The Custodian

Executive Director of Royal Selangor International Yong Yoon Li believes in keeping true to what they do best—making and preserving pewter to be relevant for the past, present, as well as future.

- Elizabeth Soong

Sitting down to a conversation with Yong Yoon Li is like bantering with an old friend. Held above the cafe in the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, our interview was punctuated with laughter as we talked about a myriad of topics. But as the fourth-generation executive director of the family-run Royal Selangor International, he is all seriousness as he takes on the mantle of keeping the flames of craftsmanship and heritage alive, along with his cousin Chen Tien Yue.

This brought up the question about each generation bringing its own change into the company and how he would like to be remembered. But Yong insists, “Because this is a family business, this is about Royal Selangor and its family of brands—Selberan and Comyns. Royal Selangor as a collective, is much bigger than me or my generation. I look at it as a steward more than like a charismatic leader, and for me my job is to make sure that we continue to bring out beautiful products with enduring design and timelessness; and as a customer, you’ll be proud to show it off in your home.”