Sim Wong Hoo seemed to be in good well being and ran marathons, say pals at wake of Inventive founder

Mr Leow, who joined Inventive in 1994 and labored there for a complete of 12 years, mentioned he twice left the corporate however returned every time as a result of Inventive was like “dwelling”, earlier than lastly leaving for a 3rd time. 

He additionally mentioned that Mr Sim drove the staff arduous, but additionally cared lots about them and had no airs.

Mr Leow remembered how Mr Sim would purchase durian for the workers and eat together with them. He additionally shared that Mr Sim would go round a bag full of beneficiant pink packets throughout Chinese language New 12 months and let the workers “decide their very own ang pao”.

In its heyday, Mr Sim and Inventive gave a technology of Singaporeans “confidence”, “publicity” and an opportunity to “rise up” on the world stage, he mentioned.

Ms Chew and Ms Lim, his secondary college classmates from Bukit Panjang Authorities Excessive Faculty, additionally mentioned that Mr Sim appeared to be in good well being, and was “shocked and unhappy” once they heard the information.

Interviewees mentioned that they didn’t know the reason for his demise, however one shut buddy mentioned he was discovered useless unexpectedly.

Ms Lim, who didn’t disclose her full title, mentioned she had met Mr Sim final Saturday by probability whereas out strolling, and so they had simply gathered in October on the wake of one other buddy. The shut pals nonetheless met up at previous Chinese language New Years, they mentioned.

“MODEST AND HUMBLE”

“He’s very modest and humble … very beneficiant to his pals,” mentioned Ms Chew, who additionally didn’t reveal her full title. 

In keeping with media experiences, Mr Sim had been drawing a nominal annual wage of S$1 for quite a lot of years and lived a easy life. 

A 2019 interview with Yahoo Finance revealed his hobbies included enjoying the harmonica to writing Chinese language novels. 

He had written six books however stopped doing so in 2005 to deal with Inventive.

Professor Kwok Kian Woon, the vice-chancellor of the College of the Arts Singapore, mentioned he had recognized Mr Sim for the reason that early 2000s, calling him a “most distinctive man”. 

He mentioned that Mr Sim’s ardour for the humanities was maybe not as effectively generally known as his achievements in tech, however he had offered “very important assist” for the humanities, specifically for the work of the late Kuo and for theatre coaching.

“What others assume might be inconceivable, he would assume potential,” mentioned Prof Kwok.

A MUSIC LOVER

Ms Lim Sau Hoong, a stalwart of the promoting trade, mentioned that Mr Sim liked music and had taught himself how you can play the piano. He additionally performed the accordion and used to organise music and cultural actions at Inventive, she mentioned.

They began as enterprise companions and had change into pals through the years, Ms Lim mentioned, including that Mr Sim had given her and her firm 10AM Communications each monetary and ethical assist.

“In the event you get to know him, he’s really an introvert, however as an organization chief, he was pressured to talk in public and face the media,” she mentioned in Mandarin.

He nonetheless had many desires to fulfil, and he wished to contribute extra to the world of sound and tech, she mentioned. 

“It’s a pity … I used to be so shocked after I heard the information, even now I can’t consider it,” she mentioned.