More leaders pay last respects
Published on: Friday, October 14, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Chief Minister's Department-cum-LDP President Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the passing of Puan Sri Yeh Lim York Shan on Tuesday was not only the loss of a family's matriarch, but also a respectable figure in the press industry in Sabah.Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr TC Goh said it was a great loss to the State, as Puan Sri's contributions to the newspaper industry in Sabah was immense. "She was a philanthropist and well-respected lady whose legacy will live on in the countless lives she has touched," said Goh, who is also Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Association President.
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He said Puan Sri's humble beginning in the newspaper industry together with her late husband Tan Sri Yeh Pao Tzu is something the people can learn from."They started from scratch and were able to build Daily Express and its sister paper Overseas Chinese Daily News into what it is today, through hard work and honesty."I heard that Puan Sri not only had to look after her young family but also cook for the staff as well, besides waking up early in the morning and going about running errands in a pick-up truck, without any complaints. "The burden of running the two newspapers became her responsibility after the passing of Tan Sri Yeh in 1987 and again she did not complain but stayed strong and went on to achieve great things," noted Goh.
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He hoped that the success of Puan Sri would inspire others, especially women.United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau said the contributions by both Puan Sri Yeh and late Tan Sri Yeh to the newspaper industry in Sabah is immense.
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The federal Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said under her chairmanship both the newspapers grew in influence and reach as an independent regional publication, providing its readers with informative stories.Property developer Datuk Susan Wong said the late Puan Seri Yeh was a strong woman who contributed immensely to the success of Daily Express and OCDN. After the passing of Tan Sri Yeh Pao Tzu, the founder of the two newspapers, in 1988, she took over the running of the business. Her courage to continue the legacy of her late husband remains until today the pride of many local Chinese leaders."What she did is something the Chinese community feels very proud of. She was indeed a very strong woman and a very good mother who raised her children well. One of them, Datuk Clement Yeh, has taken the leadership baton as Managing Director of the company, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd." Although busy in running the competitive newspaper business, Wong said Puan Sri Yeh remained generous with her time for various community services and charities."She was a highly respected person in the community because she contributed so much especially to education and various associations. But she remained humble all the time."We feel sad for we have lost a really good person. But she will always be in our hearts." Fellow developer Datuk Francis Goh said the late Puan Sri Yeh was a strong woman and that under their leadership (Tan Sri and Puan Sri) the Daily Express and OCDN are what they are today. Goh, who is also Malaysian Chinese Association Penampang chief, said both papers have played a key role in reporting the political history in Sabah since their establishment and remain a truly strong local voice."Before the internet, newspapers were the main source of information for the people. Both the Daily Express and the OCDN played their role well not only in providing information but also in giving a voice to the people," he said.He expressed confidence that the papers will continue to succeed under the leadership of Clement "who has inherited not only the business, but also the respected qualities of his parents".Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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