Kwek Leng Joo’s legacy will endure, says PM
A file photo showing Mr Kwek Leng Joo on a photographic expedition in Sikkim to take pictures for his "The Secret Garden" exhibition. Photo: CDL
SINGAPORE — The late property tycoon Kwek Leng Joo was a champion of the environment, a leader of corporate social responsibility and a fine photographer who had “so much more to give”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (Nov 17) in offering his condolences to his widow, Mrs Alice Kwek.
Mr Lee and his wife, Mdm Ho Ching, were in Turkey and were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Kwek’s passing. They paid their last respects at Mr Kwek’s wake this evening.
The deputy chairman of property developer City Developments (CDL) died in his sleep yesterday morning after a sudden heart attack, and is survived by his wife and two sons. Other visitors to the wake today included Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman.
Barely a fortnight ago, Mr Kwek and painter Lin Lu Zai had shown Mr Lee and Mdm Ho around their latest exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore, recalled Mr Lee.
“He put his talent in photography to good use, raising funds for charities and causes. He also created awards to help develop young photographers and was a strong supporter of the Singapore International Photography Festival,” wrote Mr Lee in his condolence letter.
Mr Kwek, who died at the age of 62, often photographed nature and had told Mr Lee he visited the Botanic Gardens several times a week, always with a camera. Singapore’s bid to make the gardens a UNESCO World Heritage Site could not have succeeded without Mr Kwek, who provided valuable support together with his CDL team, said Mr Lee.
Mr Kwek contributed photos to an exhibition, used in the dossier Singapore submitted to UNESCO. After the successful bid, he published the photos in a book titled Embrace.
“I am glad that he lived to see the success of the bid. We could not have done it without him,” wrote Mr Lee. He noted Mr Kwek’s efforts in sustainability and green building innovation, and how he received the President’s Award for the Environment this year.
And under Mr Kwek’s leadership between 1993 and 2005, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry made significant changes such as bringing in female council members and amending the chamber constitution to abolish clan-based elections.
“Leng Joo’s legacy will endure. We hope you and your family will be comforted by the many seeds that he has planted, which will help keep Singapore green and eco-friendly for many years to come,” wrote Mr Lee.
Other parties that sent their condolences today were the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS).
The SBF, on behalf of the Singapore business community, noted Mr Kwek’s significant role in its founding in 2002. Amid rising globalisation, the Singapore Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SFCCI) was urged in 1998 to examine how it could restructure to be more effective and better promote Singapore’s national interests, said SBF. Mr Kwek was then the SFCCI’s president and it proposed that SBF succeed it, “which would be more representative of the business community” and have access to sustainable funding.
“Creating an apex business chamber among existing business organisations that have strong roots, size and financial strength was delicate business,” said the SBF. Mr Kwek also served as vice-chairman of the SBF Council from 2002 to June 2008.
SNEF and GCNS paid tribute to Mr Kwek’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, with SNEF noting CDL was among the first company to support the corporate social responsibility movement by joining GCNS’ predecessor. When the United Nations Global Compact was officially launched in Singapore, Mr Kwek was among the first 10 CEOs who signed their support.
GCNS vice-president Victor Tay said the business community has lost a “respectable leader” who was a “passionate advocate of corporate social responsibility”. Mr Kwek, its president from 2012, was re-elected this year. The organisation facilitates progress of companies that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with the United Nations Global Compact’s 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
