KUALA LUMPUR: The values of equality and peaceful coexistence championed by Dr Sun Yat-sen offer valuable lessons for Malaysia’s multicultural society, more than a century after his revolutionary struggle.
“These are values that still matter today.
“Dr Sun Yat-sen is not a stranger to Malaysians. He is a familiar and respected figure because of his deep historical connections with this country,” said Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Board of Governors chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.
A collection of 192 historical photographs tracing the life and revolutionary journey of the Father of Modern China will be showcased at an exhibition at TAR UMT from Nov 10 to 12.
The exhibition will offer visitors a glimpse into his life, his role in China’s modern history and his links with the Nanyang region, including Malaysia.
Chan said Dr Sun had visited Malaya several times, including five trips to Penang.
In 1910, the headquarters of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tongmenghui) in Nanyang was moved from Singapore to Penang.
Dr Sun also visited Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Melaka, Muar and Seremban, leaving behind historical landmarks, some of which have been preserved.
The exhibition will feature photographs and historical documents covering his life, from childhood and early years to his revolutionary activities and death in Beijing in 1925.
Chan said most of the photographs were provided by the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, while the organisers had also commissioned photographs of historical sites in Malaysia linked to Dr Sun.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of China Students Alumni (MACSA) adviser Huang Bin said the association was pleased to continue commemorating Dr Sun’s legacy, having organised a similar exhibition in 2016 to mark the 160th anniversary of his birth.
He said young people could draw two important lessons from Dr Sun: putting the greater good before personal interests and remaining steadfast in the face of adversity.
Despite repeated failures in his revolutionary efforts, Dr Sun never abandoned his ideals, Huang added.
The organisers hope the exhibition will encourage Malaysian students and Chinese students studying in the country to interact and learn about each other’s history and culture, strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people ties.
Admission is free.
The opening ceremony will be held at 10am on Nov 10, while the exhibition will be open from 10am to 5pm on Nov 11 and 12.
Among those present were MACSA president Zhu Yifan, TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei and TAR UMT Office of the President Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Monna Ong.
