Businessman believes helping others brings lifetime of happiness

Kong (front, centre) receiving the award from Dr Baskaran. With them are Lim (right), (back row, from left) Chan, Shashi and Devika.

IF YOU want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.

This was the message Nirvana Asia Group founder Tan Sri Kong Hon Kong conveyed in his speech upon receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary Clubs International District 3300 district governor Dr Baskaran Gopalan.

Kong was nominated by Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya president Olivia Lim after she was told by the bereavement care company’s chief finance officer, about Kong’s charitable acts.

Lim said the award was a symbol of appreciation to recipients for making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

Kong had contributed more than RM22.9mil of his personal wealth to education, medical and humanitarian causes in the past five years.

In accepting the Rotary Club’s recognition, he expressed hope that such awards would encourage more people to do good and contribute to society.

Kong is no stranger to life’s struggles. He grew up in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, where both his parents were rubber tappers.

Remembering his elder brother who had helped the family make ends meet, the experience impressed upon Kong that there would be less poverty if only people were more willing to extend a helping hand to those in need.

“Of course, people have taken advantage of me.

“There were times when I have felt that the cause was not worthy but due to pressure from certain people, I have given in,” said Kong of his journey as a philanthropist.

In principle, Kong said he firmly believed that everyone must work hard, persevere and be courageous in the face of adversity.

“But at some point in life, people will require support either from family or members of their community.

“As someone who truly wants to see an improved society, I see the act of nation building and giving back to society as part of my responsibility,” he said.

Kong’s favourite causes are humanitarian missions and cultural preservation.

Also present at the event were Rotary Ara Damansara president Chan Sai Chok, Rotary District 3300 assistant governor Capt Shashi Dharan, Rotary Club Shah Alam president Chua Keng Soon, Rotary Club of Subang president Devika, Rotary Club of Old Klang Road president Datuk Dr Vallaipan Perumal and Rotary Club of Greater KL president Santhi Karuppiah.

The Paul Harris Fellow Award is named after a Chicago lawyer who founded the international service organisation in 1905.

Other Malaysians who have been conferred the award previously include former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.