Lee, 42, who operated cosmetic surgery centres in China as well as in Malaysia and Indonesia, was said to have plunged from the 22nd floor of a hotel in the Jiangxi Province.

Her brother, who declined to be named, said there was no reason for Lee to take her own life as she had so much to live for, especially since her cosmetic surgery business in China was doing very well.

"We cannot accept the suicide motive given to us by the authorities. I hope that they will investigate the incident further instead of just sweeping it under the carpet," he said.

Architect B. S. Tan, 45, said he was shocked to learn that Lee, who was a close friend, had died in what looked like an apparent suicide. He described her as an outgoing person with many high-profile friends.

She opened her first Sequins Beauty Centre at Jalan Batu Lanchang (now Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim) with only RM10,000 capital in 1992. Her business prospered and a few branches were opened in other states over the next few years.

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