KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Jeff B K Lee, the Founder and Executive Chairman of JL99 Group, has long been recognized as a prominent corporate figure in Malaysia’s real estate industry, particularly in the Klang Valley. Now, he shares his inspiring life story in his first-ever biographical book, Journey to Success.
Published by Sin Chew Daily, the book chronicles his humble beginnings, struggles, and the remarkable journey that led him to become one of Malaysia’s most well-known property developers.
The book launch, held last Saturday at the JL99 Sales Gallery, was a grand affair, attended by many guests, including close friends, JL99 employees, and most notably, the company’s homebuyers, who were given the special honor of being invited to the event.
During the launch, Jeff Lee shared his emotional and heartfelt experiences, moving some attendees to tears as he recounted his difficult childhood.
“We had a large family, all crammed into a small wooden house. Talking about food and clothing was a luxury because everything was a struggle. I used to eat rice with soy sauce and water. If I wanted soup, I would just drink plain water. That was our daily routine. My father was a taxi driver, my mother was a housemaid, and we owned nothing—not a house, not a car. Higher education was never an option for us,” he recalled.
Despite being born into poverty, Jeff Lee never allowed his circumstances to define his future.
“Being born poor is not our fault, but staying poor forever is a choice,” he said.
Determined to change his fate, Jeff started working tirelessly from a young age to ease his family’s burden.
“I worked day and night. Even as a child, I was independent, earning my own pocket money. As I grew older, I took on various jobs. I became a tailor—starting with no knowledge but eventually gaining high demand for my work. That’s where I first started saving money. Later, I became a Proton car salesman. Again, I started from nothing, but soon, I was known for selling the highest number of cars. I never stopped working,” he shared.
For Jeff, poverty was never a barrier but a motivation to push forward. His perseverance eventually led him into the real estate industry, where he built the JL99 Group empire, spearheading luxury housing projects and redevelopment initiatives for the B40 community.
JL99 Group’s remarkable achievements include the redevelopment of Razak Mansion in Sungai Besi, a pioneering project that transformed an aging flat complex into a modern, mid-cost apartment community. The project received overwhelming support from all Razak Mansion residents, who now enjoy a vastly improved quality of life in their new homes.
“Razak Mansion has set a new benchmark for redevelopment projects in Malaysia,” Jeff remarked.
Since its inception in 1995, JL99 Group has navigated various market challenges, including the uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To stay competitive in an evolving industry, the company is now focusing on developing exclusive yet affordable residential projects equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Jeff Lee’s Journey to Success is not just a story of personal triumph but an inspiring testament to perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief that success is possible for anyone willing to work for it. -MalayaDailyToday
