尊敬的中國駐馬來西亞大使歐陽玉靖閣下的代表——王家榮公使銜參贊兼總領事,
大會貴賓——馬來西亞吉隆坡蕉賴國會議員 YB 陳國偉先生,
各位嘉賓、各位朋友,大家晚上好!
首先,我謹代表馬來西亞陳嘉庚基金,歡迎大家出席今晚的「嘉庚之夜暨第十一屆陳嘉庚精神獎頒獎典禮」。衷心感謝大家多年來對基金的支持,讓我們能夠繼續推動嘉庚精神。
今年的主題是「嘉業守正·庚行遠志」。
陈嘉庚基金成立至今已有13年(2013年4月獲社團註冊局批准,2013年10月6日正式成立),經常有人問我:陳嘉庚先生離開我們六十多年了,今天的社會與他當年所處的時代也有很大差別,我們為什麼至今還要談弘揚嘉庚精神?
我認為,原因很簡單:時代可以改變,但有些基本價值不能丟。
陳嘉庚先生是一位企業家,但他並沒有把人生的目標局限在經營事業、累積財富。他重視誠信,關心國家和人民,更把大量个人資源投入教育。他所留下的,不只是事業成就,而是一種對社會負責的態度。
這也是今天我們談嘉庚精神的意義。
第一,做生意要守正,賺錢也要有企业責任。
企業需要盈利,這是正常的事。但除了賺多少錢,我們也應該問:這些財富是怎樣賺來的?企業有沒有善待員工、尊重合作夥伴,並為社會創造價值?
陳嘉庚先生讓我們看到,經營事業與回饋社會並不矛盾。企業能夠創造就業、培養人才,再把部分資源投入教育和公益,就是一種正面的社會力量。
所以,「守正」不是守舊,而是在追求發展的同時,不忘誠信與責任。
第二,愛國愛民不能只停留在口號,而要落實在行動。
馬來西亞是一個多元民族、多元文化的國家。我們可以珍惜自己的文化與傳統,也應該尊重其他社群,關心國家的整體發展。
我一直認為,嘉庚精神不應只屬於某一個族群。它也可以成為不同文化、不同社群之間的橋梁,讓大家增加了解、建立互信,一起為社會做事。
真正關心國家,不只是關心自己所屬的社群,更要思考:我們能為國家、為社會、為下一代做些什麼?
第三,教育是嘉庚精神最重要的傳承之一。
陳嘉庚先生傾資興學,因為他明白,企業的盛衰可能有起有落,但教育培養出來的人才,可以長遠地影響社會。
今天,科技和人工智能不斷改變我們的生活,年輕人需要知識和專業能力,也需要獨立思考、明辨是非和担当責任的能力。
教育不只是讓一個人取得文憑、找到工作,更重要的是讓他有能力作出正確的選擇,並為社會創造價值。
因此,支持教育不只是學校或政府的責任,也是企業和整個社會务必共同承擔的責任。
此外,嘉庚精神還提醒我們,面對不公義,不能因為個人利益或外在壓力而輕易放棄原則。行善固然重要,但有原則、有同理心,願意為社會承擔責任,同樣重要。
各位朋友,正當經營、愛國愛民、重視教育、明辨是非,這些價值並不是彼此分開的。它們共同提醒我們:一個人的成就,不應只看個人得到了什麼,也要看他為社會留下了什麼。
這也是馬來西亞陳嘉庚基金多年來舉辦「陳嘉庚精神獎」的目的。
今晚的第十一屆陳嘉庚精神獎,是要肯定那些把個人或团体成就與社會責任結合起來的實踐者。我們表揚的不只是他們過去的成績,更是他們如何把理念落實在行動之中。
我們不需要每個人都成為陳嘉庚,但每個人都可以從自己的崗位做起。企業家可以堅持誠信經營,教育工作者可以用心培養下一代,社會人士可以關心公共事務,年輕人也可以思考自己能為社會貢獻什麼。
傳承嘉庚精神,不只是記住陳嘉庚先生做過什麼,更是把他所重視的價值,落實在我們今天所做的事情上。
最後,我衷心感謝所有贊助人、合作夥伴、同仁同道,以及長期支持馬來西亞陳嘉庚基金的朋友。因為有大家的支持,我們才能繼續推動教育、公益與文化工作。
今年的主題「嘉業守正·庚行遠志」,提醒我們在發展企业時守住企业伦理。在服務社會時放眼長遠。
陳嘉庚先生當年播下的種子,今天已經影響了許多人。我們這一代人也有責任繼續播種,讓這份精神在馬來西亞延續下去,為下一代創造更好的未來。
謝謝大家!
陳友信主席致歡迎詞
2026年10月18日
MALAYSIA TAN KAH KEE FOUNDATION DINNER 2026 & THE 11TH TAN KAH KEE AWARD
Welcome Address by Datuk Tan Yew Sing
Chairman of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Malaysia
18 October 2026
Mr Wang Jiarong, Minister Counsellor and Consul General, representing His Excellency Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia;
Our distinguished guest, YB Tan Kok Wai, Member of Parliament for Cheras, Kuala Lumpur;
Distinguished guests, dear friends, Good evening!
First of all, on behalf of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Malaysia, I warmly welcome all of you to the Malaysia Tan Kah Kee Foundation Dinner 2026 and the 11th Tan Kah Kee Award Presentation Ceremony.
I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your continued support over the years, which has enabled us to carry on promoting the spirit of Tan Kah Kee.
This year’s theme is “嘉業守正·庚行遠志” —upholding integrity in enterprise and pursuing a vision for the future.
The Tan Kah Kee Foundation Malaysia was established in 2013, following approval from the Registrar of Societies in April that year, and was officially established on 6 October 2013. Over the years, people have often asked me: Mr Tan Kah Kee passed away more than sixty years ago, and today’s society is very different from the world he lived in. Why do we still continue to promote his spirit?
I believe the answer is simple: times may change, but certain fundamental values must never be lost.
Mr Tan Kah Kee was an entrepreneur, but he did not limit his life’s purpose to running businesses and accumulating wealth. He valued integrity, cared about his country and its people, and invested a substantial amount of his personal resources in education.
His legacy is not merely one of business success. It is also a lasting example of taking responsibility for society.
That is why the spirit of Tan Kah Kee remains meaningful today.
First, business must be conducted with integrity, and profit must come with corporate responsibility.
Businesses need to make profits. That is only natural. But beyond asking how much money a business makes, we should also ask: How was that wealth earned? Does the business treat its employees fairly, respect its business partners, and create value for society?
Mr Tan Kah Kee showed us that running a business and giving back to society are not contradictory. When businesses create jobs, nurture talent, and devote part of their resources to education and charitable causes, they become a positive force in society.
Therefore, upholding integrity does not mean resisting change. It means pursuing growth without losing sight of integrity and responsibility.
Second, patriotism and care for the people must not remain mere slogans. They must be put into action.
Malaysia is a country of diverse ethnicities and cultures. We can cherish our own culture and traditions while respecting other communities and caring about the development of the nation as a whole.
I have always believed that the Tan Kah Kee spirit should not belong to any one ethnic community alone. It can also serve as a bridge between different cultures and communities, helping us build greater understanding and mutual trust, and encouraging us to work together for the good of society.
To truly care about our country, we must look beyond our own communities and ask ourselves: What can we do for our country, for society, and for the next generation?
Third, education is one of the most important ways to carry forward the Tan Kah Kee spirit.
Mr Tan Kah Kee devoted his wealth to establishing and supporting schools because he understood that businesses may rise and fall, but the people nurtured through education can have a lasting impact on society.
Today, technology and artificial intelligence are continually changing our lives. Young people need knowledge and professional skills, but they also need the ability to think independently, distinguish right from wrong, and take responsibility for their actions.
Education is not merely about obtaining a diploma or finding a job. More importantly, it should equip people to make sound decisions and create value for society.
Therefore, supporting education is not solely the responsibility of schools or the government. It is a responsibility that businesses and society as a whole must also share.
The Tan Kah Kee spirit also reminds us not to abandon our principles when faced with injustice, personal interests or external pressure. Doing good is important, but so are integrity, empathy and a willingness to take responsibility for society.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Integrity in business, patriotism and care for the people, a commitment to education, and the ability to distinguish right from wrong are not separate values. Together, they remind us that a person’s achievements should not be measured only by what he or she has gained, but also by what he or she has contributed to society.
This is the purpose behind the Tan Kah Kee Award, which the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Malaysia has continued to present over the years.
The 11th Tan Kah Kee Award, presented this evening, recognises individuals and organisations that have connected their achievements with social responsibility. We honour not only their past accomplishments, but also the way they have translated their values and ideals into action.
We do not all need to become another Tan Kah Kee. Each of us can begin in our own role. Entrepreneurs can uphold integrity in business. Educators can dedicate themselves to nurturing the next generation. Members of society can take an interest in public affairs. Young people can reflect on how they can contribute to society.
To carry forward the Tan Kah Kee spirit is not merely to remember what Mr Tan Kah Kee did. It is to put the values he upheld into practice through what we do today.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our sponsors, partners, colleagues and friends who have continued to support the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Malaysia. With your support, we can continue our work in education, philanthropy and culture.
This year’s theme, “嘉業守正·庚行遠志”, reminds us to uphold business ethics as we develop our enterprises, and to look towards the long term as we serve society.
The seeds planted by Mr Tan Kah Kee have influenced many people over the years. Our generation also has a responsibility to continue sowing those seeds, so that his spirit can live on in Malaysia and help create a better future for the next generation.
Thank you!