The Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Foundation

The Foundation was set up in 1985 by Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng (1921-1993) as a vehicle for his philanthropic activities. The Foundation and its donors seek to maintain our Founder’s legacy of giving back to Society with an emphasis on the importance of education and giving educational opportunities to the less privileged. In support of its educational activities, the Foundation annually awards educational scholarships with the aim to helping deserving but less privileged youth to further their tertiary studies.

Tan Sri Lee, a resident of Perak, was a self-made businessman and entrepreneur who achieved fame and fortune in the plantation industry. He is regarded as one of many philanthropists who had donated millions to various educational and charitable causes for the benefit of all races in Malaysia.

Our Founder strongly believed a person should conduct his or her life with integrity and he valued the traits of loyalty, honesty and perseverance with high regard. He applied what he believed to the way he lived and worked, which allowed him to gain respect from the people around him. He lived without airs about himself or his wealth and often left a deep impression on people he came into contact with, regardless of status or position.

During his younger days, Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng studied at Yuk Choy secondary school in Perak but had his studies interrupted by the Second World War. After the war, he resumed his education thereafter at St. Michael’s Institution, Ipoh but was unable to pursue higher education due to the need to help out in his family’s tin mining business. However his interest in education and learning remained with him for the rest of his life. To him, it was not paper qualifications that were important, but the gaining and application of the knowledge learnt that mattered most. Through much reading, questioning and seeking, Tan Sri Lee taught himself about business, plantations and politics as well as also learning to speak fluent English.

Recipients of the Foundation’s scholarships are encouraged to commit to life-long development of good character, practice continual learning and strive for greater heights. We hope that the recipients will contribute back to Society, once they have achieved some success, to provide help and ensure better lives for less privileged members of the next generation.