YTL Corporation founder, Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, dies at 88
He was a well-respected leader, passionate philanthropist
BUSINESS mogul and prominent philanthropist Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay died yesterday at the age of 88. The founder of YTL Corporation Bhd is survived by his wife Puan Sri Tan Kai Yong and seven children, including Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, who now helms the diverse conglomerate.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of the head of our family, but are comforted that he has gone home to our Lord Jesus Christ.
“We are four generations that have had the privilege of enjoying his presence for 88 years and he will be truly missed,” his family said in a statement.
YTL company secretary Ho Say Keng said: “Tan Sri was an advocate of hard work, perseverance and integrity, not just for his family, but for those around him.
“He treated his employees as his extended family and was recognised for his love, humility and compassion. We could not have asked for a more gracious and supportive chairman.”
Yeoh’s contributions had been well-recognised with the conferment of the title of Doctor of Engineering by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and his appointment as Honorary Life President of the Master Builders Association of Malaysia in 1988.
He was the cofounder and the first chairman of the Asean Constructors’ Federation, and was installed as Universiti Malaysia Sabah Pro-Chancellor in 2005.
In 2008, he was conferred the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the economic cooperation and friendship between Japan and Malaysia.
In 2009, he was accorded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2009 in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and contribution towards the development of the nation.
He was also a board member of other public companies such as YTL Cement Bhd and YTL Industries Bhd, and Wessex Water Ltd, a water and wastewater utility in England and Wales.
Yeoh was also known as a passionate philanthropist, as he served as the chairman of YTL Foundation, the chairman of board of governors of his alma mater, Hin Hua High School Klang, and honorary chairman of Tung Shin Hospital.
A well-respected leader in the Chinese community, he was the honorary president of Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Malaysia; Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce; Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia and Selangor Kim Mooi Association. He was also an adviser to the Kuala Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Family and friends may pay their last respects from 7pm onwards today at 2 Lorong Buloh Perindu 1, Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur.
Wake services will be held today, tomorrow and on Saturday at 8.30pm, while the funeral service will be on Sunday at 10am, with the cortege tentatively making its way to Nilai Memorial Park at noon.