Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompose. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray. Ameen.

Last week, we have looked at how the Parsi community in Singapore has contributed philantrophicly ever since their arrival. Today we will be looking at some prominent figures of the Chinese community in Singapore whose philantrophy act also deserves recognition by all.

Lee Seng Tee

Lee Seng Tee heads the Lee Foundation, one of Singapore’s largest family foundations, which has donated nearly S$1 billion since it was founded in 1952 by Lee’s father, Lee Kong Chian. Notable donations include S$150 million to Nanyang Technological University in 2011 for the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine; S$25 million to the National University of Singapore in 2010 for the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum; S$50 million to Singapore Management University in 2004; and S$60 million to build the new National Library in 2003.

Mavis Khoo-Oei

With sister Elizabeth Khoo, Mavis Khoo-Oei is a trustee of her late father Khoo Teck Puat’s estate. In the past decade, the family’s charitable arm, the Khoo Teck Puat Foundation, and the estate of the late Khoo Teck Puat have jointly donated more than S$360 million to various causes, including S$100 million to build the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, S$80 million to fund medical research at the Duke-NUS Medical School and S$50 million to build the Khoo Teck Puat—National University Children’s Medical Institute at the National University Hospital, which is nearing completion.

Goh Cheng Liang

Through the Goh Foundation, which he founded in 1994, the 91-year-old philanthropist supports initiatives in education, medical research and community development.

In 2014, he gave S$50 million to the National Cancer Centre Singapore—its largest single donation to date—the majority of which will go towards funding Southeast Asia’s first proton therapy facility at the centre’s new premises, which are set to open by 2022 at the Singapore General Hospital campus. The Goh Foundation also underwrites scholarships at several Singapore universities.

As Muslims living in a multicultural and multireligious country, it is important that we open up our mind to educate ourself on other community contributions and philantrophic acts. This will assist us in appreciating and be grateful to the other community while be inspired by them. May we too be like them in being a useful member of the community. Ameen.