TWENTY businessmen were recognised at the 2nd Malaysia Golden Entrepreneur Awards for their outstanding entrepreneurship and successes in their respective fields.

Topping the list was Bina Puri Holdings group managing director Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the award presentation ceremony.

The other recipients of the main awards were MK Wedding founder Datuk Calvin Khiu (Supreme Achievement Award), B.T.T Travel Services executive director Kwan Poh Choy (Outstanding Entrepreneur Award), Tint Auto managing director Datuk Teoh Hwa Cheng (Excellence Entrepreneur Award) and VWA founder Dr Samantha Ng (Innovation Entrepreneur Award).

The awards ceremony, organised by the Federation of Malaysia Chinese Guilds Association (Hang Tuan), was also held in conjunction with the association’s 94th anniversary celebrations.

It is aimed at recognising business leaders while encouraging young entrepreneurs to expand their businesses overseas.

MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who attended the ceremony, encouraged the young people to venture into entrepreneurship and start their own businesses.

He also urged businessmen to come up with comprehensive plans and strategies to draw more investors from China to the country.

Also present was MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

At the event, Hang Tuan also presented a plaque with the Chinese characters “zao fu ren qun” (literally translated as “bringing prosperity to the people”) to its president Datuk Chai Kim Sen to mark his appointment as a senator.

Chai, who is also MCA deputy national organising secretary, received his Senatorship in June last year.

Recipients of the Golden Entrepreneur Award included Ban Kah Chai Group chairman Loo Teong Hee (pharmaceutical), Perkasa Jauhari director Chong Chu Chen (construction), Abeille d’Or Corporation managing director June Liao (healthcare), Happy Alliance managing director Tan Seng Chon (food industries), Besteel deputy managing director Lew Heng Mun (machinery and mechanical), Hee Lai Ton Restaurant founder Yap Yook Wah (food and beverage) and Kimmark managing director Datuk Tan Boon King (manufacturing).

The others were Clara International Beauty Group founder Prof Datin Dr Clara Chee (cosmetics), Eduwis managing director Simon Tee (early childhood education), Eakonmech managing director Datuk Yaw Chan Choy (electrical engineering), Beneithem founder Lee Beng Huat (furniture), Mr Tailor founder Ling Ee Ching (tailoring), TMC Edu Management chief operations officer Joseph Wang (education), Alliance Education principal Ng Chii Shiang (franchise) and My Group International chief executive officer Lim Kee Siang (newcomer).

-The STAR-