PETALING JAYA: IOI Group founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng has died at the age of 79.

Sin Chew Daily reported that the business magnate died around 8.30pm Saturday (June 1), two days before his 80th birthday.

"Lee was a tycoon who built himself from scratch. Came from a poor family, he quit school at 11-years-old to work and help the family.

"He used to sell ice-cream on a bicycle for four years. He had also worked as a petrol station attendant and plantation general worker," said the daily.

In March, Lee's youngest son, IOI Properties Group Bhd chief executive officer Lee Yeow Seng tied the knot with Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin.