Speech by Guest of Honour Mr Henry Kwek Hian Chuan
Speech by Guest of Honour
Mr Henry Kwek Hian Chuan
MP for Nee Soon GRC
Chairman, Sian Chay Medical Institution, Mr Toh Soon Huat, JP, BBM, PVPA.
Organizing Chairman Dr Simon Keak
Organizing Vice Chairman Mr Raymond Chua
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
A very good evening.
First and foremost, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Chairman Mr Toh Soon Huat on his recent appointment as a Justice of Peace by our President of the Republic of Singapore. This testifies the leadership of Mr Toh in leading Sian Chay Medical Institution in scaling greater heights. Please join to applaud Chairman Toh Soon Huat and his Board for a job well done in the past decade.
This evening I am happy to attend the “Love and Care Charity Dinner” organised by Sian Chay Medical Institution and chaired by Dr Simon Keak, Vice Chairman, Sian Chay Medical Institution and co-chaired Mr Raymond Chua, Treasurer , Sian Chay Medical Institution. Both are active grassroots leaders and business leaders. I understand from them that the Organising Committee already raised over $380,000 prior to the Charity Dinner. But they need to raise more at the charity auction tonite to sponsor the distribution of Rice Dumplings and Mooncakes for the festive seasons this year. So do give them your support.
Established in 1901, Sian Chay Medical Institution has been offering free TCM consultation and subsidized medication for the community regardless of race, religion, and nationality for over a century, rendering benefits to the population and serving close to a million patient visits. To propagate its philanthropic culture, the 117-year-old Sian Chay Medical Institution has been actively promoting charitable endeavours in Singapore, and motivating the younger generation to do good. Last year, I attended the “Musical Charity Concert” jointly organized by Sian Chay and Project Volta comprising Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls School, Raffles Girls’ School and Raffles Institution. The wonderful performances warmed my heart and energized me with boundless vitality. This event has enabled our youth to understand what charity entails, inspired them with positive energy, planted the seeds of love in their hearts, and given them vision for a better tomorrow.
Another youth group that is actively involved in Sian Chay’s charity events is the JCI movement in Singapore.
The local chapters have been organising fundraising projects ; eg Flag Day, Charity Draw, Charity Concert etc in aid of Sian Chay since 2015. I understand that the collective efforts of the JCI movement in supporting Sian Chay since 2010 has reached $5 million mark. This is a very healthy development engaging the young generation in the TCM community.
In line with the new generation and trend in philanthropy, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution Mr. Toh Soon Huat has refined the century-old philanthropic spirit of Sian Chay into the 5 core values of ”Forgiveness, Universal
Love, Compassion, Gratitude & Blessing”. This concept is being incorporated into the daily life of everyone at Sian Chay to enhance the well-being of more Singaporeans, and promote the idea of “benefit from the society, paying back to the society. The well-to-do ones can donate funds while others can contribute by their efforts; and together everyone doing their part for charity and trying their best to look after the disadvantaged in the society.
I am pleased to see this support and encouragement for more people to step forward to serve the community regardless of race, language o religion.
Mr. Toh also attempts to promote the concept of: ”Nation Progresses, Family Prospers. Family Harmony, Successful Endeavours. Forward with the Nation, Bonding with the People. This has certainly instills more confidence and belief in Sian Chay, and garner greater love for Sian Chay.
I wish to thank Mr. Toh for his good work, as he has transformed Sian Chay to something extraordinary, raising its profile and widening its horizon – which is “Universal love is boundless”. Such universal love requires devotion and dedication in the long term. It adds vibrancy and greatness to the benevolent people.
I would like to thank Sian Chay Medical Institution for its contributions to the society and nation, and wish everyone with a blissful family, wonderful life and successful career!
Thank you.