In his twenties, Ken Cheok embarked on a journey from Malaysia to New Zealand, fueled by a strong determination to forge a new path in life. With little more than a plane ticket and a bag of essentials, he eagerly boarded his first-ever commercial flight. Despite facing the unexpected challenge of enduring the chilly Kiwi weather in Hamilton, Ken’s optimistic spirit prevailed. Laughing off his oversight, he pressed forward, unaware that this misstep would lead him to the Sellmans—an incredible New Zealand family who embraced him as their own, forever changing the course of his life.

Ken, a young and mischievous boy, faced an uphill battle as he grew up. Education took a backseat, and his grasp of English was weak when he arrived in New Zealand. It was no surprise that adapting to his new life was a struggle. Despite it all, having been fueled by his sunny optimism and the refusal to give up, Ken persevered. He worked tirelessly during the day to cover expenses and studied at night to keep up with his education. With the support of the Sellmans, he eventually obtained a New Zealand Certificate of Engineering from Hamilton College.

A free spirit throughout his life, Ken was unafraid of stepping out of his comfort zone. He always carried a gentle and friendly persona, yet remained resilient in adversity. His patience and willingness to learn allowed him to overcome all obstacles, and he owned these traits throughout his life and career.

After Hamilton, Ken set his sights on greater heights. Using his New Zealand diploma as a stepping stone, he gained acceptance into the University of Melbourne. After four years of hard work, his efforts earned a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Electrical Engineering and a prestigious position at Ford Motor Company as a senior engineer. Milestone after milestone, he was never afraid to push forward.

Fast-forward to the 1980s, Ken was newly married and embarking on a new career. Finally back home in Malaysia, he joined the board of Menang Corporation Bhd, a developer company chaired by his older brother, Cheok Kian Yap. This milestone marked his first foray into property development and the start of his life’s true passion.

The project of Taman Rasah Jaya Township project became Ken’s  most significant undertaking in Menang. Nestled in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Ken coordinated the massive project and successfully provided homes for the ever-increasing population of his hometown. Whether in the office or on-site, he was never shy to get his hands dirty to get the job done.

As an ambitious man, Ken eagerly pursued his aspirations and sought to make his own mark in property development. In the 1980s, he saw an opportunity during the Malaysian economic downturn and was determined to provide affordable quality housing to new homebuyers. After the Rasah Jaya Project, Ken left Menang to pursue property development on his own. He opened his new office in the Rasah Jaya Township he helped build, giving birth to our company, Taman Ekar.

Ken built his company with capable and loyal staff whom he loved and respected. Together, they launched our first township project in the small seaside town of Port Dickson. The Bandar Sungala project propelled the company into the spotlight as the affordable yet quality houses drew attention of many. It was a huge success and marked the beginning of many others to follow suit. However, Ken always regarded his staff as the true prize of his endeavors. They shared his passion and stood by him through thick and thin. Most of them continue to serve the company to this very day.

In the early ’90s, after the Bandar Sungala project, Ken found that the company didn’t have enough space to keep up with the high-demand growth. Staff numbers were expanding, and new projects were underway. Desperate for an office, the Wisma Ekar building was constructed in the middle of the Taman Permata project. Standing tall and proud, Wisma Ekar serves as a solid reminder of our greatest achievements and Ken’s humble beginnings. To this day, the building remains our loyal home.

Ken was an extremely charismatic man who never had trouble finding friendships wherever he went. He was a fierce orator as much as he was a gentle conversationalist. Observant, wise, and composed, he understood the importance of respect and believed he could learn from anyone he encountered. Nevertheless, he remained a simple man at heart who was always a pleasure to talk to.

Under Ken’s leadership, the company experienced healthy expansion and embarked on numerous other township projects in different cities and states. Each project was more ambitious than the one before. In this picture, we see Ken during the launch of Bukit Permata Villa, the first luxury condominium in Seremban. He showcases the model houses to the former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, YAB Dato’ Seri Utama Tan Sri Hj Mohd Isa Bin Dato Hj Abdul Samad.

One of Ken’s greatest joys was seeing the smiles on others’ faces. His passion for property development allowed him to do just that. In this picture, we had him cutting the ribbon to the showhouse at the official launch of the Panchor Jaya project. Ken was extremely proud of his company’s achievements and milestones. With every launch, he was always at the forefront, eager to show the public what new things he had in store.

Here, we see Ken giving a tour of the houses at Phase 3 Bandar Ekar Rantau during its official launch. Ken participated in every design aspect of each house he built, from the floor plans and layouts to the exterior architecture. No task was too great for him, and his tendency to think outside the box led to exceptional ideas that made the Ekar difference. It was this difference that made Taman Ekar extraordinary.

Ken was always a visionary with a clear sense of his goals and ambitions. He never backed down from anything he saw purpose in. Ken would always find a way out, no matter how challenging the road ahead was. He was a man who truly believed that nothing is impossible, and his strength drew the respect of many. He never stopped fighting throughout his life.

Coming from an underprivileged background, Ken personally understood the importance of making a positive change in his own community. He was a generous philanthropist who donated as much as he could. Throughout the years, Ken donated a significant portion of his earnings to schools, scholarships, temples, and many more. Rain or shine, he never hesitated to share or missed an opportunity to give.

Ken’s 20 years of leadership did not come easy. Taman Ekar went through economic downturns, financial difficulties, and fierce competition. However, Ken powered on relentlessly and steered his company through tough times. He worked closely with local governments to develop a total of five townships. These projects provided homes to the masses, fostered organic communities, and brought many economic benefits to the area. He was a property development pioneer, bringing many firsts to his home state and building schools, commercial structures, and places of worship in those communities to realize his vision of self-sustainable living for all. Recognizing his efforts, Dato Ken received his Datukship from the Paduka Seri Tuanku Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan.

Despite his accomplishments over the years, Dato Ken was a grateful man who never forgot his roots. He remembered every act of kindness,  regardless of significance, and always sought to repay in kind. Here, we see him reuniting with the Sellmans back in New Zealand. Dato Ken always had a soft spot for New Zealand, and would visit the Sellmans whenever he had a chance. They held an important place in his heart, and he continued close contact with them throughout his life.

Dato Ken Cheok passed away in 2014, surrounded by his entire family. Despite his departure, his spirit continues to live on in the hallways of Taman Ekar. His optimism keeps our heads held high in the face of adversity. His resilience propels us forward without him. His vigor keeps us vigilant in an ever-changing environment. His generosity drives us to bring smiles to people’s faces.. And lastly, his passion for property development is why we continue to do what we do—to make homes, not just houses. At Taman Ekar, Dato Ken taught us to give our best no matter the task since there is no such thing as an easy gain without pain. Whenever a task arises, we will always say, “We Ken.”