Andrea Bocelli brings music to life at YTL's Concert of Celebration 2010
YTL Community News, 13 May 2010
The renowned Oxford University philosopher and novelist, C.S. Lewis observed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. We spontaneously praise whatever we value, and we delight to praise what we enjoy because it completes the enjoyment. The more value we place on an object, the more praise we would accord it. Therefore, the Lord should be the centre of our praise as He is our most valuable. For this reason, this evening, instead of praising our own achievements, we give our Lord Jesus Christ all glory, honour, praise and thanks. All goodness comes from the Lord and He is the primary reason for this YTL Concert of Celebration. For this reason, this evening, instead of praising our own achievements, we give our Lord Jesus Christ all glory, honour, praise and thanks. All goodness comes from the Lord and He is the primary reason for this YTL Concert of Celebration. Darkness is the absence of light, whilst light is not the absence of darkness. Light is an entity, darkness is not. With the near global economic Armageddon in 2008, it feels like one-half of the world is seeking advice from the other half, but both are sitting in the same darkness. Which is why, I am ever so glad that Singapore is different. It enjoys and thrives in being a light. Let me salute Prime Minister Lee and the Government of Singapore for remaining resolute and steadfast in reflecting this Minister Mentor Lee’s enlightening legacy of courageous moral leadership. As beneficiaries of this important legacy, including the wonderful hospitality and good will of the people of Singapore, YTL honours you with beautiful songs and music from my dear friend Andrea Bocelli and the other renowned artists we have invited. True friends are indeed gifts of God. Andrea bended backwards to make this concert possible, in spite of his very hectic touring schedule.
Before the concert Andrea Bocelli said, “It is a great honour to be given this opportunity by my long-time friend, Francis Yeoh, to perform for Singaporeans as part of YTL’s tradition of thanksgiving to God and the local communities. It is also a gratifying experience to do my part for charity in Singapore with the gift of my voice.” YTL also organised a special after concert dinner where singers Stephen Rahman Hughes, Wayne Perrey and Oliver Tompsett performed “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, which Bocelli thoroughly enjoyed. “I love my friend Francis very much and so I’m doing this for him. I can feel the love of Francis for me and the love of the people of Singapore and it was a pleasure to sing for them... Francis is a genius!” said Bocelli in an interview.
Thank you, Andrea! You are not only my true friend, but you are a true friend of Singapore.
"It is 'Time' to handle power and it is in our 'Power' to handle time"
YTL Community News, 2 April 2010
The problem is when we do have wealth, we may start to think we don’t need God. Like King Nebuchadnezzar who said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" Norm Franz puts it, “Lucifer’s abundant trade produced the root sin of lust to obtain wealth faster than righteous trading would allow.” Fiddling in not so many words! C.S. Lewis accurately described this as an addiction to the “sweet poison of the false infinite”. We allow substitute sacreds, or false infinites, to fill the vacuum of our disenchanted world.
This wealth and power is more intoxicating than alcohol, more addictive than drugs! It also has a momentum of its own, that leads to corruption. Global wealth was ‘dishonestly’ multiplied in a system without the backing of real tangible substance. This is the debauchery of currencies that God warned us against. Profiteering in God’s temple at the expense of the worshippers was simply not acceptable and it spelled serious fraud and fiddling! Jesus could also see how easily the devil corrupts the temple with material wealth. Short-termism is not of God, because God does not hurry. He has no need for it. God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He is the Creator of time, He is not bound by it. He is beyond time. When we understand time and have a healthy perspective of it, we could appreciate how God creates a rich tapestry of circumstances and events with His people.
Time is something like capsules, pockets or mosaics in this ultimate tapestry. And of course, these individual capsules or mosaics reflect the experiences of people and their lives – at various times, places and situations. A collection of them, will begin to show a beautiful tapestry of God’s handiwork and faithfulness.
A son needs a father, but when he becomes the father, he does not need his own father. Yet, when his child’s turn to be the parent, he ends up not being needed. That is also the disjointedness that sin has brought to our relationship with God. But we see the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, they are eternally One with each other. Perfectly in union, perfectly intimate and perfectly together. Nothing the Triune God does is in absence of the other. That is the picture of perfect relationship and ultimate closeness. That is what we must pursue in our return to God and our walk with God! It is so dangerous that we could love the concept of God and not God Himself. We could play church and yet have no relationship with God Himself. That eternity is not written on our hearts, because we don’t believe God could write it anyway.
Prime Minister launches YTL's establishment of 4G Innovation Network in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 10 November 2009
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib praised YTL's initiatives saying, "YTL’s commitment to this important programme (the 4G Innovation Network) will help to drive a new wave of innovation, job creation and investment in Malaysia. With 4G/WiMAX – the most advanced wireless technology available – our citizens will be amongst the first in the world to enjoy all that the Internet has to offer. From anywhere they are. Imagine the increase in productivity of employees who are able to connect to the Internet while riding in the bus to the office. Or the advantage we can give our students through dynamic e-learning opportunities. With the high bandwidth and low latency of 4G mobile networks, and the creativity that will be spurred by the Innovation Network, the possibilities are endless. The government highly supports this endeavour and I look forward to seeing the inventions that come out of this global effort and thank YTL and its esteemed partners for helping to reduce the digital divide and enrich the lives of people across Malaysia."
The effort will connect the best minds in Silicon Valley with developers in Malaysia to create exciting new applications for YTL’s Nationwide 4G Service while establishing the Country as a Regional Centre of Excellence for 4G Innovation.
“YTL Communications is proud to take a leadership role amidst this prestigious group and is equally proud of Malaysia for having what it takes to attract interest and commitment from top players in technology,” said YTL Group Managing Director Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, CBE, FICE. “Together, we will help to advance the country’s mission to become a truly innovation-led economy as well as YTL’s mission to provide affordable, world-class quality products and services that improve the way people in Malaysia live, learn, work and play. I Thank my Lord Jesus Christ for blessing this initiative.” Yeoh also thanked Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib for his support, without which this initiatve would not be possible.
YTL Communications Chief Executive Officer Wing K. Lee added, “The Innovation Network will facilitate the development of applications that are optimized specifically for a high bandwidth 4G network and which will give people in Malaysia a truly connected lifestyle and new levels of communication freedom.”
Iconic event, A Journey Through Time III Returns with a Green Message
Kuala Lumpur, 14 October 2009
“And through simple programmes such as our Ministry’s Homestay programme, to the most luxurious and sophisticated programmes like A Journey Through Time, we can also talk about the important issues regarding the environment. And of course, it was none other than Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh who chose and put forward this important theme – a lifestyle of environmental protection and climate change awareness – in the midst of luxury,” added Minister of Tourism, Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.
“Environmental problems and issues are far-reaching and wide, and it is a societal as well as a business concern. Malaysia is a fascinating holiday destination and we are blessed with an abundance of amazing natural wonders like our jeweled islands and lush million year old rainforest, which draws millions of visitors to our shores every year. But with all the environmental problems we are currently facing, we might very well lose these natural treasures faster than we anticipated,” continued Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh.
Starhill Gallery Arts Festival 2009
Kuala Lumpur, 3 October 2009
It is truly by the grace of God that today, "angels are set free" among us in this celebration of sculptures and installation art at Starhill Gallery – as Michelangelo has once said about his sculptures, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free". It is indeed inspiring to see that so many people have come together, bringing their talents together to celebrate the arts, and by doing so, affirm their belief in life – as Henry Moore has said "To be an artist is to believe in life!"
This year, in addition to sculptures and contributions by The National Art Gallery and names like Yusof Ghani, Eng Tay and Abdul Multhalib Musa, there will also a showcase of the "world’s most beautiful book" hailed by publishers worldwide, honouring the genius of Michelangelo in offering us a glimpse of the divine with his art. The book "Michelangelo, La Dotta Mano" (The Learned Hand) was presented to me last year by the Foundation of Marilena-Ferrari, Italy in tribute to the arts, and the cover features a marble replica of Michelangelo’s "Madonna of the Steps" – carved from the same quarry of marbles which Michelangelo himself used in his work. There are only limited copies of the book in the world – one is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, one in the New York Public Library, one is in the Prado Museum, among Europe’s finest in Madrid and another is in the custody of the state of Bologna in Italy, where Michelangelo first started his career.
Forest in the City: New plans unveiled for YTL's Lot 10
Kuala Lumpur, 4 September 2009
"Lot 10 will be the new urban playground for youth of today. With Lot 10, YTL can fulfill its desire and social responsibility that has always been close to our hearts and that is to bring an entire 'Forest in ihe City' – right here on the Rooftop at Lot 10.
"... With the support of all our tenants who are with us here today from Debenhams and Isetan to Shabu One and Hutong as well Nicky Hilton, William Rast and National Geographic, we hope to give you a world class lifestyle experience that is unique and exclusive to Lot 10," said Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh at the press conference which highlighted some of the changes taking place in the mall.
YTLe and Samsung sign Mobile WiMAX Deployment Agreement
Kuala Lumpur, 23 April 2009
YTLe Chief, Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh said, "Malaysia will be the 1st country outside the US to have an eco-system that provides a truly converged mobile internet service with nationwide coverage, using WiMAX technology. Whilst Malaysia is already ahead in the game, this initiative will provide further stimulus to the Government's vision for the Multimedia Super Corridor, creating new jobs, bringing new opportunities for innovation to the industry, Government and SMEs, and generating an explosion in knowledge workers."
Samsung Chief Mr. WoonSub Kim said, "YTL Corporation's strategy of providing "World-class products and services at very competitive prices" along with its history of innovation has resulted in it and its subsidiaries winning numerous International Awards. YTL has contributed much to bring sustainable growth and development for the country. It is an honour for us to work with YTL. Samsung is the world's best Mobile WiMAX system and device provider."
At the feet of Jesus, am I Cain or Abel?
YTLcommunity News, 10 April 2009
Christ taught us how to overcome our self-righteousness by loving God above all and to love our neighbours as ourselves. The constant grip of self-righteousness, hatred and anger, will also be loosen when we, like Abel, recognise our own spiritual depravity and accept the constant need for our Saviour. There is no greater truth than this.
Appreciation Dinner for YTL Power International Berhad Hosted by DBS Bank Ltd
YTLcommunity News, 6 March 2009
First of all, I would like to thank Chairman Koh for hosting this “Appreciation Dinner” which is very aptly named; much as DBS appreciates YTL’s custom, YTL too very much appreciates DBS support for the acquisition of Seraya. YTL has always been a pragmatic and disciplined bidder and we recognise that there is a premium to be paid when investing in Singapore, a AAA-rated country. As far back as 1996, YTL was very keen to supply electricity to PUB Singapore from our Pasir Gudang Power Station, and even received in-principle approval from the Malaysian Government to commence discussions with PUB.
We are therefore very pleased, with God’s grace, to have been successful in our acquisition of Seraya.
Does the Church Stand for Christ's Love today?
YTLcommunity News, 20 January 2009
But does this mean when one voted for Obama, he or she signed up to all of Obama’s policies? Certainly not!
Let me be candid. Just because I support Samson, does not mean I condone his womanising with Delilah. I could champion a King David, but I would never condone his adultery with Beersheba, nor his murder of Uriah, her husband, to cover up the affair.
And for Evangelical Christians like myself, for whom the German theologian, Martin Luther is the father of the Reformation, I could nod my head happily to his theological expositions and even marvel at the beautiful lyrics of his hymns. However, I do not condone all Luther’s writings on the Jewish people. Some of his writings are deemed anti-Semitic. Equally, I am not to emulate Luther’s known character flaws – his abrasive nature towards his critics, when his “language could also move towards crudity and hatefulness.”
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