Vincent Tan donates RM25.6 mil to 90 NGOs

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23, 2014): Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan has presented RM25.6 million to 90 non-governmental organisations in yet another act of philanthrophy in conjunction with his 62nd birthday today.
The corporate figure, making the contribution a day earlier at the 4th Berjaya Founder's Day celebration at Berjaya Times Square, urged the affluent to give some of their wealth back to society.
"The wealthy should try to give back to the society half of their earnings. If they cannot afford half, than donate less than that. Even 10% would be sufficient," he said in his speech at the function graced by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultanah of Pahang, Sultanah Hajah Kalsom, and consort of the Sultan of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofia.
The donations came from his personal foundation, Better Malaysia Foundation, and Berjaya Cares Foundation.
Vincent said society creates the wealth "and it's only fair that at least some of it goes back to those who need it."
He hoped more would be inspired to contribute to causes they believe in, acknowledging that some carried out acts of charity without fanfare or publicity.
Vincent said he had been doing acts of charity quietly until his son and Berjaya chairman, Datuk Robin Tan, convinced him that the community should know what he was doing so that others could emulate him.
He also touched on the need for Malaysians to know English as it was a proven international medium of communication and business.
Robin, in his speech earlier, said his father and Berjaya have collectively contributed a total of RM64 million to date during Founder's Day celebrations.
"Our founder and my father, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, is very passionate about this, looking beyond social divide, race and religion in his giving," he said.