MISC Berhad is a Malaysian global leader in energy-related maritime solutions and services, with over 50 years of experience in energy shipping, offshore, marine, and maritime training.
Malaysia International Shipping Corporation was founded in 1968 by Robert Kuok on request of the Malaysian government. Kuok, who had no experience in the business, sought the help of the Hong Kong-Chinese shipping magnate, Frank Tsao. For his help with establishing the business, Tsao was conferred the title of Tan Sri by the King of Malaysia.The company's first two ships were provided by Japan, given to the Malaysian Chinese Association as compensation for its massacre of Chinese Malaysians during World War II. The company initially had capital of 10 million ringgit, with the Kuok brothers holding 20%, Tsao 15%, and the MCA and other Chinese-Malaysian groups holding 20 to 30%. Ismail Abdul Rahman served as the company's first chairman until Kuok took over in 1969, serving until the 1980s. Eddie Shih and Tony Goh ran the day-to-day business, and the company quickly prospered after it started business in 1969.Under pressure from Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein, MISC soon enlarged its capital base from the original 100 to 140, with the extra 40 issued to the Malaysian government, which became the largest shareholder. The company went public in 1987.
