Poignant speech highlight at birthday do

Chan (centre) celebrating his birthday with lecturers from Universiti Malaya’s Chinese Studies Department. With him are (from his right) department head Associate Professor Dr Fan Pik Wah and Pejati vice-chairman Heng Kay Song; and (from his left) Pejati chairman Lee Sek Yui and former chairman Datuk Ng Tong Hai. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

A SON’S tribute to his late mother added an emotional touch to a celebration marking the 70th birthday of Universiti Malaya alumnus Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy – an event hosted by the university’s Chinese Studies Department in recognition of his lifelong contributions to Chinese education and literary scholarship.

During the dinner, held in Kuala Lumpur on May 3 Chan paid heartfelt tribute to his late mother who worked tirelessly in the canteen of SJK (C) Khai Mun Pagi to support their family of 12.