05-08-2025
SMEs ‘ideal catalysts for social change', says Top International CEO
[SINGAPORE] When some towkays from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) get together, it is not always to cut deals or to putt on the fairway.
At least not for Victor Tan, CEO of TOP International, a mining and resources company headquartered in Singapore.
The 40-year-old managed to gather his counterparts from various SMEs, which include Mlion Corporation and Shield, to raise more than S$150,000 this year to subsidise transport costs for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
The initiative, Kindness Warrior, stemmed from the CEO's formative years and to his knowledge, is among the first of its kind in Singapore where leaders from various SMEs come together to give back to society.
Tan said: 'I grew up in Johor Bahru. During my years in school, I had the opportunity to see the work that Robert Kuok (also known as the Sugar King of Asia) was doing through initiatives in my school.
'It wasn't loud of flashy, it was quiet and impactful. I became inspired to learn more about his philanthropic work. It left a deep impression on me because it showed how business success can be a powerful platform for positive change.'
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To the CEO, the initiative was 'more about doing whatever we can to ease the burden on families and support children's education as… the cost of getting to school can be a real barrier'.
Hence, Kindness Warrior partnered North East Community Development Council to support its School Transport Assistance and Relief Scheme (Stars) project.
'I grew up in Johor Bahru. During my years in school, I had the opportunity to see the work that Robert Kuok (also known as the Sugar King of Asia) was doing through initiatives in my school,' says Victor Tan, CEO of TOP International. PHOTO: TOP INTERNATIONAL
'It's a simple but powerful way to remove one hurdle and ensure that no child misses out on education and all the opportunities it brings,' he added.
The Kindness Warrior initiative, into its third year, has raised $368,168 in total so far.
Last year, the Stars programme disbursed more than S$500,000 to help 1,181 students from lower income families. Of this amount, S$100,000 came from TOP's Kindness Warrior campaign.
Faradillah, a stay-home mum to five children, said that the initiative has helped alleviate the financial burden on her family. Another beneficiary, Ahyarudin, concurred and added that he can now use the money that he used to spend on school transport on other areas such as textbooks.
When asked on the importance of the role that SMEs can play in the giving landscape, Tan said: 'When it comes to galvanising support (from them), I think it starts with understanding their realities. SMEs face their own unique challenges – sometimes it's budget constraints, and other times it's manpower or time limitations. But I've personally not found it to be an insurmountable challenge. It's really about showing them the value of what we're trying to achieve, and how their participation can make a tangible impact on children and families.'
Tan added that he 'believes there's something powerful when SMEs lead such initiatives themselves'.
SMEs make up about 99 per cent of all enterprises in Singapore and 72 per cent of the workforce.
'They're the lifeblood of our economy: the entrepreneurs who are shaping communities and creating jobs. When they come together, they represent the true spirit of nation-building, and they show how business can play a central role in supporting families and strengthening society. As entrepreneurs, we know what it means to build something from the ground up. That spirit of resilience and community makes them ideal catalysts for social change.'
