About Me
About Dr. Khoo Boo Khean
Dr. Khoo Boo Khean is a distinguished chartered land surveyor, entrepreneur, educator, and humanitarian whose journey from humble beginnings to national prominence serves as a powerful testament to perseverance and purpose. Born in Khoo Kongsi, Penang, and raised during the Japanese occupation, he began his career working in the fields as a young surveyor. Armed with determination and backed by a Federal Government scholarship, he earned his qualifications in Land Surveying in Kuala Lumpur and later in London, becoming a Chartered Surveyor in 1964. His early international experience with Hunting Surveys in the UK, Nigeria, and Libya gave him the global perspective that would later shape his visionary approach to land development.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Dr. Khoo dedicated himself to education, training hundreds of future surveyors and planners as a lecturer at Technical College and the MARA Institute of Technology. In 1974, he founded Jurukur Perunding Services Sdn. Bhd., a land surveying firm that would go on to become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s infrastructure growth. Under his leadership, the company contributed to monumental national projects including the Penang Bridges, North-South Highway, KLIA, MRT, and GIS-based urban planning systems. His pioneering efforts in geospatial technology, hydrography, and aerial mapping transformed how Malaysia approached infrastructure and urban development.
Dr. Khoo’s influence extends far beyond engineering. He was instrumental in shaping national policy, particularly through his advocacy for the Strata Titles Act 1985, which gave apartment and condominium residents property rights and access to financing. He founded PEJUTA, the professional body aligning licensed land surveyors, and later the ASEAN Federation of Land Surveying and Geomatics (ASEAN FLAG) to foster regional collaboration. As President of the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia and District Governor of Rotary Club District 3300, Dr. Khoo merged his technical expertise with a deep commitment to civic, educational, and humanitarian causes.
His environmental advocacy is exemplified through his leadership in the Friends of Bukit Gasing, an NGO preserving green spaces in urban Malaysia, and his lifelong support for underprivileged students, whom he personally funded through school and university. Among many honors, Dr. Khoo received the AMN (1994) and KMN (1997) awards from the King of Malaysia, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia in 2001.
A deeply personal expression of his life journey is captured in his memoir series, “The Kampung Boy”. Through these heartfelt reflections, Dr. Khoo shares stories from his childhood in Penang, the struggles of post-war Malaysia, and the path he carved to become a national figure. More than a biography, the series is an inspiring message to future generations—demonstrating that with resilience, integrity, and vision, one can rise above any circumstance to build a life of purpose and impact.
Now in his 80s, Dr. Khoo continues to inspire through both his written words and enduring legacy. His story is a living reminder that true success lies not just in professional achievements, but in how one uplifts others and contributes meaningfully to society.
Now in his 80s, Dr. Khoo continues to inspire through both his written words and enduring legacy. His story is a living reminder that true success lies not just in professional achievements, but in how one uplifts others and contributes meaningfully to society.