Cheong Yoke Choy

Cheong Yoke Choy, JP, OBE (Chinese: 張郁才; 16 July 1873 – 26 May 1958) was an influential Chinese pioneer businessman and philanthropist who lived through the British Malaya era; the Japanese Occupation; the armed conflict against the Communist Party of Malaya; and even witnessed the early dawn of the newly independent Federation of Malaya. During his lifetime, he became one of the early developers of Kuala Lumpur, together with several prominent figures from the Chinese community at the time. Yoke Choy stood out almost in the stature of Yap Ah Loy, Yap Kwan Seng and Loke Yew as leader of the community of his time. He adapted into a Malaya at a most crucial period of social and economic transition. He became a pioneer in many business fields such as in tin mining, banking, property and in cinema entertainment. He incorporated innovation and early technology into his tin mines and his cinemas. He setup or supported institutions where there were none before, such as schools, Chinese chambers of commerce, and clan associations. Few were recognised as a community leader in the way that he was. He was well respected, much loved, and affectionately known as 'The Elderly Philanthropist' for all the charitable work he drove and supported even at an advanced age. It should be noted however, that Cheong was still a relatively young man at 33 when he first started to set aside time and money for what he regarded as worthy causes to help his community, and philanthropy was truly a life-long mission for him.