Vincent Tan and brother Danny Tan among recipients of Hokkien Associations’ awards

SERI KEMBANGAN: Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun and brother Tan Sri Danny Tan Chee Sing were among 62 Malaysian Hokkiens to be recognised at the Federation of Hokkien Associations Malaysia's (FHAM) 60th anniversary today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who was present to present the awards, earlier in his speech described the award recipients as those who have achieved remarkable successes.
"Today is a historic and meaningful celebration. As a government, we always recognise the contribution of the Chinese community to our country's development, and in particular the Hokkien community who represent the vast majority of the successful entrepreneurs in Malaysia," he said.
Vincent Tan, who founded Berjaya in 1984, was the recipient of the Malaysian Fujian's Exemplary Leaders Award, alongside 23 others.
The list included Malaysia's richest man Robert Kuok Hock Nien, YTL Corporation founder Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, IOI Group executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, Genting Group chief Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay and national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
Vincent Tan was however not present to collect the award, and was represented by his nephew Datuk Dickson Tan, who is also Danny Tan's son.
The tycoon started his working career as a bank clerk when he was only 17, before becoming a life insurance agent.
He eventually bagged the McDonald's franchise for Malaysia in 1980, and has grown to become one of the top entrepreneurs in the country through his Berjaya conglomerate.
Vincent Tan's fortune now includes a stake in privately-held U Mobile, as well as owning three football clubs around the world including Welsh outfit Cardiff City.
Danny Tan, meanwhile, was one of 38 recipients of the Malaysian Fujian's Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.
He was the founder of Tropicana Corp Bhd in 1992, and remains the main shareholder of the company, despite having retired from the day-to-day management of the company and handing the reigns over to group CEO Datuk Yau Kok Seng and his son, deputy group CEO Dickson Tan.
Danny Tan was responsible for developing the Tropicana Golf and Country Club in the mid 1990s, among other things.
Other recipients of the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award included Hua Lian Group chairman Tan Sri Ta Kin Yan, insurance industry veteran Tan Sri Tee Tiam Lee and Ekovest Bhd managing director Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng.
The award recipients were picked for their contributions to the community and country, representing different segments and categories, including education, literature, sports and arts.
FHAM president Tan Sri Khoo Chai Kaa's in his speech, said: "Their great achievements in the politics, economy, education and cultural scene can be a role model for generations to come."