PUTRAJAYA: My father died peacefully on Saturday after a year of illness. My siblings and I will carry on our father's legacy, be it in business or charitable concerns, said IOI Corp Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Lee Yeow Chor.
The-late Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng was patron and advisor of many Chinese clan community and business associations in Malaysia.
Over the last 20 years, Shin Cheng led the redevelopment of the 111-year old Kuen Cheng Secondary School as the chairman of its board of directors.
Today, the iconic school had gone through five phases of upgrade and expansion to accommodate more students. “For the last 15 years, my father led the school’s redevelopment until it became one of the best Independent Chinese Schools in the country.”
“Our family has been involved in philanthropic activities for many years. We do share his passion for education and social welfare of the communities we live in. We intend to carry on as he did,” Yeow Chor said.
His father's charitable contributions include Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng which funded the development of SJK (C) Shin Cheng (Harcroft) in Puchong, Selangor, besides other welfare activities.
Yeow Chor recounted on another occasion how his father chose to join in an ordinary tour excursion to Hokkaido, Japan, at the end of 2016.
“The tour was organised by Apple Vacation, whose chairman Datuk Seri Lee Ee Hoe expressed shock as my father did not choose a private exclusive tour.
“He was even more stunned to discover how down-to-earth my father was with the other tour group members, ensuring everyone was taken care of,” he said.
Yeow Chor shared how his father had sang his favourite songs in the tour bus to entertain other travellers when the long bus journey proved to be boring, at times. “His ability to be in touch with the people around him was the zest he has for life."
The 79 year-old Shin Cheng, who will be buried this Thursday, has left behind his wife, six children and 12 grandchildren.
When asked if his father had, before his death, uttered parting words to him, Yeow Chor there were too many instances to recall. “His advice to us is a family matter. But some of his words I will keep in my heart and cherish them throughout my life.”
To another query if his father had conveyed salient messages to be shared with investors of the two listed entities of IOI Group, Yeow Chor said he will do so at the companies' annual general meetings.
Yeow Chor's elder sister Yoke Har and younger brother Yeow Seng are board members of IOI Properties Group Bhd.
Despite a heavy downpour which began at 12.30noon, well-wishers, mourners and media practitioners were not discouraged as they made their way to Shin Cheng's residence to pay their last respects.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, led a delegation of party members, including former president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, former vice president Tan Sri Fong Chan Onn and former Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun to convey their condolences to Puan Sri Hoong May Kuan, the wife of Shin Cheng.
“Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng was not only a corporate icon but he is also known for his vast knowledge in oil palm plantations,” Wee said.
The political leader went on to shed light on the late entrepreneur’s firm belief in education, citing an example which took place some 16 years ago when Wee was then deputy education minister.
“At that time, SJK (C) Ladang Harcroft in Perak was looking for a new place to move. Tan Sri Lee donated a piece of land and contributed to its construction.
“Not only that, when the school could not handle larger number of students, he also paid for construction of more classrooms and facilities,” Wee said, adding the school had since renamed itself to SJK (C) Sin Cheng when it relocated to Selangor from Ayer Tawar in Perak.