He sounds like a really good man

[BuiKia]

The former boss of Emporium Holdings Group passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 87.

Mr Lim Tow Yong, who returned to Singapore from Brunei just last month, died of heart failure. He was recommended to undergo surgery last November, but he put it off in the hopes of hosting one more banquet for his staff, said Shin Min Daily News.

Last month, about 1,700 of his former employees attended the $350,000 banquet he threw for them at the Swissotel the Stamford hotel. However, by then, Mr Lim could not make it. Instead, he was warded at the National University Hospital, reported The Straits Times.

Mr Lim's success story is not without its roadbumps. He and his brothers started Emporio Group in the 1960s. From a $10 million turnover in its first year, by 1984, the retail chain had expanded to Malaysia and Hong Kong with a $300 million turnover.

By the mid-80s, though, the firm was saddled with debts due to the recession and bought over by a Hong Kong firm.

When he was 72, Mr Lim was declared a bankrupt.

In this troubled time, he became inspired to recover and work harder, after 800 of his former employees joined forces to throw a special party for him.

In a Sunday Times interview in 2006, Mr Lim, saying he's thought about it every day for the past ten years, said: 'I told myself that I must work harder and one day pay them back.'

In 1999, he ventured into business once again, with shops in Sabah, Labuan and Brunei.

At the age of 82, Mr Lim was once again a millionaire, said ST.

In 2006, he reached out to his former employees to invite them to dinner. He spent almost $300,000 and gave each employee a red packet containing $100.

This year, apart from the dinner, Mr Lim also donated $100,000 to Ren Ci Hospital.

Mr Lim's wake will be held at the Grace Hall of Mount Vernon Sanctuary until Wednesday, the day of the funeral.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, four daughters, 12 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.


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[Scrooball (clone)]

Sounds better than LHL who only gave $350,000 despite being much richer.

 

[no_faith]

if its true, no matter how good a general is, he still needs his soldiers to win the war.

 

[melzp]

Mr Lim's success story is not without its roadbumps. He and his brothers started Emporio Group in the 1960s. From a $10 million turnover in its first year, by 1984, the retail chain had expanded to Malaysia and Hong Kong with a $300 million turnover.

Cannot compare with CUNT.

 

[Raiders]

Mr Lim's success story is not without its roadbumps. He and his brothers started Emporio Group in the 1960s. From a $10 million turnover in its first year, by 1984, the retail chain had expanded to Malaysia and Hong Kong with a $300 million turnover.

Cannot compare with CUNT.

I remembered the present kovan shopping centre used to be emporium. Used to go there as a primary-secondary schoolboy. The place is old and run down, reminds me of those batam shopping centres. I think that was what the problem.

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. yes, no doubt about it.
2. the deceased individual was some kind & considerate soul.
3. i had an ex-colleague who was working in the emporium group.
4. she sang praises of the deceased although she was from the rank & file.
5. the bottom rank too!

 

[Raiders]

hi there


1. yes, no doubt about it.
2. the deceased individual was some kind & considerate soul.
3. i had an ex-colleague who was working in the emporium group.
4. she sang praises of the deceased although she was from the rank & file.
5. the bottom rank too!

Such a man lives happily and go peacefully. He earned that. Unlike a certain politician we have...

 

[streetsmart73]

Such a man lives happily and go peacefully. He earned that. Unlike a certain politician we have...

hi there


1. hahaha!
2. at 89 still talking cock & instructing.
3. i really need some good super long weekend thing.

 

[melzp]

Such a man lives happily and go peacefully. He earned that. Unlike a certain politician we have...

Not like someone who says "there's no free lunch"

 

[zeddy]

I remember as a schoolboy goin on a shoplifting spree at the old Bedok Emporium back then in the early 90s.. Me and my mates used to steal mechanical pencils, Tamiya car parts... Security was bit lax then so were never caught..Anyway, kind bosses like Mr Lim Tow Yong are a rarity now.. He should be an example to all the big bosses in Spore..

 

[tonychat]

I remember as a schoolboy goin on a shoplifting spree at the old Bedok Emporium back then in the early 90s.. Me and my mates used to steal mechanical pencils, Tamiya car parts... Security was bit lax then so were never caught..Anyway, kind bosses like Mr Lim Tow Yong are a rarity now.. He should be an example to all the big bosses in Spore..

you are already developing sinkie behaviour when you are young... that is so horrible!!!

 

[Raiders]

Not like someone who says "there's no free lunch"

Ah brother, who said that? Sorry, I do not read Singapore newspapers..

 

[hotbot]

dun know why i prefer metro, i still owe them a luke skywalker figure...:p

I remember as a schoolboy goin on a shoplifting spree at the old Bedok Emporium back then in the early 90s.. Me and my mates used to steal mechanical pencils, Tamiya car parts... Security was bit lax then so were never caught..Anyway, kind bosses like Mr Lim Tow Yong are a rarity now.. He should be an example to all the big bosses in Spore..

 

[kulgai]

I remember as a schoolboy goin on a shoplifting spree at the old Bedok Emporium back then in the early 90s.. Me and my mates used to steal mechanical pencils, Tamiya car parts... Security was bit lax then so were never caught..Anyway, kind bosses like Mr Lim Tow Yong are a rarity now.. He should be an example to all the big bosses in Spore..

Gosh, was that what led to his downfall?

 

[GoldenDragon]

I have seen one of his sons. No idea which one. In the late 70s at Colombo Court, he dresses machiam playboy. I think their HQ was upstairs.

 

[breaknews]

Oz angmo boss better. After he sold his bus service, he gave his employees up to six figures salaries!

Employees nearly fainted when they see six figures amount when using their ATMs!

Now that is really profit sharing, only angmo civilization can do it, why can't Asians?

Keep hoarding billions in Temasek and GIC for fish?

 

[no_faith]

O

Now that is really profit sharing, only angmo civilization can do it, why can't Asians?

Keep hoarding billions in Temasek and GIC for fish?

the typical local boss seldom profit sharing. Usually they hug tight tight dunno why. perhaps wan to keep for his next generation.

 

[presby]

I was working at the Emporium in Lucky Plaza in the late 70's. I knew the staff a lot from the store. In those days, most Singaporean are poor and cannot afford nice things. I did not meet the boss but we were shown a video of his humble beginning.

 

[presby]

I mean the Emporium staff stole from the store.

 

[Unrepented]

No wonder you are full of praises for Tin Tin.:o

I remember as a schoolboy goin on a shoplifting spree at the old Bedok Emporium back then in the early 90s.. Me and my mates used to steal mechanical pencils, Tamiya car parts... Security was bit lax then so were never caught..Anyway, kind bosses like Mr Lim Tow Yong are a rarity now.. He should be an example to all the big bosses in Spore..