Tan’s biography launched

KUCHING: The biography of educationist, the late Temenggong Tan Meng Chong, was launched here during his memorial service yesterday. 

Several speakers at the ceremony at Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No. 3 in Padungan delivered their speeches in between sobs amid an atmosphere filled with emotion. 

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam launched the 241-page biography that records Tan’s political, education and social work in the past 40 years. 

State Assistant Minister Datuk Sim Kheng Hui read an eulogy. 

Tan’s widow Datin Chong Yin Mei, their children and family members were among several hundred people at the memorial service. 

Tan, who collapsed and died at a dinner gathering to commemorate Confucius’ birthday a week ago, had led the Kuching Chung Hua Primary Schools joint management board for almost 20 years. 

Tan, also a former Padungan assemblyman, first became a board member in 1964.  

Dr Chan, who paid tribute to Tan, said: 

“All the Chinese in the state were saddened by his death. He was a great educationist who was humble and had great leadership qualities.” 

Dr Chan said Tan had always adopted a consultation approach to resolve problems facing Chinese education. 

The Kuching Chung Hua Primary Schools joint management board secretary Liew Thian Liang said Tan’s unaccomplished mission was to relocate Chung Hua Primary School No 2 from the city’s golden triangle to Tabuan Jaya. 

He urged the Sarawak United People’s Party headed by Dr Chan to set up a working committee to help fulfil Tan’s wish. 

Datin Chong later presented copies of Tan’s biography to, among others, Dr Chan, Sim, state Assistant Minister for Planning and Resource Management Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi, Senator Wee Kok Tiong, Works Ministry’s parliamentary secretary Datuk Yong Khoon Seng and Mayor Chan Seng Khai.