85-Year-Old Hai-O Enterprise Founder Tan Kai Hee Passes Away
Before turning fortunes, Tan, who was born in 1937 in Kluang, Johor, suffered from poverty and hardship.
By Sadho Ram — 23 Feb 2022, 04:56 PM — Updated about 2 years ago
Hai-O Enterprise Bhd founder Tan Kai Hee passed away last night, 22 February. The multi-millionaire philanthropist was 85 years old.
Before turning fortunes, Tan, who was born in 1937 in Kluang, Johor, suffered from poverty and hardship, working as a rubber collector, a street vendor, and a bicycle repairman among other things
He set up Hai-O in 1975 with money raised among family and friends and started importing and distributing China-made herbal products in Malaysia.
The Star reported that Tan was known for his philanthropy and donated millions to various causes.
He also did not hand over his shares in his business empire, worth more than RM100 million, to his children. Instead, he placed them in a trust to go towards helping the Chinese community and to other charities.
Only a small portion of the returns are distributed to his family.
Tan was deputy secretary-general of the Labour Party of Malaya and a member of the Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front in the 1960s
Tan's former Socialist Front comrade Syed Husin Ali said that he was saddened by the loss.
"His passing is a great loss to the multi-racial Malaysian community and to me personally. I have known Kai Hee since 1960, introduced by his best friend, Dr MK Rajakumar. I know him as a figure who has long been involved in progressive politics to fight for national unity and defend the poor and oppressed," Syed said.
"After retiring from political parties he ventured into business. He was a well-known philanthropist and contributed much to the education and welfare of the people," he added.
He also held important positions at the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
Through which, Tan promoted friendship bridges between China and Malaysia.
At the time, he had said that as a Malaysian, he devotes himself to Malaysia, but as an ethnic Chinese, he will try his best to promote the development of the Malaysia-China friendship.
"I have worked hard to pursue my dreams. Now, in the second half of my life, I will pay more attention to the development of bilateral, commercial ties as well as friendship," he was quoted as saying in 2016.
