The upbeat Gong Xi Gong Xi at one point takes on a hurried character that denotes frenzy festive shopping amidst decorations in malls and streets flowing with the colours of red, yellow and gold – a symbol of prosperity for the Chinese.
Category: People
A winter that will never be the same
Hope-turns- despair…Cold and confused, a pet dog named Pudding cuts a lone figure at the entrance to its village in Yeonggwang County, South Korea waiting for its family’s return.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Jan 4, 2025
Every approaching vehicle brings Pudding hope that quickly turns despair as they zoomed past with no sight of its loved ones.
But Pudding never give up hope to be with them again.
Just days earlier, Pudding and nine of its family members bade farewell happily before leaving for a holiday in Thailand.
Little did they know that it was their last farewell.
Pudding’s family members were among the 179 people killed in the Jeju Air Flight 2216 that crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea in the morning of December 29, 2024.
The plane, from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport with 181 on board, 175 passengers plus six crew members, saw two survivors. Both were crew members.
While Pudding is still waiting in vain for their return – the tragedy that unfolded at Muan International Airport, about 50 minutes drive from its village, also South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in the country’s history- sent shock waves across the world.
The head of Pudding’s family is a 79-year-old grandfather.
He, his wife , two daughters, a son-in-law and four grandchildren were among the 179 fatalities .
Where are you…Pudding longing for its family.
On new year’s eve, South Korea’s animal rescue group , Care (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth ) posted on social media that they have rescued Pudding who is now under their custody until they found a home for him.
According to Care, they have received permission from a family member to rescue Pudding found wandering alone in the open amidst harsh weather conditions.
Care has sent Pudding for health checks at a veterinary hospital in Seoul.
The story of Pudding was reported in The Korea Times on Jan 2, 2025, followed by some media organizations all over the world.
Photos :The Korea Times captured from Care’s Instagram.
Update: Jan 7, 2025
Photos at the memorial : The Korea Times. Credited to Yonhap
A picture is worth a thousand words.
On Sunday (Jan 5, 2025) afternoon, a week after the crash, Pudding pay its last respects to its family members at a joint memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall in Seoul, reported The Korea Times on Jan 6, 2025.
Clad in a blue outfit and with its gaze fixed on the altar, Pudding did not bark even once throughout the service.
Its attention zoomed in on its family’s memorial tablet as head of Care, Kim Young-Hwan, read a eulogy.
The Korea Times report quoting a temporary caretaker from Care said: “At home, Pudding often looks at the front door, seemingly listless. The dog gets excited just hearing the leash, wanting to go outside.”
When genius and passion meet
Celebrate the power of music…International concert pianist Lee Jae Phang delivered a series of high-profile performances in Cambodia recently. The Grand Opening of the First Edition of the European Music Cultures Festival (Nov 1 – 3, 2024) saw him sharing the stage with violinist Dino Akira Decena and cellist Steven Retallick, performing piano trios to a full house. At the festival’s Grand Finale , Lee Jae who performed a solo piano recital was honoured with a very rare standing ovation – a testament to the festival’ s success.
Photos: Courtesy of Lee Jae Phang
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com.
Nov 14, 2024
Held at the luxurious Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, the festival was attended by local audiences as well as ambassadors, dignitaries, and invited guests.
Present at the event were the EU Ambassador to Cambodia (H.E. Igor Driesmans), the German Ambassador to Cambodia (H.E. Stefan Messerer), the Ukrainian Ambassador to Cambodia (H.E. Oleksandr Gaman) and Ukrainian First Secretary (Kseniia Ohorondyk).
An honour: This trip also saw Lee Jae performed a solo piano recital for invited dignitaries and guests at the German Embassy in Phnom Penh .(from left) Christoph Stadtler, H. E. Jacques Pellet (the Ambassador of France to Cambodia) and H. E. Stefan Messerer (the Ambassador of Germany to Cambodia) and their spouses, Lee Jae and Anton Isselhardt.
Simply brilliant: Lee Jae who performed a solo piano recital at the festival’s Grand Finale received a standing ovation.
This year’s festival spotlighted music written by composers who have lived and worked either in Leipzig, Prague, Budapest, or Kyiv.
The audience was therefore treated to a wide variety of music, some of which is very rarely performed due to its complexity or the difficulty in obtaining the sheet music for it.
The specialty on the program for the Grand Opening was the piano trio by Vasyl Barvinsky (1888-1963) , a Ukrainian composer.
Lee Jae, Dino Akira Decena and Steven Retallick (named D.R.P. Trio after the first letter of the individual members’ surnames) presented the colourful program to a full house.
The audience showed their appreciation by their generous applause after each item on the program.
At the Grand Finale of the festival, Lee Jae presented a solo piano recital, celebrating the works of Lyatoshynsky, Reger, Lysenko, Szymanowski, Chopin, and Cambodian composer Bosba Panh.
Blending rich European and Cambodian influences into a captivating program, the audience who was visibly moved, honoured the performance with a very rare standing ovation – a testament to the impact of that remarkable evening and a fitting tribute to the festival’s success.
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia, the Delegation of the European Union, the German Embassy Phnom Penh, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Soundskool, and The Piano Shop Cambodia.
Collective power : (from left ) Kseniia Ohorondyk (Ukrainian First Secretary), Gabi Faja (CEO of Soundskool Music Cambodia and Director of The Piano Shop Cambodia), Anton Isselhardt (Artistic Director of European Music Cultures Festival), Lee Jae Phang (international concert pianist and piano pedagogue), H.E. Oleksandr Gaman (Ukrainian Ambassador to Cambodia) and his spouse, Dino Akira Decena (concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra), Steven Retallick (former principal cellist of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra), Christoph Stadtler (guest speaker for the pre-concert talk and professional guitarist).
Landmark: Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh
This trip also saw Lee Jae performed a solo piano recital for invited dignitaries and guests at the German Embassy in Phnom Penh.
True to the culture of the performance venue, Lee Jae presented a program that featured masterpieces by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin.
This was Lee Jae’s second time performing at the German Embassy and he says that it is always an honour and a delight to receive an invitation to perform there.
The audience applauded enthusiastically after every item on his program and he had the pleasure of speaking to some of them, including H.E. the Ambassador of South Korea to Cambodia Park Jung-wook, after the concert.
Lee Jae says this concert trip highlights the importance of always striving for and upholding high standards in music-making.
He says a high level of skill and a professional attitude has made it possible for him to learn all that music while teaching full-time back in Malaysia, let alone perform it for a series of events in a short space of time..
He notes that two days of intense rehearsals to put together an evening concert program was made possible with high calibre musicians like Dino Akira Decena, who is currently concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and Steven Retallick, a former principal cellist at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
D.R.P. Trio : (from left) Dino Akira Decena, Lee Jae and Steven Retallick.
“The concerts also remind us of the power of music to bring people from different walks of life together.
“Let us appreciate the beautiful fact that the audience at the events comprised of individuals coming from different places around the world, with different backgrounds and lives.
“At those three evenings, these people came together to enjoy music written by a group of composers as diverse as themselves,” says Lee Jae.



United for the poor and sick
Do Good…Carlsberg Malaysia , Top Ten Charity Concert and donors/supporters raised RM3,016,280.00 to treat poor patients. The noble cause is in line with Carlsberg’s corporate social responsibility while Top Ten Charity Concert boasts a 30 plus year track record in fundraising for the needy.
By Foong Pek Yee







Pioneering change
Riding the waves of technology growth: Dr Lim Huat Seng’s first encounter with a computer was at the University of Queensland in Australia in the 1960s. And he went on to head the largest computer center among universities in South East Asia a decade later. The Colombo Plan scholar not only helped revolutionize the technology scene in Asia , but also showed that change is the only constant in this fast- evolving world. Dr Lim (second from left) his wife (third from left) Khoo Keow Gin visited King’s College, University of Queensland in 2014, 50 years after his enrolment at the residential college. With them were Master of King’s College and his wife. Photos: Courtesy of Dr Lim Huat Seng.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Sept 15, 2024
Young, married and holding stable jobs was the dream of many people in the old days.
Electrical engineer Dr Lim Huat Seng and his teacher wife Khoo Keow Gin who were high school sweethearts was no different.
But Dr Lim who was a maintenance engineer with Anglo Oriental Mining Corporation found life boring in the little tin mining town called Tanjung Tualang about 40 km from Ipoh, Perak.
It was in the late 1960s.
His dream was a career in the computer industry but computer was something hardly heard of in Malaysia then.
It was only in 1971 when Dr Lim got a major breakthrough.
In Penang, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice chancellor Professor Tan Sri Hamzah Sendut and its School of Physics and Mathematics Dean Professor Dr Chatar Singh Beriam Singh had plans to set up a computer center and a computer science programme.
During the job interview, Dr Lim’s vision of the USM computer center – a very sophisticated and advanced computer system that not only caters to the needs of teaching and research, but also supports the industry in the private and public sector- won him the job.
He took the offer though the pay was 40% lower than that of his maintenance engineer job.
USM sent him to do his PhD in computer science in London University in 1971,
On track to a better future : Dr Lim as a PhD student in his computer laboratory in London in 1971.
He obtained his PhD in 1974, promoted to associate professor and made the founding head of USM’s computer center the following year.
As a leading innovation and research computer center, Dr Lim says its focus was on teaching, research, sell computer time and provide computer advisory and consultancy services to the private and public sectors.
“The then Penang Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu ( 1919 -2010) was so intrigued by what the computer could do that he came to the center to personally test it. And he was impressed,” recalls Dr Lim.
By 1977, USM’s computer center was the largest computer center among those in universities in South East Asia.
In 1979, Dr Lim left USM for Sime Darby Systems, Singapore.
By then, the computer was gaining traction in Asia; and countries including Singapore started to adopt the new technology in earnest in sectors like banking.
Dr Lim was riding the waves of this technology development and went on to make his mark in several large organizations over the next three decades – Keppel, Compaq Computer, Packard Bell Nec, Wearnes Technology, Multi Fineline Inc.
In 1989 , Compaq sent him to China as the managing director of North Asia, covering Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and South Korea – his first overseas posting out of Singapore.
Compaq – the world’s top personal computer manufacturer then – saw the huge business potential in China, and Dr Lim was tasked to set up a network of local dealers there.
Making history: Dr Lim (second from left) at the Compaq China World opening ceremony in Beijing in 1994.
While he is not fluent in Chinese, Dr Lim managed to build a close rapport with the dealers in China, and Compaq’s entry into China was a huge success.
Friendship conquers all : In Beijing 1990, Dr Lim (right) who spoke no Mandarin with his first China contact who spoke no English when they first met in 1989.
He recalls his first China contact who met him at the Beijing airport in 1989 holding a placard with his Chinese name.
“Language was no barrier. In fact he taught me almost anything I need to know about China.”
China in the early 1990s was undergoing rapid transformation in its economy.
Officials at all levels in the government and the business sector were navigating the newly -opened market economy, and to deal with them effectively required a good understanding of the Chinese culture, notes Dr Lim.
“Never confront ministers or senior government officials especially in public. Always be respectful and sensitive to people’s needs and situations ,” says Dr Lim of the dos and don’ts in doing business in China.
Citing examples, he singles out the phrase ” Ni you shenme wen ti” ( Do you have any problem? ) which was often used at the start of meetings in China.
Many people took it directly and started airing their concerns without any sensitivity , he adds , and that was when relationship got strained on the spot and business negotiations broke down suddenly.
While the concerns may be true or otherwise , the Chinese see it as an insult the way it was presented to them in a demanding manner.
Networking: Dr Lim (standing, left) held hands with the Governor of Shaanxi Province, Cheng Andong during a dinner in 1997.
Humility is important for the Chinese.
Citing a karaoke session with the dealers, Dr Lim says he sang a Chinese evergreen Green Island Serenade.
“I can remember the tune but I do not know nor recognize much of the lyrics . But we had a good time getting to know each other and forged a close relationship. The China guys really liked me. ”
And Compaq’s entry into the Chinese market was successful beyond expectation given that many were hesitant to venture into the market during that period, recalls Dr Lim, visibly proud of his three-year-stint in China that helped to shape the computer technology landscape there.
Technology transfer: Dr Lim (left) at the Tsinghua University Computer Education Centre which he helped set up in 1992.
China then was so different from China today, he recalls, adding that there were only two big hotels in Beijing – Shangrila Hotel and China World Hotel then.
The hotels closed its door to visitors at 11.00pm sharp and the city was dimly lit and all quiet by around 9.00pm.
Born and bred in Penang, Dr Lim who is the eldest of eight siblings comes across a people-centric person.
His family stayed on the first floor of a prewar shophouse and his father had a crockery business on the ground floor.
His father who started work at the age of 12 took over the shop selling crockery after his boss passed away.
Born in 1944 in the midst of World War 2, Dr Lim says his family was fortunate to survive the war.
Life was tough, and he nearly succumbed to typhoid at the age of five, he says, adding that he can still recalls that day when his parents rushed him to a doctor’s house for help.
Chinese New Year was a big celebration for the family – all the kids sharing one can of lychee drink once a year.
“We have to add sugar syrup so that we have enough for each of us,” says Dr Lim of his close-knitted family.
He studied in Penang Free School and was given a Colombo Plan scholarship to do electrical engineering in University of Queensland in Australia in 1964.
He was very prudent, and still is.
He managed to to set aside between AUD 50- 100 which was about 150 – 300 dollar in Malaysia then from the scholarship and sent home to help his family.
During his first year of vacation training (three months), he got a monthly allowance equivalent to 200 dollar in Malaysia and he gave all to his mother.
“It was the happiest time in her life and that of mine.
“Even a few hundred dollars made a big difference and the family can break out of poverty those days.”
Dr Lim and his wife were high school sweethearts in Penang Free School.
Khoo did teacher training which came with a 40 Malaysian dollar monthly allowance.
She continued to teach in Johor Baru when she and their two children followed Dr Lim to Singapore in 1980.
She commuted daily until she chalked up 25 years of service that qualified her for pension.
When Dr Lim was with Wearnes Technology in Singapore , he was known as the only CEO who came to work in a bus.
He was given an option , either the use of a company car (Jaguar ) or transport allowance.
He opted for the allowance as parking space was limited in his house.
A brilliant career spanning four decades, Dr Lim says a balance between family life and career is important.
Weekends were for the family and weekdays for work, he says, adding that he looked forward to both.
Any career has its fair share of ups and downs, and Dr Lim was able to navigate and thrive with perseverance, confidence in doing the right thing and the unwavering support from his loving wife.
Dr Lim who retired in 2010 continued to do some mentoring and advisory jobs until the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.
At 80, the couple have a son and a daughter who are in their early 50s now and grandchildren.
Their son is an Interventional Radiologist in Singapore while their daughter, a banker in Malaysia.
And Dr Lim and his wife enjoy their golden years shuttling between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to be with them.
Showcase of talent and commitment
Simply remarkable : Twenty-nine piano students with their piano teacher Lee Jae Phang put on a concert on Sept 7, 2024 – reflecting the diversity of musical styles written for piano and the unique musical tastes and current abilities of each student.
Nathaniel Lim Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Traditional); Lee Jie Jun Minuet in C (Reinagle); Jamie Pua Old French Song(Tchaikovsky); Jiang Hanqin Arietta, Op.12 No 1 (Grieg); Leanne Lee Tarantella , Op. 77 n0. 6 (M0szkowski); Jaclynn Lai Finale: Tempo di minuet, from Sonata Hob XVI : 49 (Haydn); Johnson Guo Jackson Street Blues (Martha Mier); Ezra Chen Finale: Prestissimo, from Sonata Op. 10 No 1 (Beethoven); Kingston Koh Little Whale Explores the Calm Sea (Caroline Tyler) and Virginia Hall ( Shruthi Rajasekar); Teoh Shu Kheng Last Rose of Summer (Flotow); Kayleigh Cham ??:) (Traditional English); Tang Woan Torng Prelude in C Major, from Book 1 of “The 48” (J. S. Bach); Jacob Lin O for Ole (June Armstrong) Jiang Hanlin Hunting Song (Schumann); Jacob Yong Songs without Words, Op. 19 No 1 (Mendelssohn) ; Wong Jannelle Allegro in F (Handel); Joshua Chen Allegro, from Sonata, Op. 14 No. 2 (Beethoven); Lim Hui San Prelude for Left Hand, Op. 9 Scriabin); Anna Liew Gavotte (Telemann); Ian Fong Evening in the Village (Bartok); Brandon Thean Allegretto in C (Diabelli) and Virginia Hall (Shruti Rajasekar); Willian Poh In the Groove (Mike Cornick); Ashley Thean Fur Elise (Beethoven); Natalie Peh Modere, from Sonatien (Ravel);Natalie Peh and Teacher Lee Jae Allegro Molto, from Sonata for Piano, 4 hands, K. 381 (Mozart); Andrew Tah Gamelan, No. 1 from Java Suite (Godowsky); Chong Ray Shuen New Kid (Christopher Norton); Daniel Tan Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79 No. 2 (Brahms); Yoshua Yong The Ultimate Price (Evan Call, arranged by Animenz); Paulson Loh Moderato Cantabile (Diabelli).
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Sept 12, 2024
Describing the event as ” A concert for the students and by the students”, Lee Jae says it is a celebration of their efforts, achievements and progress so far.
“It is a great learning experience for students because they sharpen their planning and preparation skills.
“With a deadline looming and a goal to reach , it becomes more critical that practice is done efficiently,” says Lee Jae at the opening of the concert in Yamaha Festival Hall, Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya, Selangor.
Also a concert pianist, Lee Jae says performing to a live audience also trains students to learn to overcome stage fright.
And to maximize the learning experience, each student gives a brief introduction of themselves and their chosen piece before playing.
The ability to connect with people via performance and public speaking is a communication style and asset that comes with learning and practice.
Photos: Courtesy of Lee Jae Phang.
Students play on the Yamaha S6 grand piano.
Learning the piano or learning music itself is a lifelong pursuit.
Regardless of where one is on one’s journey, Lee Jae says there is always something new to learn – develop a new skill, refine one which we have learnt, deepen our musical understanding, and discover new composers and their compositions.
“Each and every student performing today is a traveller on this long and beautiful musical journey.
“While we may not be taking the exact same road, we all are heading towards the same destination, and that destination is excellence in music.
“Hard work, commitment, honesty to oneself, perseverance and the love for music are part and parcel of the pursuit of excellence in music.”
Charting a career path
Teh Wee Chye : Technical skills open the door . Your character and leadership propels you to the top.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Aug 29, 2024
You can stay relevant and innovative in this rapidly evolving world via life long learning
“And it is your leadership and character that defines your success,” says Teh Wee Chye who is Malayan Flour Mills Bhd (MFM) deputy executive chairman and managing director.
Addressing graduates at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) 39th convocation ceremony session 4 at its campus in Kampar, Perak on Aug 18, 2024, Teh says having the integrity and resilience, and being highly adaptable and visionary will enable a person to make a positive impact on the rapidly changing world.
Congratulations: UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum (right) presenting a scroll to Lai Jen Weng who has a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (Hon) Entrepreneurship at the UTAR 39th convocation on Aug 18, 2024.
“The rapidly evolving world is presenting many opportunities and challenges alike ,” Teh says, adding that success is also about being able to bounce back from setbacks and keep going.
March of the guest of honour: UTAR president Datuk Professor Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Dr Sak and guest of honour Teh Wee Chye entering Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik for the UTAR 39th convocation in the Kampur campus in Perak on Aug 18, 2024.
While food security and climate change are two rising concerns worldwide and inter-connected , Teh says they (concerns) also provide career and relevant business opportunities at the same time.
‘This is one area graduates could explore and venture in, not only as a career, but also to help ensure enough of food supply for the people.”
With between 4.7 billion and 4.8 billion of the world’s 8.05 billion population in Asia, the focus on ensuring enough food in the region offers vast opportunities for graduates from multi disciplines to apply their skills and make an impact.
A major milestone: Graduates arriving at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik for the UTAR 39th convocation on Aug 18, 2024.
Describing this century as an Asian century, he says the region’s remarkable and continuous economic growth are translated into good economic and career opportunities.
In 2024, Asia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is between $40 trillion and $ 45 trillion.
This amount includes China’s GDP of between $19 trillion and $20 trillion – the second largest economy after the United States which has a GDP of between $ 27 trillion and $28trillion.
And Asean alone has a GDP of between $3.5trillion and $4 trillion.
Teh points out that the world is undergoing a lot of changes and urged graduates to acquire cross cultural skills and a deep understanding of global connections to stay relevant.
“As you step into your career, consider how you can contribute in the vital sectors like food security.
“Consider change as a companion. Continue life long learning to stay relevant,” says the 70-year-old Teh.
MFM which started off in 1966 as a flour milling company is now a staple food manufacturing company; majoring in flour milling, poultry integration and aquaculture.
Teh who has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Ship Building and Shipping Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA joined MFM as deputy mill manager in 1976 and promoted to plant manager two years later.
In 1979, he was made the project manager in charge of the MFM’s entire expansion plans.
Grounded on good values
Datuk Lee Yeow Chor: Engaged, involved and committed. Always ready to execute well. Continuously learning and improving with the ability to adapt quickly in today’s rapidly evolving world.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Aug 26, 2024
The Dutch like sailing and biking.
And Datuk Lee Yeow Chor made it a point to join his business associates and staff for the sports on weekends during his business trips to Netherlands.
“This is one way to understand each others culture ,” says Lee.
The 57-year -old IOI Corporation Berhad (IOI) Group Managing Director and Chief Executive who is known for his exemplary leadership is adept at interacting in the world arena.
IOI is a leading global integrated and sustainable palm oil player.
It has plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia ; and resource based manufacturing business in Netherlands, Germany, United States, Canada, China and Ghana.
Lee was also educated abroad.
He has LLB (Honours) King’s College , London, Bar Finals, Gray’s Inn, London and a post graduate diploma in Finance and Accounting from the London School of Economics.
Dedicated to education: UTAR chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (seated); and from left; UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, IOI Group Managing Director Datuk Lee Yeow Chor and UTAR president Datuk Professor Dr Ewe Hong Tat at the UTAR 39th convocation ceremony session 2 at the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024.
Sharing his business experience at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) 39 th convocation in the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024, Lee who was the event’s guest of honour highlighted the importance of synergy in business .
It is about having a great team -tapping into each others strength, seamlessly.
Lee says: “IOI’s core values and belief is excellence in execution and learning while doing things, even doing seemingly mundane things like comparing specifications from suppliers’ quotations to which I still do.
“The western managers meanwhile are very good in analysis, planning and presentation. They can even give a 10-year-plan.
“My senior management and I have to adjust their focus to avoid analysis paralysis ,overelaborate plans. And to get them start doing things as soon as possible.”
After managing the overseas food ingredients company for 13 years, Lee says the company grew and consequently Europe and North America became important markets for this company and also indirectly IOI plantations which supply crude palm oil with the raw materials to this company.
Then came the acid test in 2016.
That year, Lee recalls , an NGO (non- governmental organisation) from Netherlands reported that one of IOI’s plantations in Indonesia did not follow some environmental regulations. The area involved was 3% of the planted area.
Soon after, an international organisation – Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) – suspended the plantation certification for the total planted area.
The company supplying food ingredients to the six countries also had its certification suspended.
It was a huge crisis for IOI.
Lee says: ” Two very powerful NGOs also campaigned against IOI , pressuring all our multinational customers to stop buying from IOI.
” IOI quickly had an open discussion with RSPO and had their Auditors to visit and verify the situation on the ground where breaches were found.
“We (IOI) published a time-bound rectification plan with regular updates.
“Within four months, we managed to get back the RSPO certification.”
But the crisis was far from over.
“For the next 18 months, we got UK based consultants to engage with the NGOs and published rectifications and improvement updates on our website every two or three weeks.
“And another 12 months to persuade the NGOs to call off their campaign that pressured our multinational customers.”
Lee says the IOI team – engaged, involved and committed – rode out the crisis and emerged stronger.
He says IOI’s honesty and preparedness to admit its mistakes had immediately reduced, if not removed, distrust on the company .
Being open to views and suggestions, Lee says IOI accepted views and suggestions from the NGOs and consultants.
He says IOI even suspended the planting activities for about two years while engaging with the NGOs
Lee says IOI took the setback as an opportunity to improve and reinvent itself, and the company subsequently introduced many sustainability related policies and guidelines and intensified efforts to beef up environmental sustainability.
Last year, Lee says IOI Corporation was awarded TheEdge Malaysia Environmental , Social and Governance (ESG) Gold Award.
He says IOI, at the international level, has also received several ESG Gold Awards.
Congratulating the graduates, Lee says he hopes the lessons he learned from his business life would be relevant to them in their daily lives later.
“Executing well, being transparent, reinventing oneself and embracing values like empathy, humility and honesty .
“You have the power to shape your own future and make a positive impact on the world,” says Lee in his very inspiring speech and timely advice for the graduates.
Congratulations: UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh (right) presenting a scroll to a graduate at the UTAR 39th convocation on Aug 17, 2024.
Congratulations: UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees member Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian (right) presenting a scroll to a graduate at the UTAR 39th convocation on Aug 17, 2024.
Congratulations: UTAR council member Datuk Lim Si Cheng (left) presenting a scroll to a graduate at the UTAR 39th convocation on Aug 17, 2024.
The power to transform
Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat : From a teenage rubber tapper and labourer to the man who built OSK Investment Bank, one of the largest investment banks in South East Asia with presence in Asean countries and Hong Kong and a conglomerate with business interests in financial services, property and investment, construction, hospitality and industries.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Aug 24, 2024
Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat joins the work force very early to help put food on the table for his family of 12 in Merbau New Village in Sitiawan, Perak.
He is a rubber tapper and labourer while schooling, and has a two-year temporary teaching stint upon completing his form five education.
Ong subsequently joins a finance company as a counter clerk and climbs the corporate ladder via self study.
He left the company as a senior general manager after working there for 17 years.
In the 1980s, Ong developed OSK Securities into one of the biggest investment banks in South East Asia -OSK Investment Bank- before it merged with RHB Investment Bank in 2012.
His flagship company – OSK Holdings Bhd – is a conglomerate with business interests in property development and investment, construction, industries, hospitality and financial services; with business operations in Malaysia and Australia.
All for education: OSK Holdings Bhd chairman Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat (centre), flanked by UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh (left) and UTAR president Datuk Professor Dr Ewe Hong Tat (right) at the opening of the UTAR 39th convocation ceremony session 3 in Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024.
Guest of honour procession: UTAR president Datuk Professor Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh and guest of honour Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat at the UTAR 39th convocation ceremony session 3 in Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024.
UTAR 39th convocation ceremony session 3 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCaIecsYe9o&t=5103s
AT 80, Ong, a well-known tycoon and philanthropist, provides a glimpse of his life journey at the opening of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) 39th convocation ceremony session 3 in the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024
As the event’s guest of honour, he says he hopes his sharing would be helpful for graduates who are at the threshold of embarking on a new journey – like join the workforce or further studies.
A major milestone: UTAR graduates at the 39th UTAR convocation ceremony session 3 in Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in the Kampar campus on Aug 17, 2024.
While he did not get a tertiary education opportunity, Ong says, he joined the work force very early and managed to support some of his siblings’ tertiary education.
Stating that tertiary education is a good foundation , Ong says he has to compensate by putting in extra effort to learn and excel in his work.
“After work, I diligently study to improve my English and understanding of finance by reading newspapers and financial magazines.
“I also consult people who are experts in the subject (finance),” recalls Ong.
Looking back, Ong says he understand the importance of education at a very young age.
” As a Christian, I recognised first and foremost that God has been gracious to me. God has guided me throughout my life journey, blessed me with the desire and commitment to continue to learn and improve myself using my own effort though I did not get a tertiary education opportunity.
“I am grateful I have reached a position that allows me to bless others with the opportunity I did not have,” says Ong followed by a big round of applause from his audience.
UTAR students are among the beneficiaries of scholarships from OSK Foundation – the philanthropic arm of OSK Holdings Bhd.
Ong also made a personal donation of RM5mil to UTAR which is a non-profit university.
Ong who is now OSK Holdings Bhd chairman, OSK Ventures International Bhd chairman, RHB Investment Bank Bhd chairman and RHB Bank Bhd director says he continues to learn and grow.
While graduation marks an important milestone in one’s life journey, he advises graduates to practise life long learning in order to progress.
He cautions that even cutting – edge knowledge can turn obsolete overnight.
“Thus, life long learning is a necessity and not just a concept.
” There are many ways we can learn; from self study, interacting with people, visiting places to taking criticism as feedback for us to improve ourselves.
“Being defensive and having a closed minded attitude is the biggest enemy to life long learning and progress.”
Speaking from experience, he says interacting with older people is also a good way to learn as they are more willing to impart their knowledge and wisdom.
Ong says challenges are part and parcel of life, and his advice is not to dwell on them but focused on looking for solutions and learned from the challenges.
” I learned more in times of crises than times of success,” says Ong, adding that he had gone through major crises in his life journey, citing the oil crisis in the 1970s, the Pan – El crisis in the 1980s, Asian Financial crisis in the 1990s and the Global financial crisis in 2008.
“While I was hurt financially and emotionally, I made sure I learned from each and every crisis and emerged stronger after riding out the crises.”
On luck and success, Ong says: “While luck plays a role in success, luck also favours people who are well-prepared. Continue to learn and improve ourselves and luck is on our side.”
Ong says in his almost 60 years in banking and business, he has met many successful people from different sectors, including politics, business and sports. There is no shortcut to glory.
” Their common trait is an eagerness to stay curious and continue learning.”
Navigating and thriving in a world of endless possibilities
Lim Chai Hock : There is a lesson in every turn. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
By Foong Pek Yee


