THE KINGWOOD LEGACY: A TRADITION OF HOSPITALITY

FOUNDER

DATUK HII YII PENG

HISTORY

Born in 1936 to Chinese immigrant parents, the late Datuk Hii Yii Peng began life with humble origins. A charismatic man armed with a cheerful and sociable nature, he first sought a career in 1953 as an English school teacher at Yuan Nan Primary School. Years later, driven by a work ethic that gave him little rest, he accepted a job as a saw timber grader at a local sawmill. From here, he worked his way up, eventually becoming the Managing Director of Forescom.

During his tenure as Managing Director in the 80s, motivated both by his hospitable nature and what he saw as the lack of luxurious lodgings in Miri, the late Datuk Hii converted two shop lots into a guesthouse to host his foreign business clientele. What began as a simple act of hospitality became Rinwood Inn, the first hotel in the Kingwood chain and an iconic Mirian landmark in the 90s.
Subsequently, other properties were developed in Kuching, Sibu and Mukah to culminate in what is now known as the Kingwood Group of Hotels. The late Datuk Hii is credited with developing the first local chain of hotels in Sarawak. Following his passing in March of 2015, his descendants continue to maintain his legacy via five Kingwood properties across Sarawak.