UTAR opens Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies
AS a tribute to one of the country’s founding fathers and the first president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) recently launched the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies (TCLC) in its Sungai Long Campus.
The centre that aims to be a centre of excellence to spearhead research has 80 members from various faculties of the university.
Speaking at the launch, UTAR President Professor Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik thanked MCA for their donation of RM1 million to the TCLC in support of further research and to meet the centre’s goals and objectives.
“It is important to rediscover the missing parts of our history and culture, as well as the legacy of Tun Tan Cheng Lock and our founding fathers.
“TCLC will conduct research on Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s life, values and political contributions, and on Tun Tan Siew Sin’s contributions during his tenure as the Finance Minister of Malaysia.
“The centre will also expand its role to research on past Malaysian leaders, nation building and contemporary socio-political issues. It will benefit a great number and a wide variety of people and contribute to the development of our communities and nation.”
Also present at the launch were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s granddaughter Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo, as well as TCLC Steering Committee Chairman-cum-UTAR Council Member Senator Datuk Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
Tan said: “Due to the lack of financial resources to study law at a university, Tun Tan highly valued a university education, reflected in the fact that he sent his children to the US and UK for their tertiary education.
“While much has been written about Tun Tan’s involvement in politics, little is known about his entrepreneurial forays, first in rubber planting and later banking.”
Liow said: “MCA is proud to donate RM1 million in recognition of Tun Tan’s immense efforts and to continue his incredible legacy.
“The donation will fund various activities and research in areas such as the thoughts and ideas of Tun Tan and our founding fathers, the history and contributions of Malaysian Chinese, nation building, ethnic relations, social policies and much more.”
“By understanding the past, we can plan and act in the present in anticipation of future challenges and growth. If we want to know how and why our society is the way it is today, we have to look into our history for answers and that is why we need to properly document our past and seek solutions for the future.
“It is with great hope that the TCLC will in-
The centre will also expand its role to research on past Malaysian leaders, nation building and contemporary socio-political issues.” PROFESSOR DATUK DR CHUAH HEAN TEIK UTAR President
spire the younger generation to contribute to building a better Malaysia through Tun Tan’s vision - uniting our multiethnic society to build a greater nation,” Liow said.
Chuah added: “We also welcome researchers from all fields to be part of the centre’s exciting initiatives and we look forward to possible collaborative efforts with our partners including MCA.
“All the research outcomes and knowledge will be disseminated to the general public, with hopes that they will inspire the younger generation to take up leadership roles and encourage them to contribute in nation building,” said the president.