PETALING JAYA: MCA veteran and former party deputy president Tun Michael Chen Wing Sum (pic) has passed away at the age of 92.
Chen, who had served in several ministerial roles in the 1970s, was largely credited for establishing formal ties between Malaysia and China after the Cold War, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in a Facebook post.
Recalling a moment during MCA’s 74th anniversary celebration last year, where Chen personally handed over a copy of his memoir to him, Dr Wee said the book chronicles his remarkable life and contributions to the party and country, particularly highlighting his role in facilitating the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China through “ping-pong diplomacy”.
Ping-pong diplomacy is loosely defined as the use of international table tennis tournaments as diplomatic platforms.
Dr Wee said that in 1971, Chen, who had served as an MCA central committee member, Barisan Nasional executive secretary and the Malaysian Table Tennis Association president, was entrusted by then premier Tun Abdul Razak Hussein to engage China on Malaysia’s behalf.
“With his wisdom, he overcame various obstacles, eventually leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China on May 31, 1974,” said Dr Wee, who was saddened over Chen’s passing yesterday afternoon.
“I hope they (Chen’s family) find strength in this difficult time,” he said, adding that Chen was a kind and approachable party veteran.Despite having issues with mobility, he said Chen continued attending party events in a wheelchair.
“His dedication and love for the party command great respect and serve as a role model for younger generations,” said Dr Wee.
In his various ministerial roles during his political career, Chen displayed deep concern for public welfare, when he visited 465 Chinese new villages across the country to address local issues.“His passing is a loss to both the party and the nation,” said Dr Wee.
Chen, who was born in Perak, reportedly began his working career at 24 years old as a journalist and worked at a local Chinese daily in Penang for more than two years.
According to reports, in 1956, Chen received a scholarship to study philosophy and education in Hong Kong.
He furthered his studies in law at Lincoln’s Inn, London.
Chen began his career as a lawyer in Kuala Lumpur in 1961 and in 1964, he entered politics by contesting the Damansara parliamentary seat in the general election, where he won against the then People’s Action Party.
Chen was then appointed by Tun Abdul Razak as the Parliament secretary for five years.
In 1969, Chen lost the Damansara seat to DAP.
In 1972, he was offered another chance to contest the Ulu Selangor parliamentary seat, where he prevailed over DAP.
Between 1973 and 1974, Chen served as the Special Functions minister. From 1974 to 1979, Chen served as the Housing, Local Government and New Village minister, alongside roles such as Port Klang Authority chairman for 16 years and various director posts in several companies.
Chen contested the Beruas parliament seat in the 1982 general election under the Gerakan banner, where he won and served as the MP for a term until 1986.
From 1997 to 2003, Chen served as a member of the Dewan Negara, and became the Senate president from 2000 to 2003.
In September 2017, he was among the three to be conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Setia Mahkota award by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, which carries the title “Tun”.
Chen leaves behind his wife Toh Puan Helen Chen, 81, two sons and two daughters.
