By NT
KOTA KINABALU: Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Sdn Bhd (KTC), a leading corporation in East Malaysia and a Main Board Public Listed Company on Bursa Malaysia, is witnessing ongoing
aggressive expansion throughout its operations.
Central to KTC’s swift rise is its CEO, Datuk Dexter Lau, a top businessman not only in Sabah but throughout East Malaysia and potentially in Malaysia.
Recognised as one of the most successful trading firms in Sabah and throughout East Malaysia, KTC—often referred to as Sabah’s “Crown Jewel” by the grassroots of the rakyat in Sabah or even in Sarawak—remains a key contributor to the region’s economic development, especially in terms of growth and contribution to the people.
Under Datuk Dexter Lau’s leadership, KTC, a growing corporate in Malaysia, has flourished over its 26-year legacy, evolving from its inception to a prominent entity.
His strong entreprenerial and leadership is evident, showcasing results rather than mere talk or media hype, leading to the substantial size and impact the company has today.
The friendly and accessible entrepreneur, Datuk Dexter Lau, has effectively transformed the company into a profitable and consistently thriving business.
With such an aggressive move, there is no doubt that the company’s financial management has managed to generate healthy cash flow and a more than healthy gearing ratio of not exceeding 0.7 with many ongoing projects and development and growth, truly not due to banking financing but a healthy cash generation from its operations.
Dexter has been recognized by the elite sector of Malaysia in various occasions. He made itto Tatler’s Top 300 successful figures of Malaysia in 2018 while also being listed as a member of Gen T of Tatler (a recognition of the accomplishment achieved by the rising new generation).
The following year, he was featured by Prestige Magazine as one of the Top 40 outstanding individuals who were underage of 40. Tatler Malaysia subsequently classified Dexter as one of “Asia’s Most Influential”.
Based in Sabah, consumer packaged goods distributor Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Bhd aims to increase its revenue by more than 50% over the next three years,
supported by expanded operational capacity and a wider regional presence.
By 2021, the company reached RM1 billion in annual revenue—a 30-fold increase since 2003—and grew its workforce to 1,300 employees.
Clearly, KTC has evolved into a leading market access provider across East Malaysia and Borneo, and potentially in Malaysia)
The company’s strong growth is reflected in its annual revenue surpassing RM1 billion and an employee base exceeding 1,300.
KTC now aims to raise its annual revenue to RM2 billion from RM1.1 billion in the latest financial year. KTC managed to close 1.2 billion in revenue last financial year and now forecasts to grow to 1.3 billion at least in the coming financial year.
KTC is a dependable conglomerate known for delivering strong results and consistent performance.
No wonder KTC has become the most “preferred” conglomerate company, particularly in East Malaysia.
It’s no surprise that the company, especially its CEO Datuk Dexter Lau, enjoys widespread respect and admiration from the business community as well as the people of Sabah.
Indeed, KTC has been continuously growing and expanding at a remarkable pace.
Given its trajectory, even without an official ranking system for companies, KTC would likely rank among the top firms by now.
On leadership and business expansion at KTC, Datuk Dexter Lau was promoted to Vice President in 2009, where he focused on improving operational efficiency and initiating early digital enhancements.
In 2014, the lawyer-turned-businessman was appointed as Non-Independent Executive Director of KTC Consolidated Berhad.
The next year, the 47-year-old executive played a key role in KTC’s successful listing on the Bursa Malaysia ACE Market, marking it as the first wholesale and distribution company from Sabah and Sarawak to go public.
Last year, KTC contributed to the development of a RM150 million industrial park at KKIP, followed by an additional commitment this year to invest RM30 million in Sarawak over the next two years.
In May, work started on the RM150 million KTC Industrial Park at KKIP, a key component of a larger RM180 million expansion initiative. The project was officially launched jointly by the company’s chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Zuki Mohd Ali.
The new facility spans 15 acres and is expected to be completed by late 2027, approximately 18 months after groundbreaking.
Two months later, KTC announced a RM30 million joint venture with Sanjung Etika Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak, to establish Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd ) in Sarawak, which is projected to generate around 500 jobs.
Today, through its subsidiary Gardenia Bakeries (East Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, KTC holds full licensing and trademark rights to manufacture and distribute Gardenia products across those regions.
KTC is anticipated to move into the Indochina region in the near future as part of its expansion strategy.
The Indochina region includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Provided plans unfold on schedule, KTC intends to invest in the area by drawing on manufacturing and export capabilities from East Malaysia.
This approach will allow its personnel to build expertise by integrating with current operational frameworks.
Credible sources indicate that KTC aims to launch activities this October by establishing a business presence or setting up a factory in one of the capital cities within the region, with broader regional growth expected to follow.
The company has stated it remains confident the project will progress as intended over the coming months.
While specific figures have not been disclosed, initial investment for the initiative is estimated to fall between RM20 million and RM30 million.
His appointment as Chairman of the Malaysia–Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) East Malaysia in May 2026 has helped KTC gain better access to the Indochina market.
The market trends and consumer demand, particularly for food products in Indochina, is believed to be closely resemble those in Sabah, which gives KTC a distinct advantage when expanding into that region.
His leadership at KTC has been widely recognized, earning praise from various quarters.
In 2010, he became a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO), marking an early milestone in his leadership journey.
In October 2021, he was honored with the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) award by the Governor of Sabah, which conferred upon him the title of Datuk.
In the realm of trade and public leadership, Datuk Dexter Lau was elected Vice President of the Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah Chapter in 2019.
By 2022, he advanced to become a National Council Member of MCCC Malaysia, and in 2025, assumed the presidency of MCCC Sabah for a term spanning 2025 to 2028.
His leadership prominence was further highlighted when he delivered the keynote address at the 15th Malaysia–China Entrepreneurs Conference in Guiyang, China in August 2025.
In 2025, he joined the Executive Committee of the Federation of Malaysian Public Listed Companies (FPLC) and was appointed Honorary Advisor to the Malaysia Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association.
In April 2026, he attended the 2026 Visit Malaysia Year Gala in Guangzhou as a VIP guest and speaker.
That same month, he was invited as a distinguished guest to the “2026 Visit Malaysia Year Gala Dinner” hosted by MayCham China Guangdong Chapter, underscoring his standing in bilateral business circles.
On the community front, Datuk Dexter Lau has played a key role in driving corporate social responsibility initiatives, notably the distribution of school uniforms as well as launching the statewide Ramadan Iftar Tour & Raya Shopping programme in 2024.
The state government actually gave KTC the chance to improve the quality of children’s school uniforms—a problem that had remained unresolved for five decades.
It was only after KTC became involved that these persistent quality concerns were properly tackled.
During Iftar, KTC recognized its responsibility to give back to communities across 73 state constituencies. Regardless of whether local representatives belong to the ruling or opposition parties, KTC remains committed to supporting the people who have stood by the company.
In partnership with UPPM Sabah, this initiative supported orphanages, low-income households, and flood victims across all parliamentary or state constituencies in Sabah in 2024 and 2025.
Undoubtedly, Datuk Dexter Lau has played a pivotal role in KTC’s expansion, steering it from a Sabah-based business concentrated on wholesale and trading to one with operations spanning Sarawak, Brunei, Peninsular Malaysia, and Indonesia, and coming soon in Indochina.
