KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Tan Cheng Lock's new biography, launched days before the Merdeka Day celebration, offers a timely reminder of his vision for a united country.
For his granddaughter Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo, the book is also a deeply personal journey to better understand a grandfather she barely knew.
Tan Cheng Lock passed away on Dec 13, 1960, when Siok Choo was eight.
"Two reasons prompted me to start this biography. The first was the need to know my grandfather.
"The second was a burning question that had been puzzling me and that was: who was the founder of MCA?" she said at the launch of One Country, One People: The Life and Legacy of Tun Tan Cheng Lock at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) here on Thursday (Aug 27).
Siok Choo said the biography explores Cheng Lock's identity as a Malaccan political leader of Baba Nyonya descent who did not speak any Chinese dialect, yet went on to lead a predominantly Chinese political party.
"Despite (him not speaking Chinese), many respected my grandfather for his strong adherence to Confucian values and deep understanding of Chinese culture," she said.
She added that her grandfather was outgoing and formed friendships easily, including with Malay leaders and nationalists from various political backgrounds.
"He was aware that in a new country of Malaya, all communities would need to work together and for this to happen, they would have to understand each other and be friends," she said.
Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said Cheng Lock's legacy extended beyond his role in the party, with his ideas on identity, cooperation and shared national belonging remaining relevant today.
"When we talk about Tan Cheng Lock, many people immediately think of his role as an MCA founding president.
"That is an important part of his legacy. But if we stop there, we miss the bigger picture," he said.
Dr Wee said he was given the book two weeks ago and initially asked to review Chapters four and five, but ended up reading the entire book.
"There are many untold stories that I think are very good for all of us to know," he added.
He also said Cheng Lock understood that Malaysians could retain their cultural roots while building a common identity.
"It is the balance between holding on to our roots while building a common identity as Malaysians and celebrating our differences while finding common ground," he said.
The launch drew TAR UMT and UTAR academics as well as former MCA ministers, including Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan.
Also present were Tunku Abdul Rahman's grandchildren Tunku Munawirah Putra and Tunku Muinuddin Putra and Tun VT Sambanthan's niece Lavanya Rama Iyer.
The biography is currently available in English, with proceeds from its sale going towards the Tun Tan Siew Sin Scholarship Fund at TAR UMT.
