All of us at Hin Hua , are deeply saddened by the untimely and unfortunate passing of our most beloved and respected Chairman, Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr. Yeoh Teong Lay on the 18th. October 2017, aged 88.
Our Chairman Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr. Yeoh was born in Klang on 18 December 1929. He was Chinese educated, and he was steeped in Chinese culture. At the age of 21, he ventured into business and started the YTL conglomerate. Despite his busy business commitments, he devoted much valuable time and effort in caring for and contributing to the development of Chinese education in Malaysia and Taiwan, both financially and in numerous other ways.
Our Chairman was very committed and bold in both his business ventures and his contributions to Chinese education. He was indeed a true leader in both business and Chinese education.
Tan Sri Chairman, you are the patriarch of the Hin Hua Fraternity. Hin Hua High School has always been your concern. In 2005, at the age of 76, Tan Sri returned to lead Hin Hua High School as our Chairman as well as the Chairman of the Building Committee. Tan Sri was very determined to see the infrastructure of Hin Hua High School achieved world-class standard, thus laying the foundation for future development. Tan Sri Chairman was equally concerned about the welfare of both teachers and students. Anything that was planned which facilitated students’ learning would receive full support from Tan Sri. Tan Sri also fully supported efforts which were planned to enhance teaching. Countless teachers and students had also benefitted tremendously from the huge amounts of scholarships and bursaries from Tan Sri, including students and teachers’ children who had secured places of higher learning overseas. In your personal capacity, Tan Sri had assisted in making numerous arrangements for talks, seminars and other educational exchanges with overseas Institutions and Educationists. This has resulted in benefitting our students and teachers tremendously in terms of widening their exposure as well as opening new avenues for further studies. In short, Tan Sri had bridged Hin Hua with many reputable institutions overseas.
Tan Sri was instrumental in making possible last year’s study tour of educational institutions in Beijing, namely Tsinghua University, Beijing University as well as several high schools in Beijing. With this, it paved the pathway for entry into these universities for our students.
During the study tour, despite aged 88, Tan Sri was always at the forefront, displaying extreme energy and fervour, portraying the qualities of a true leader in every sense. Tan Sri Chairman’s quest for excellence in Chinese education and Hin Hua’s advancement definitely deserves our utmost respect and honour.
Both Tan Sri and Puan Sri treat teachers and students like their own children and grandchildren. During each Lunar New Year, both Tan Sri and Puan Sri will entertain teachers to a sumptuous dinner, not forgetting giving each an angpow. Distributing Moon Cakes to teachers during the Mid-Autumn Festival was a yearly affair. All these go to show your concern and rapport with the teachers, including your ability to address teachers by their names. Under 12 years of Tan Sri’s leadership, teachers have benefitted tremendously in terms of better welfare.
We also take note of Tan Sri’s unfailing effort to hold discussions with the Principal and her deputies whenever he is not overseas. For these discussion sessions which are normally held on Saturdays, Tan Sri would buy various types of food for breakfast for those attending the session. These “breakfast with love” reminds us of Tan Sri every weekend.
I still remember there was one morning when Tan Sri saw a news article on one student achieving full score and emerging champion in a International Mathematics Competition and your first call was to find out more details on this competition. Following this, Tan Sri called again and told me that he had written a letter of commendation and encouragement to the student. Tan Sri called a third time, and requested a meeting with the student so that Tan Sri could personally present an ipad to the student.
I have worked with Tan Sri for nearly 6 years and Tan Sri was extremely knowledgeable about all happenings at Hin Hua. Tan Sri had told me once that he would read every word that appears in the Monthly Hin Hua Newsletter. Tan Sri’s in depth knowledge of Hin Hua is unparalleled. Tan Sri’s passion for education is indeed remarkably intense. Despite your status, you were very approachable and unassuming, and your strong leadership deserves our highest respect and honour. These will forever be remembered in Hin Hua.
Tan Sri Chairman, what Hin Hua is today is due to your unending and tireless effort. We love you and we thank you with utmost sincerity.
Tan Sri Chairman, you had said that you are proud of Hin Hua. Tan Sri had always reminded us to continue learning and improve ourselves, to be high spirited, and to maintain a high level of determination. Tan Sri’s vision is to make Hin Hua a “complete and ideal” school, for the sake of Chinese education.
Tan Sri Chairman, you can rest assured that all of us at Hin Hua will continue to pursue your vision for the school and do our utmost to advance Chinese education and push Hin Hua to a higher level of excellence.
Rest in peace, Tan Sri Chairman, your name will be carved in perpetuity and we will always remember you.
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