KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, founder of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), died at a private hospital here this morning.
He was 75 years old.
It comes just a week after he was admitted due to health complications.
The exact cause of his death is still a matter of speculation, although the university on May 25 said Lim suffered a fall at home recently.
The statement was issued to address rumours of his death at the time, supposedly due to Covid-19.
The wake will be held on Thursday, from 2pm to 8pm, and Friday, from 10.30am to 2pm, at Hall 5, Nirvana 2 Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Dewan Bahasa, Bukit Seputeh.
Confirming his death, Lim’s children, Lim Kok Wing Jr and Tiffanee Marie Lim, described him as a legend and great man with a vision who helped put Malaysia on the map when it comes to education.
“We are deeply heartbroken over his passing, and wish to be allowed privacy at this time for us to mourn a man we deeply love,” they said in a statement.
LUCT, in a statement, confirmed Lim’s death, but stopped short of revealing its cause.
“A visionary, Lim’s career has been synonymous with creativity, and he assisted in developing innovative education globally, empowering especially the developing world.
“We are humbled by the loving condolences and support extended by so many, and ask for privacy as we mourn a man we are very proud of.”
Lim started his career in the creative field. In 1975, he founded his own advertising company and the nation’s first professional local creative agency, Wings Creative Consultants, when he was just in his 20s.
Recognised as a pioneer of innovation in creative education in Malaysia, he later ventured into education and founded LUCT in 1991.
Among others, the philanthropist played an instrumental role in bringing new legislation to improve and broaden tertiary education in the country, and contributed heavily to the introduction of the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996.
In 2002, LUCT became one of the first private institutions in the country to be recognised as a university college, and attained full-fledged university status in 2007.
In his lifetime, Lim received more than 730 awards, honours and recognitions from industries, governments and civil society groups across five continents, said the varsity.
Among his most notable recognitions was receiving South Africa’s highest national honour, the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, for his contributions to ending apartheid when he helped strategise Nelson Mandela’s victorious presidential campaign in 1994.
He remains Malaysia’s sole recipient of the award.
Lim was also called upon, in various capacities, to advise a number of past Malaysian prime ministers on numerous issues. – The Vibes, June 1, 2021
