Tan, one of Msia’s founding fathers

Men of peace: (From left) Tan, Tunku and David Marshall representing the government in the Baling peace negotiations. —Photo taken from official website of Royal Malaysia Police

Tun Tan Cheng Lock, the founder and first president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), is recognised as one of the founding fathers who fought selflessly for the country’s independence.

As the leader of Chinese Malayans, he was one of the pillars of the Umno-MCA-MIC alliance which won independence for Malaya.