It was a very meaningful day on 2 September 2022 when the Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Lecture Theatre, named in honour of the late Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng, was launched along with a cheque presentation of RM5million donation to UTAR Hospital. The donation was funded by Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Berhad to UTAR Education Foundation for the hospital.

Guests who were present at the launching ceremony were KLK Berhad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian and spouse Puan Sri Dato’ Sandra Lee, and their sons Mr Lee Jia Zhang and Mr Lee Guo Zhang. KLK Berhad Non-Executive Director Dato’ Lee Hau Hian, his spouse Datin Teh Li Li, and their son Mr Lee Yuan Zhang were also present. Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian’s sister, Madam Lee Oi Loon and his brother-in-law Mr Lim Peng Hoong, including KLK staff Madam Yap Miow Kien and Mr Har Wai Ming also attended the launch of the lecture theatre.

Witnessing the launch of the Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Lecture Theatre were OSK Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat; OSK Group Managing Director Mr Ong Ju Yan, Executive Director Dato’ Saiful Bahri bin Zainuddin and OSK staff.

They were all welcomed by UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling; UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat; UTAR Council Members Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, and Mr Hew Fen Yee, spouse Mrs Hew and their sons Mr Isaac Hew and Mr Aaron Hew. Other UTAR staff present included Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min; Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong; Registrar Yim Lin Heng, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun; Faculty of Business and Finance Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee; Faculty of Arts and Social Science Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng; Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng and staff.

Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said, “Today’s launching is not just about honouring and thanking the late Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng, his family and his Foundation but it is also a testimony of the late Tan Sri Lee’s belief in giving back to society and the importance of good education for career success. The late Tan Sri Lee had always stressed on the importance of education as the way forward for the community as well as the nation. His belief led him to donate and support generously to the schools and educational institutions.”

He added, “Following the legacy of his father, I am delighted to mention that Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian and KLK have been great donors and supporters, contributing towards the establishment of UTAR and now the UTAR Hospital. I would like to extend my gratitude to Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian and KLK for the generous support that has been rendered to UTAR all this while. Through the KLK Foundation, UTAR has received RM1million grant for educational programmes such as the Agricultural Technology Seminar series, scholarships for students, development of UTAR Agriculture Park and research projects. Thank you once again to KLK Foundation for your generous contribution to UTAR and its students. We are indeed proud that Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian shares the same vision as the University on education as the key to personal and economic growth, and success. A good education can transform lives and contribute towards nation building.”

Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, in his speech said, “My deepest appreciation to UTAR for honouring my late father Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng by naming this lecture theatre after him. We are all very grateful and delighted with your presence and support this morning. Our late father carried the nickname Tai-Kor, for being the oldest twin. As the years went by, it became clear to everyone how the nickname suited him. His last memory of 22 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews looked up to him as an anchor of stability in his passing advice and assistance. He was also a Tai-Kor to many of his personal friends and communities at large. The late Tan Sri Lee was also the Tai-Kor of plantations. From a single-minded pursuit of a small rubber company to his achievements in taking over KLK Berhad. Later this month, His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Perak will be launching a biography of my late father. This book will depict the convergence of the two journeys of the late Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng and KLK Berhad, unfolding into Malaysia’s success story.

He added, “In all his achievements, our father was a simple man. He lived his life according to a set of core values rooted in humility and loyalty. We have always been mindful of these core values and they are now ingrained in the DNA of KLK Group. Education was also of great importance to our late father, who recognised its crucial role as a way to help people advance socially and economically. My father’s desire to pursue tertiary education, which he was not able to achieve, and my mother’s active involvement to upgrade the schools in Perak are both well known. Hence, the naming of this lecture theatre is most appropriate in recognition of their contributions to our community and country.”

The mock cheque of RM5million donation to UTAR Hospital was presented by Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian to UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. It was witnessed by UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh and UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat.

The Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Lecture Theatre is located in the UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology in UTAR Kampar Campus and it is a major lecture theatre for all students in the faculty and the university. Students attending the lecture theatre will be reminded of the contributions of the late Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng for the community and his guiding principles in life which will hopefully serve as a guide for students.