LEE Seng Gee 李成义
Economic Development of Singapore,
Accession Number 001775
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Irene Quah (Mrs)
Interviewer
- 03:48:59
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Jul 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in Singapore in 1921. Early education. Sin Chew kindergarten. Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) and Tao Nan School. Impact of Great Depression on economy and cost of living. Daily routine of attending ACS in morning and Tao Nan in afternoon. General impression of teachers at ACS.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Jul 1996
Recording Date
- 00:30:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on education received. Left in 1939 to study Business Administration and Economics. Began tertiary education in 1939 at University of Pennsylvania. Reasons for pursuing course. Description of holidays in United States in 1940. When Pearl Harbour was attacked in 1941, Lee Kong Chian was attending World Rubber Study Group Meeting in New Jersey with siblings. Family business in Singapore declared enemy property by Japanese military administration.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Jul 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Policy Dutch adopted in Indonesia during Japanese Occupation. Bought machinery and materials to rebuild factories in Indonesia. As student, participated in China Relief Fund Movement. Predicament of second brother in Singapore. How father passed time in New York. Interviewee returned to Singapore in 1946; married in 1944. Philosophy when he joined family business. Trips to Jakarta to negotiate with Dutch government.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Oct 1996
Recording Date
- 00:31:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
What he did when plane broke down in Tanjong Priok Role in rebuilding family business in Indonesia. How he was able to get business; initial problems faced. Business boomed during Korean War in 1950. Served apprenticeship to run main office. Explained how Lee Rubber survived post-rubber boom; measures taken to cut cost. Assessment of managers. Learnt business from father and managers. Managers he learnt from.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Oct 1996
Recording Date
- 00:30:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Implemented changes like installing International Business Machines (IBM) and; how that helped Lee Rubber business operation. Extent of autonomy enjoyed by branch offices before installation of IBM machines. Considerations when upgraded computer system in 1968. His management style. Comparison of management style with that of grandfather's and father's. Not speculating of prime importance in rubber business.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Oct 1996
Recording Date
- 00:09:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Why many rubber companies went bust during Great Depression. How installation of International Business Machines (IBM) computers helped keep branch offices in line discouraging speculation. Action by main office if branch office managers were caught speculating.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 14 Mar 1997
Recording Date
- 00:30:01
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family business ran according to Chinese tradition; only sons involved. Sons made shareholders. Main development of Lee family business; rubber re-milling, pineapple canning, banking and property development. Why new lines of business were avoided. How costs of labour in Malaysia and Indonesia affected business. Three principles that gave Lee Rubber the cutting edge. Business management of Lee Rubber Group.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 14 Mar 1997
Recording Date
- 00:30:23
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personnel management of Lee Rubber; staff remuneration. Personal opinion of what makes a good manager. What interviewee considers important for success of family business. Philanthropic acts of Tan Kah Kee, maternal grandfather and father. How father was influenced by maternal grandfather.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 14 Mar 1997
Recording Date
- 00:07:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Funding of Lee Foundation. Objective of setting up Lee Foundation. His vision when he took over post as Chairman of Lee Foundation in 1967.
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