PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay (pic), a prominent businessman and philanthropist, has passed away – to the surprise of his close friends.

In a statement, his family said: “We are deeply sad­den­ed by the loss of the head of our family, Tan Sri Dato Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay, but comforted that he has gone home to our Lord Jesus Christ. We have had the privilege of enjoying his pre­sence for 88 years.”