Datuk Roger Tan Kim Hock

Datuk Roger Tan Kim Hock was the son of the late Allahyarham Senator Tan Sri Mohammed Tahir Tan Tong Hye, the Founder and first President of the Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association.

Born on the 28th of June 1947 in Singapore, Datuk Roger attended the Penang Free School before continuing his studies in the United Kingdom where he read Law at the London School of Economics, graduating with a Bachelor of Law (LLB, 1971). Datuk Roger was also a recipient of the prestigious LSE Hughes-Parry Law Prize - a prize awarded to students who demonstrate exemplary performance in their law examinations.

Building on his law studies at the LSE, Datuk Roger was then admitted to Gray’s Inn, one of the four London Inns of Court, where with unusual and exceptional rapidity he was called to the bar within a few months of his admission.

Datuk Roger then returned to Malaysia and proceeded to embark upon a remarkable legal career. He joined the Malaysian chapter of the international law firm, Allen & Gledhill, where he quickly distinguished himself, culminating in his naming as a Partner of the law firm at age 29 in 1976. He was the youngest associate in the history of Allen & Gledhill Malaysia to be admitted to partnership.

In the same year of his admission to partnership, Datuk Roger took a big leap of faith when he left Allen & Gledhill to join the fledgling Hong Leong Group of Malaysia. Over the next three decades, Datuk Roger was instrumental in the Group's transformation and growth from a medium-sized enterprise into one of Malaysia's foremost multinational conglomerates.

Prior to his retirement from the Hong Leong Group in 2004, Datuk Roger last held the position of President and CEO of Hong Leong Credit and was also a director on various boards of flagship Hong Leong companies including Hong Leong Berhad and Hong Leong Group.

By the time he retired from corporate life, Datuk Roger had become a highly respected figure within Malaysian and international business circles.

Not content to rest on his laurels from his spectacular corporate career, Datuk Roger decided to dedicate himself to charitable causes during his retirement and became a well-known philanthropist.
He passionately championed and generously dedicated his energy and funds to many causes caring for the less fortunate, notably being appointed as a Trustee of the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, a charity providing shelter and care for orphans and old folks.

In 2010, Datuk Roger was also elected the 4th President of the Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association, following in his father's footsteps (Allahyarham Senator Tan Sri Mohammed Tahir TH Tan had held the position three decades prior to Datuk Roger’s ascent to the position).

Datuk Roger Tan also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the ECM Libra Foundation since its inception in 2004.

Datuk Roger remained a President of MaLRA and member of the Board of Trustees of the ECM Libra Foundation until his demise in 2012. He had also supported numerous other charitable causes, typically in an anonymous fashion or with minimal fanfare.

The infectious passion by which Datuk Roger applied himself to these charitable causes influenced many - from corporate titans to ordinary laymen - to also support these causes in whatever way they could. In the process, Datuk Roger earned many lifetime friends from all walks of life, many of whom continue to serve these charitable organisations to this day.

In recognition of his services to Malaysia across both corporate and philanthropic fields, Datuk Roger Tan was bestowed the distinguished Malaysian Federal order of Panglima Jasa Negara (Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service , or P.J.N.) which carries the title ‘Datuk’ on the occasion of D.Y.M.M. Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday in 2001.

On the evening of the 7th of March 2012, Datuk Roger collapsed at home after dinner with his family. It was later discovered that he had suffered a massive stroke. Sadly, Datuk Roger never recovered and he passed away on the 20th of March 2012 surrounded by his family and loved ones.