The Dentons Rodyk team, led by Senior Partner Edmund Leow S.C., successfully advised HSBC Trustee (Singapore) Limited on the formation of the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust (Trust). The Trust is a charitable purpose trust set up in memory of the late Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a Malaysian Peranakan businessman who devoted his life to fighting for the rights and social welfare of the Chinese community in Malaya. The charitable objectives of the Trust include the advancement of education, art and heritage. The Trust is administered by HSBC Trustee (Singapore) Limited and is a registered grantmaker with the Commissioner of Charities Singapore. The sector administrator of the Trust is the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

We would also like to congratulate the Trust on its recent and generous donation of S$2.3 million to the National Library Board (NLB). The donation will fund a revamp of NLB’s Rare Collections Gallery which will feature a curated collection of rare materials on Singapore and the region from the National Library and National Archives, paired with interactive digital content and a multi-modal experience for patrons. This meaningful donation aligns with the charitable objectives of the Trust, enabling the preservation and retelling of Singapore’s and Southeast Asia’s story in an accessible manner for modern generations to come.

Dentons Rodyk is proud to have supported HSBC Trustee (Singapore) Limited in the formation of the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust. Together with HSBC Trustee (Singapore) Limited, we are committed to helping families preserve their wealth and legacy across generations through private and philanthropic trusts, and to create meaningful and lasting impact.