Sim Wong Hoo, Creative Technology founder and CEO, dies aged 67
By Sandy Pramuji
SINGAPORE – The chairman and chief executive of Creative Technology, Sim Wong Hoo, has died, aged 67. He passed away on Wednesday (4 January).
In a statement, the company announced that Sim, arguably Singapore's most famous tech entrepreneur, "passed away peacefully". No further details were given.
"On behalf of all staff of the Company, the Board expresses its deepest sorrow over the death of Mr Sim and conveys its condolences to his family," the company said in a filling with the Singapore Exchange on Thursday.
Also read: 'Don't get married': Creative's Sim Wong Hoo advises budding entrepreneurs
Also read: Razer wins lawsuit against Capgemini, awarded US$6.5 million in damages
Also read: I see myself as a 'servant leader': DPM Lawrence Wong at Forbes conference
Sim founded Creative Technology in 1981 and has been its chairman and chief executive since inception. The company became famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards, which was launched in 1989. It had sold 400 million units as of 2019, according to The Straits Times.
Following Sim's passing, the board of Creative has, for a transition period, appointed lead independent non-executive director Lee Kheng Nam as acting chairman, and Ng Kai Wa, its independent non-executive director as acting vice-chairman.
The board has also appointed Song Siow Hui, the president of the company's Creative Labs Business Unit as its interim CEO.
"I have known and worked with Mr Sim for over 30 years. This is a sad and sudden development and we feel a great loss especially since Mr Sim and I recently had extensive discussions on the future direction of the company," said Song.
"The best thing to do now is to ensure the continued smooth running of the company, and also to execute and realise the vision and strategy that Mr Sim had for the company."
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
