion into information technology
[1]Rimbunan Hijau acquired COMSERV (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd for network infrastructure and systems-integration activities.
- 1988
Papua New Guinea operation established
[1]Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Limited was established, supporting the group's later expansion in the country's logging sector.
- 1988
Subur Tiasa Holdings founded
[1]The timber-processing company was founded by Tiong Hiew King.
Products and positioning
A privately associated Malaysian multinational conglomerate built around forestry and natural-resource businesses, with diversification into plantations, media, technology, and hospitality.
Forestry and wood processing · 1975
Forestry and timber products
The group's traditional core includes timber harvesting and processing. Associated businesses have produced logs, sawn timber, plywood, veneer, and laminated board, with operations extending from Malaysia into several overseas markets. The business model has included both upstream forest activity and downstream mills that convert timber into commercial wood products.
Agriculture and palm oil · 2002
Oil-palm operations
Rimbunan Hijau's plantation-related interests include oil-palm estates and crude palm-oil milling. Jaya Tiasa diversified into oil palm in 2002 and opened a crude palm-oil mill in 2009, while Rimbunan Sawit Berhad has operated plantations and acquired mills in Sarawak.
Media and newspaper publishing
The National
The National is a major Papua New Guinean newspaper associated with Rimbunan Hijau's media interests. Its ownership gives the group a significant presence in the country's newspaper market in addition to its resource-sector operations.
Information technology · 1995
Information-technology services
Through COMSERV (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, the group has provided IT network infrastructure and systems-integration services. The business has been associated with IBM computer distribution, Microsoft provider activities, Oracle integration, and IBM systems partnerships.
Telecommunications equipment
Optical-fibre products
Optical Communications Engineering Sdn Bhd has manufactured and supplied optical-fibre products in Peninsular Malaysia, representing the group's involvement in communications-related manufacturing.
Electronics manufacturing · 1997
Electronics contract manufacturing
Through the Singapore investment in Tri-M Technologies, later renamed RH Petrogas Limited, the group participated in electronics contract manufacturing and related investment activities.
Hospitality
Hospitality
Hospitality is identified among the group's business activities, but the supplied sources do not provide enough detail to describe specific properties, brands, or services.
Controversies
Environmental and Indigenous-rights criticism
Environmental and humanitarian organizations have criticized Rimbunan Hijau over alleged deforestation, impacts on Indigenous communities, human-rights concerns, and politically connected logging activity, particularly in Papua New Guinea and Equatorial Guinea.
Greenpeace report and threatened defamation action
Greenpeace published a report alleging forest-related wrongdoing and political patronage involving the group. Rimbunan Hijau threatened to sue for defamation and sought withdrawal of the report; Greenpeace declined to withdraw it.
Brand decisions
2009
Tri-M Technologies changed its name to RH PetrogasOtherBackground
Tri-M Technologies had been acquired in Singapore by a subsidiary structure associated with Rimbunan Hijau.
Action taken
The company was renamed RH Petrogas Limited.
Aftermath
The name change reflected its connection with the wider Rimbunan Hijau investment group.
2002
Jaya Tiasa diversified into oil palmStrategyBackground
The group's associated timber-processing business sought to broaden its activities beyond wood products.
Action taken
Jaya Tiasa Holdings entered oil-palm cultivation and processing.
Aftermath
The business later opened its first crude palm-oil mill in 2009.
Sources1 sources
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