CDL deputy chairman Kwek Leng Joo passes away at 62

City Developments Limited (CDL) deputy chairman and executive director Kwek Leng Joo, 62, passed away in his sleep early Monday morning "as a result of a sudden heart attack", the listed Singapore property developer said.

"Mr Kwek's leadership, invaluable contribution and presence will be greatly missed by the Board, management and employees of the CDL Group," the company's board of directors said in a disclosure to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) after trading hours Monday.

A director of CDL since 1980, Kwek assumed the position of deputy managing director in 1987 and held the role of managing director from 1998 until his appointment as deputy chairman last year.

CDL said that Kwek was a dedicated advocate of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a leading green building champion who raised the bar of Singapore's real estate industry.

"His pioneering green efforts for over 20 years have helped put CDL and Singapore on the global map of sustainability," it noted.

Kwek was also an executive director of City e-Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of CDL listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, a non-executive director of Singapore-listed Hong Leong Finance Limited and a director of CDL holding company Hong Leong Investment Holdings Private Limited.