Opening of Tan Kok Ping Hall

The Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) heritage building was once dilapidated and unsightly. It was in 2013 when PCCC celebrated its 110th Anniversary, our Executive Advisor, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping proposed that the building be restored in conjunction with Georgetown’s status as the Unesco World Cultural Heritage City.

Thereafter, a Restoration Committee was set up under the leadership of our Vice President,  Dato’ Finn Choong Khuat Seng. With the cooperation of the architects, the building has been restored to its former glory in accordance to the historical architectural style.

It is undeniable that without the initiative of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping, this PCCC building would not have been restored.

Since 1978, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping has served PCCC in various capacities  and as President for 12 years. He is now the Executive Advisor of PCCC. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping is the longest serving President of PCCC.

In his close to 40 years’ service to PCCC, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping has pioneered a few unprecedented projects.

He is known for his tenacity and innovation in keeping with the changes of time. He initiated the reformation of the organization structure of PCCC, which included amendments to PCCC Rules and Constitution, the collection of Secretariat Fee to fund the administrative expenditure and to improve the quality of service of PCCC secretariat to the members.

He took the lead to modernize the administrative and secretariat of PCCC keeping in time with a modern trade organization. In order to groom the successors for PCCC, he actively advocated the establishment of Young Entrepreneur Section and supported their activities. Inspired by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping, The Young Entrepreneur Section of PCCC has been the most active. His vision has brought  reformation, progress, stability and vitality to PCCC.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping is also praiseworthy for leading PCCC with his influence and charisma, making PCCC an influential and well-recognised organization. It is worth mentioning that with his direct involvement, the Penang/Myanmar Barter Trade was successfully restored in 1998. In 1990, he was appointed a Member of the Second National Economic Consultative Council by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s Prime Minister at that time. In 2012, he came forward to lead the protest against the registration of the patented industrial design of joss stick.

PCCC has always been maintaining close relationship with the governments. Under the leadership of Tan Sri Dato Seri Tan Kok Ping, PCCC submitted numerous   memoranda to the governments proposing constructive recommendations for the economic development and betterment of Penang.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping always emphasizes the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Under his leadership, PCCC has launched several fund raising campaigns for educational and charitable causes.

To commemorate Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping’s long term contribution to PCCC, the General Committee of PCCC resolved to name this hall 'Tan Kok Ping Hall' at our  committee’s meeting held on 25th July 2014. Meanwhile, we hope that the vision and contributions of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping will be a role model for the younger generation of PCCC.