Philanthropist Yii donates RM2 mln to organisations, schools

KOTA KINABALU - Prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist Datuk Yii Ching Siew yesterday donated a total of RM2 million to Christian organizations and Chinese schools during his 70th birthday celebration .

The donations included RM750,000 to Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) and RM250,000 to Kuala Lumpur Methodist Hokkien Church that was established 110 years ago.
Another RM1 million were given to nine Chinese independent schools in Sabah as well as SJK(C) Che Hwa, Kolombong.

Yii said the RM1 million he donated to the Chinese schools originated from Hu Tian Sheng, who used to be his business partner for 30 years in his glove factory, YTY Industry Sdn Bhd.

“Hu gave me the RM1 million as a gift, and now I’m transferring the gift to the Chinese education in Sabah, which needs it more,” he said.

Yii presented the RM1 million donation to Kinabalu Foundation chairman Datuk Chin Chee Kee, who received the donation on behalf of the 10 Chinese schools. The donation will be channeled to the nine Chinese independent schools and SJK (C) Che Hwa by the foundation.

Hu, who could not make it to the event yesterday, had asked his secretary Helen Tan to witness the handing over of the mock cheques to the schools.

Over 1,000 local and overseas guests attended Yii’s birthday celebration. Around 500 guests specially flew in from America, Canada, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou from China, Singapore,  Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan Australia, Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan for the event.

Also present were Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah,   former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee and Datin, former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) president Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau, Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association president Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming, Sabah Dong Zong chairman Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Michael Lui, Beaufort Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Panglima Chong Nyuk Yong, Sabah Chinese Cultural Association president Datuk Chau Tet On and many other Chinese leaders.

Yii, who has retired from performing magic for 25 years, surprised his guests with a line-up of international standard magic shows yesterday.

Yii also announced his plan to hold charity magic shows, themed ‘Amazing Gracefully Gift for Chinese Education’, to raise funds for the nine Chinese independent schools and SJK(C) Che Hwa in Sabah.

“I’m contributing my magic shows to the nine Chinese independent schools. To date, Kian Kok Middle School, Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School, Pei Tsin High School Kudat, and SJK(C) Che Hwa Kolombong have accepted the offer for a fund-raising magic show.”

Yii and his personal assistant Karen Lee Vun Ya had spent every weekend for almost a year to train for his magic performances.

It was certainly a surprise to Yii’s family and friends as he had managed to keep his weekly magic training a secret from them in preparation for a mind-blowing magic show for his audience.

“I have trained for a year for my 70th birthday. When I decided to celebrate my 70th birthday, I wondered what I could present to my good friends, and I decided to give them my best internationally trained magic show.”

Yii disclosed that he was also the organizing chairman for Kinabalu Foundation 30th anniversary celebration, and  has decided to donate all the funds raised from ‘Amazing Gracefully Gift for Chinese Education’ magic shows to the nine Chinese independent schools and SJK(C) Che Hwa.

Besides Yii’s magic shows, guests were entertained by dance performances by Kian Kok Middle School students, and a performance by Kuala Lumpur Methodist Hokkien Church.

Yii’s sons, Eric and Steven, also delivered their speeches respectively at the event.
At the age of 70, Dato’ Yii Ching Siew is the epitome of good health and vitality.

Yii was often asked by relatives and friends how he could still have the stamina and energy at 70 years old.

“They asked me what I eat, whether I eat bird’s nests, cordyceps or other nutritious foods. But I never eat those.”

Yii believes in consuming healthy and balanced diet, and not to be picky or binge on food.

He also places great emphasis on work-life balance, and always put aside his business problems when he is at home.

“I do not have a phone in my bedroom. I always leave my phone in the living room.

“When I want to rest, my phone is switched off.”

And more importantly, is to have the right mindset, including being grateful, tolerant, forgiving  and treat family members and business partners with love and integrity.  That is also how Yii treats his children.

“Children may occasionally fall, and wander off on the wrong path. The important thing is to guide them to stand up when they fall,” Yii said.

Yii maintains close relationships with his children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Yii specially thanked his wife, Datin Idah Yii, whom he said has taken great care of him.

“When I come home, exhausted from work, she will give me massages and Gua sha (traditional Chinese medical treatment).

“She seldom has the need to see a doctor and I, under my wife’s care, rarely need to visit a doctor as well.”