An inside investigation into the Teoh family

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topsecret

blog Ever wondered who actually runs top-tier Australian telco TPG? So have we. Your writer has been reporting on Australia’s telecommunications industry for almost a decade now and I’ve never met or spoken to reclusive TPG chief executive David Teoh, despite the fact that the executive runs one of Australia’s largest telcos and has a habit of buying others. Interestingly enough, a Business Review Weekly investigation has found that the Teoh family as a whole actually runs several dozen businesses. We recommend you click here for the full article. A sample paragraph:

“David Teoh jumps into his silver Lexus covering his face with a hat. He hits the gas and accidentally clips our photographer Nic Walker who tumbles to the ground. Teoh stops, asks Walker if he is OK, and on the condition the camera stays down he lowers his hat and explains he wants people to respect his privacy.”

I don’t have a problem with people wanting their own privacy, and there’s certainly no suggestion that David Teoh and his family have broken any laws. But I do feel that there’s a difference between the chief executive of a listed company wanting privacy and an individual without much in the way of material wealth or responsibilities wanting privacy. I’d like to see Teoh become more of a public figure, if possible. If only because it would make it easier to hold the executive and his powerful group of companies to account. But then, Teoh’s approach is also a challenge to journalists: Do some investigation and find out the truth. Kudos to BRW for doing so.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Leave the poor guy alone. Can’t people get filthy rich in obscurity anymore? Go chase after the Hiltons and Kardashians of this world who’re actually after celebrity and fame. Also, high profile Asians are probably at greater risk of being targeted by [Asian triad] kidnappers than your average super rich. Just sayin’.

    • The psychology of Internet discussions is so interesting – I just realised I read your comment with the conscious decision prior to reading it that I was predisposed to assuming the opposite of anything you had written, due to other comments you have made on here in recent weeks. I pulled myself up once I realised my thought process, but it turns out my assumption wasn’t too far off the mark after all ;-)

  2. “If only because it would make it easier to hold the executive and his powerful group of companies to account.”

    Hold them to account?
    For what?
    For you not getting an interview?

  3. You don’t sound very inquisitive, Chris.

    There is a big difference between inquiring into the affairs of ordinary people, and those in positions of power and responsibility who make decisions that affect a lot of people. Most (admittedly not all) people I know in media weigh up these questions before embarking on an intrusive story.

    Ben Hurley

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