Tan Sri Dr. Lee Yan Lian (1906 – 1933) was born in Fujian Yongchun, China. His grandfather was a renowned gentry in the province while his father once served as a Minister for the Fujian Province. His father passed away when Lee was only 17 and the entire family moved to Xiamen the following year. Lee came to Kuala Lumpur in 1926 before making his way to Singapore only to return to Kuala Lumpur in 1936 where begun rubber trading in Harper Gilfillan. He built Bangunan Lee Yan Lian in 1945 and established his rubber trading business. He began venturing into real estate and construction in 1962 and rose to become a famous industrialist with operations across SoutheastAsia and Hong Kong.
Lee had many accomplishments in his two years as President of the ACCCIM, including organising the inaugural National Chinese Economic Summit in 1978, gathered the views of the Chinese business world on the New Economic Policy, spearheaded the drafting of the 10 resolutions of development for the Chinese business community. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Chinese Assembly Halls across the country, seeding the formation of the Huazong.
In 1975, Lee was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Malaya. He spent his later years with philanthropic activities, donated generously to colleges, schools, hospital, and homes for the blind and other social welfare undertakings.
