Instrument Loan Scheme

Initiated by the late Mr. Ong Theng Cheong                   

Liu Thai Ker, Chairman, National Arts Council, said, "It is well known that he actually organised concert evenings involving many young talents. So he's not only looking at the overall more mature artistes, but also nurturing young talents. He was instrumental in starting the idea of loan of violin, the violin loan scheme, meaning to get sponsorship to buy the expensive violins for our top artistes, and he's been involved in many charity, arts exhibitions. These various actions convey a very clear message to the society that we have a President who is committed, convinced of the importance of culture as the next phase of development in our society."

Violinist Siow Lee Chin  is the first recipient of the violin loan scheme initiated by Mr Ong.                                                                     

At a tea session at the Istana she mentioned to Mr Ong her difficulties in the international music arena as she did not have a good instrument.

Violinist, Siow Lee Chin recounted, "I think the next day, I had a call from the Istana and there was this incredible news that President Ong had found two donors that would help me. I was just shocked, in ecstasy, it was a bit of a fairy tale, he was my fairy godfather. This violin is incredibly meaningful to me from a very personal standpoint because for the President to take my cause up like this, I'm eternally grateful because I love this instrument, it means the world to me."