Hong Leong’s Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan is famed for buying low and then selling for a tidy profit, a skill he has mastered over the years.
Investors may recall that in 2001, he pocketed RM11.bil – the highest price ever paid for an Asian bank – when he sold his controlling stake in Dao Heng Bank of Hong Kong to Singapore’s DBS Bank.
It certainly looks like the elusive Quek is coasting on second wind at the age of 71: Hong Leong recently acquired EON Capital Bhd for RM5.06bil, a move that makes it the fourth largest bank in Malaysia.
What is in his face that tells us this “master dealmaker” still has the appetite and drive for acquisitions and opportunities?
His triangle-shaped eyes burn with Sha-qi a fire that reveals “ambitions that need to be achieved”. Such eyes reflect a person whose mind is alert. He is hardly naïve and is unlikely to be swindled in the game of business.
Quek’s most outstanding feature is the corners of his lips. This area, known as the Jin Lu (meaning Gold Point), represents the ability to persuade or influence others, be it with words or sheer physical presence.
Quek’s Jin Lu is well-defined and long, a strong sign that we are looking at a man who is adept at making deals.
On top of that, his lips are flagged. A flagged mouth is one where the middle indentation on the upper lip forms the letter ‘M’. This denotes that Quek is very skilful in negotiation and has the gift of persuasion. What he says has a big impact on others.
Watch his moves as things are about to get very interesting for the Hong Leong Group.
