Tzu Chi was brought to Malaysia by Ye Ci Jing in 1989, when she was posted by her company to work in Penang. She promoted Tzu Chi to the local community besides visiting Dharma Masters in various Buddhist temples to spread Tzu Chi’s spirit. Inspired by her, many locals joined as volunteers.
In 1992, David Liu and Echo Chien, a Taiwanese couple who set up a factory in Malacca, were encouraged by Venerable Master Bo Yuan to promote Tzu Chi’s missions in Malaysia. They later led volunteers from the Central, Southern and East Malaysia to participate in Tzu Chi’s charitable work to “help the needy and educate the rich”.