Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik (1912-1988) received his childhood education at a primary school attached to the Ling Nan University in Guangzhou, and later his secondary education at Guangzhou Secondary School. He furthered his study at Queen’s College in Hong Kong, and the Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, graduating in a masters’ degree in economics and law.
In 1924, he moved to Malaya and operated a tin mine. In 1936 he was elected President of the Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce. In 1941, he was appointed Chief Commander of Air Defence of Kuala Lumpur and was sent to Burma (now Myanmar) During the Second World War as a colonel to fight in the war there. On his return to Malaya after the war, he founded the Chinese Miners Association, the China Press, and the Malaysia Chinese Association. He served in various positions from 1948 to 1959, Including lawmaker and executive councillor, Minister of Railway and Ports (while serving as ACCCIM President), Minister of Transport, member of the Malayan Independence Delegation, and the first Finance Minister after the Independence.
Later, he quitted politics and ventured into business and founded the Development and Commerce Bank (D & C Bank, now RHB Bank Berhad) in 1966 and served as its Chairman. Later he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Association of Banks In Malaysia,and Chairman of the Council of Elders of the MCA. In recognition of this contribution towards the Independence of the country, the High Street in Kuala Lumpur was renamed Jalan Tun H S Lee.
