The Song Bak Foundation Outpatient Specialist Centre was officially launched at UTAR Hospital on 11 October 2023.

Song Bak Foundation Co-founders Dr Chia Song Kun and spouse Mrs Chia Bak Lang officiated the launch together with their children and family members. Dr Chia’s sons Mr Chia Soo Khee and spouse Ms Zhang Qian; and Mr Chia Lik Khai (QL Resources Bhd Executive Director) and spouse Ms Tracy Chang; and Dr Chia’s daughter Ms Chia Juak Sui (QL Resources Bhd Executive Director) and spouse Mr Chung Eng Hong were present at the launch.

To celebrate the launch, Dr Chia’s family members QL Resources Bhd Group Managing Director Mr Chia Song Kooi and spouse; QL Resources Bhd Executive Director Mr Chia Song Swa and spouse; and QL Resources Bhd Executive Director Mr Chia Seong Pow and spouse; also attended the event.

UTAR and UTAR Hospital thank Dr Chia Song Kun, Mrs Chia, Dr Chia's family and Song Bak Foundation for the immense support and the generous donation of RM15 million to the Hospital. The naming of the specialist centre reflects the shared values of the Song Bak Foundation and UTAR Hospital in support of welfare and service to the community. Visitors and patients to the centre will also be reminded of the generosity of the Song Bak Foundation in support of the provision of affordable quality healthcare for the community.

UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Toh Puan Ena Ling; UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum and Puan Sri Irene Sak; UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Hospital Board Chairman and UTAR Council Member Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Member Datuk Lee Leck Cheng; UTAR Council Member Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, and UTAR Hospital CEO Prof Dr Lau Hui Ping were also present for the launch and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Among the guests were Associated Builders and Contractors Sdn Bhd Executive Director Madam Yau Yoke Meng, Technical Director Ir Dr Tong Ling Siew, and Director Mr Hor Peng Seong.

Song Bak Foundation co-founder Dr Chia Song Kun said, “The launch of the Song Bak Foundation Outpatient Specialist Centre signifies a synergy between UTAR and Song Bak Foundation in offering high-quality and affordable medical services to the communities. Education is very close to me and my wife’s hearts. We believe that for the community to progress in stability and happiness, people need to maintain good physical, mental and emotional health. As they say, Health is wealth.

We find UTAR’s development of a teaching hospital, which provides affordable healthcare services, aligns with our focus. I am confident that UTAR Hospital and the M Kandiah Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences will continue to nurture good and responsible healthcare professionals who will uphold and embody the Hippocratic Oath. My wife and I believe that the UTAR Hospital will serve the community well and bring about greater good and values for many years to come.”

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum said, “The launch of the Song Bak Foundation Outpatient Specialist Centre is indeed a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to provide quality healthcare to our community. The naming of the outpatient specialist centre is our way of saying thank you to the foundation for their generous donation. We would also like to thank the thousands of donors who had come forward to support the building of this hospital. UTAR and UTAR Hospital would not have been possible in these 20 years of existence without the continuous support by generous donors, who are also concerned with improving education and healthcare for the Malaysian community.

This outpatient specialist centre will be a reminder to the patients and the visitors; not only on the philanthropic aspect of the donation, but more importantly, it is a reminder of the values that the Chia family share together with the UTAR family. These are the values which will drive us to provide a more affordable and quality treatment to our patients as well as quality education to our young people in Malaysia.”

UTAR and UTAR Hospital staff who were also present to witness the launch were UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, UTAR Hospital Deputy CEO Ms Maria Khong Poh Fong and hospital staff.