Lim Teck Hoo

Brunei Town under attack by an Australian Beaufighter aircraft in 1945Lim Teck Hoo (; 1910 – 13 March 1999) was a Bruneian aristocrat, businessman, and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in shaping Brunei's commercial and educational landscape. Known for his pioneering contributions to business and philanthropy, he transformed the Chinese community's educational opportunities, serving as chairman of Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan (CHMS, BSB), for 43 years and overseeing its development into the largest Chinese school in the country. Beyond education, he contributed to Brunei's post-war rebuilding efforts, founding several organisations such as Lim Teck Hoo Holdings and Bee Seng Shipping, and played an instrumental role in establishing community institutions like the Teng Yun Temple.

Early life Lim Teck Hoo was born in 1910 in Kinmen, Taiwan, to a farming family. His father, Lim Zhao Ying, died when Lim was only nine years old, leaving his mother, Tan Poi, to raise him and his sister. She supported the family by making and selling clothes and shoes. Lim, being a dutiful son, helped his mother by selling her goods during the day while continuing his studies at night. Despite his difficult upbringing and lack of financial means to attend school, Lim showed resilience. At the age of seventeen, with the help of relatives, he traveled to Brunei and began working as a laborer at his relative's Chop Leong Soon store in Brunei Town, earning $12 a month.

In 1962, Lim Teck Hoo founded You Li Hong in Singapore, representing the renowned Yeo's brand of tinned food and drinks, which quickly gained popularity in Brunei. His commercial ventures expanded in 1970 when he established a share trading limited company in Taiwan, allowing him to import a variety of goods, including raw materials, food products, artwork, steel, and cement. Lim also founded Bee Seng Shipping Limited Company in Hong Kong, specialising in the purchase and export of wholesale ready-made garments to international markets, and he served as chairman of the Overseas Chinese Trust Group, a subsidiary of the World Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation he co-founded in Taiwan. Although his family is no longer involved in the rubber trade, their former rubber estates have become valuable real estate for development. After the bombing of Brunei Town, Lim entered the construction and building materials industry by establishing Soon Lee Brickworks, the first clay brick manufacturer in Brunei, which remains operational today as Hup Soon Brickworks Ceramic. He played a key role in the reconstruction efforts by importing the first cargo of cement from Taiwan for Bandar Seri Begawan. Additionally, Lim founded Bee Seng Shipping in 1958, making it Brunei's first local shipping company, and actively participated in community activities organized by Tiong Hua.

As the head of the Chinese community in Brunei, it was his responsibility to make sure they followed the rules and laws of the nation and made contributions to the advancement of the Sultanate. He was tasked with carrying out study and investigation into issues pertaining to these topics in order to provide advice to the Sultan. He established Lim Teck Hoo Holdings on 6 December 1994, and named his kids and grandkids as the board of directors.

Under his leadership, CHMS grew significantly, evolving from a primary school to include secondary education and becoming the largest Chinese school in Brunei. He spearheaded numerous projects to expand the school, personally donating substantial amounts of money to fund these developments. Chung Hwa Middle School in Bandar Seri Begawan, Chung Ching Middle School in Seria, Chung Hua Middle School in Kuala Belait, Pai Yuek School in Temburong, Chung Hwa School in Tutong, Chung Hwa School in Labi, Chung Lian School in Sungai Liang, and Chung Hwa School in Kiudang were among the schools where he was most active in charitable and community projects. In honour of his contributions, the Pehin Temenggung Dato Lim Teck Hoo Building was completed and dedicated on 6 January 2008. During his leadership, the school expanded by adding classrooms to accommodate students from preschool through pre-university, solidifying its status as the largest Chinese school in Brunei. The family has maintained this commitment through similar contributions in 2018 and 2022. In addition to his dedication to Brunei's public affairs, Lim also made generous donations to several ancestral temples in Lieyu and established the Lim Teck Hoo Scholarships to support local children in their academic pursuits.

Death Lim died on Saturday, 13 March 1999. At the time of his death, he left behind a wife, five sons and nine daughters. He is buried at his own personal memorial park along Jalan Kasat, Kampong Kasat. Following his death, his son, Dato Paduka Lim Beng Thai, took over the company's business operations, carrying on his father's profession, and holding a significant position in Brunei's local and international commercial sector, with the help of his sisters and brothers working together. Chinese Ambassador Wang Haitao attended the late-nobleman's qingming ceremony on 6 April 2022.

Personal life Lim is married to Datin Ang Moi Tee. Lim Beng Cheng, Lim Ming Kiat, and Lim Ming Siong. promoted from title of Pehin Kapitan China Kornia Diraja on 12 August 1958. Lim Cheng Choo claims that the Brunei Royalty has a tradition of designating three Chinese officials, mentioning Lim Teck Hoo, who portrays Kapitan Cina, and Hong Kok Tin, who is Pehin Bendahara, as the other two.