By Boo Su-Lyn | May 16, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Former DAP national vice-chairman Datuk Chian Heng Kai died from liver cancer in Muar today. He was 71.
The former Bukit Mertajam and Batu Gajah MP was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1976 for four years after fighting for the right of Malaysians to be educated in their mother tongue, the DAP said in a statement today.
Chian, who joined the DAP a year after it was formally registered in 1966, won the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat in 1978 and the Bukit Mertajam seat in 1986 and 1990.He won his seat in the 1978 general election while under ISA detention.
“Their commitment to defend the constitutional position of mother-tongue education in general, and Chinese education in particular, was strongly supported by their constituents,” said the statement, referring to Chian and another party stalwart Chan Kok Kit, who died in 2001.
Chian is survived by his wife Tan Chui Swee and three children.
His funeral is on Wednesday at the Seu Teck Sean Tong temple in Muar.
#1 by wanderer on Monday, 16 May 2011 - 5:02 pm
A noble warrior, a decent human being, you have played your part courageously . May your soul rest in peace.
#2 by jaychelliah on Monday, 16 May 2011 - 8:35 pm
The Mother tongue education has proved a deterrent to 1 Malaysia. Singapore has this policy too. So what have we then after Merdeka. Its them and US. Its tribalism to the most extreme. We have multi culturalism but we do not have integration. Look at the facebook Sites of any Malaysia Chinese. The are all Chinese. Ask a Chinese who is his or her best friend. = Another Chinese. Datuk Chian protected a legacy wrongly enacted by the British into our constitution and exploited “to the hill”. Datuk Chian used this for selfish reasons and divided Malaysia amongst Malaysians and left our education system is taters – delivering divided citizens. Datuk Chian fought in 2 safe seats for his parliamentary exploits of disenfranchised Chinese whom Datuk Chian knew he could use. So, what have we NOW. More of the same!! The Chinese are a race that are continuely poor in English the lingua franca of business and science. Multi National Companies investing in Malaysia are continually shying away because of the talent Chinese are NOT able to communicate and articulate in English at an international level. Datuk Chain peace be upon him – will not be missed my many.
#3 by tanjong8 on Monday, 16 May 2011 - 9:46 pm
A true and loyal nationalist
#4 by Dr. W on Monday, 16 May 2011 - 10:54 pm
Rest in peace, Datuk Chian. Thank you for all you have done…