Book Launch Ceremony for Inheriting the Family Legacy: The Story of Goh Kim Whuat & Pantai Selamat Group

From left: Mr Goh Chin Choon, Tan Sri Pheng, Mr Goh Kim Whuat, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Prof Datuk Lim and Dr Wong

The book launch ceremony for Inheriting the Family Legacy: The Story of Goh Kim Whuat & Pantai Selamat Group was held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 15 November 2024. Organised by I Culture Bhd, UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), and the Centre for Chinese Studies, the event welcomed a total of 158 guests.

Also present were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, ICS Adjunct Professor Prof Datuk Dr Lim Chooi Kwa, Mr Goh Kim Whuat, Goh family representative and Pantai Selamat Group Executive Director Mr Goh Chin Choon, SM Chong Hwa Kuantan Board of Directors of Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Pheng Yin Huah, ICS Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, ICS Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin and I Culture Berhad Executive Director Ms Tan Hui Sean.

Authored by Dr Wong, the book featured the biography of Mr Goh Kim Whuat, a renowned businessman in Kuantan. As the founder of Pantai Selamat Group, a prominent supermarket chain in Kuantan, Mr Goh’s biography explored his formative years, entrepreneurial achievements, contributions to community organisations in his later years, and the relationships within the Goh family.

The ceremony began with a performance by the UTAR Chinese Orchestra, setting a celebratory tone. Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “UTAR has always been committed to preserving and promoting Chinese culture and fostering mutual understanding and respect among different ethnic groups through research, publications, and academic exchanges. The publication of this book undoubtedly adds a valuable resource to our research materials and provides new inspiration for our exploration of heritage and innovation.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe

Prof Datuk Lim commended the book’s accurate portrayal of Mr Goh’s inspiring journey, reflecting his dedication to family harmony, business success, and community contributions. Having personally experienced the warm hospitality at the Goh family’s ancestral home, Prof Datuk Lim praised their strong family values, respect for tradition, and emphasis on fostering a positive legacy. “The book details Mr Goh’s rise from humble beginnings to founding multiple successful businesses and his active engagement in charitable initiatives through the Goh Family Foundation,” he said. Concluding with gratitude, the speaker encouraged readers to draw inspiration from Mr Goh’s story and wished his family continued success in their contributions to society and Chinese culture.

Prof Datuk Lim

Dr Wong, also the author of the book, reflected on the inspiring journey of Mr Goh, highlighting his values of thrift, integrity, and resilience. Dr Wong shared personal anecdotes about the Goh family, including their exceptional unity, with eight siblings living and working together. He recounted Mr Goh’s rise from humble beginnings as a grocery store assistant to building the Pantai Selamat Group, emphasising the family’s commitment to fairness, illustrated by the equal distribution of shares among siblings to maintain harmony and collective success. Dr Wong emphasised the importance of preserving such life stories, noting that the book not only celebrates Mr Goh’s accomplishments but also serves as an inspiring cultural legacy. He concluded by encouraging readers to draw lessons from this extraordinary story of perseverance and family values.

Dr Wong

Mr Goh Chin Choon reflected on the collaborative effort to document their family’s history and values in this biography. Despite initial hesitation, particularly from their mother, the family agreed to share their journey, aiming to preserve the legacy of their parents and the unity of eight siblings for future generations. According to him, the book offered insights into their struggles, mutual respect, and perseverance that shaped their success. Mr Goh Chin Choon ended his speech by expressing deep gratitude to UTAR, ICS, and I Cultural Berhad for their support.

Mr Goh Chin Choon

The launch featured the unveiling of the book cover by Mr Goh Kim Whuat and Prof Dato’ Ewe, followed by a book donation ceremony benefiting various schools and institutions. In conjunction with the event, Mr Goh Kim Whuat generously donated RM100,000 to the UTAR Hospital.

Music performance from the UTAR Chinese Orchestra

A book donation ceremony

Mr Goh Kim Whuat (fifth from left) presenting a mock cheque to Prof Dato’ Ewe (fifth from right)

A group photo with the attendees