by Dr Chen Man Hin
DAP life advisor
At the memorial services in honour of the late FAN YEW TENG, hundreds of friends who had fought with him for human rights, democracy and justice gathered at the memorial services to pay tribute to a great Malaysian. FYT spent most of his life in the service of Malaysia and mankind.
As a teacher, he was editor of the publication of the teachers’ union and leading trade union leader and was instrumental in getting pay increases and equal pay without gender discrimination.
As a political leader, he was acting secretary general of the DAP and served as a Member of Parliament until he lost a sedition case after being charged for printing an article about the injustices of the day.
After politics he opted to struggle for human rights in the world arena. He was in the vanguard of world NGOs to campaign for freedom for Aung San Su Ki, the imprisoned leader of Myanmar, and other oppressed peoples.
At the memorial services at Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh and at his funeral service in Bangkok, many NGO representatives and the diplomatic corps paid tributes and showered accolades on FYT for his services and sacrifices in the interests of the poor and for democracy and justice.
Back home he worked together with the NGOs irrespective of race or religion. He travelled among the people on his trusted bicycle. He served the poor with humility and gave alms freely, so much so he would be constantly short of money. He never saved because he did not believe in riches. All he cared for was to serve the poor and struggle for human rights.
But Fan Yew Teng was a wealthy man when he departed from the world. He was showered with tributes, praises and support from honourable compatriots who thronged the memorial services.
He was rich, rich with honour, pride and glory. He had hundreds of like-minded friends in Malaysia and in foreign countries. He belonged to an elite group of human rights champions.
Farewell FYT. You have become a legend. A new legend is born – Fan Yew Teng, champion of the poor and freedom and justice fighter!!!
#1 by tak tahan on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 - 12:30 am
No doubt Fan Yew Teng is deserved to be honoured and remembered from the praises in the mass media.Frankly,i don’t know a hint about FYT cause i just learned to pick up politic.This reminds me of LKS in the far future that surely himself would be honoured and deserved the same way like FYT.I will be there when LKS’s dream fulfilled to give my honour.I admire you FYT from LKS’s posting.It touched my heart and soul.
#2 by undertaker888 on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 - 8:49 am
my condolences. but did he leave a successor? or some successors?
#3 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 - 9:12 am
Did d legend convince his daughters 2 carry d human rights torch?
1M’sia has d Twin Towers, is DAP going 2 hv Twin Fans?
#4 by monsterball on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 - 12:38 pm
Another tribute to late Fan Yew Teng…and non other than from an equally great DAP man.
Fan’s family must be very sad of their great loss..yet feeling so proud of him…have so many admirers.
#5 by tak tahan on Wednesday, 12 January 2011 - 12:43 am
Never mind if other than DAP as long they love us and treat us with equal and care,then in return we should grant them with the same or the other way round-by backstreet boys.Love has no boundaries if we are truely the champion of human rights and freedom.That is what make a huge difference between Mamak tetek and FYT.Mamak tetek will only be surrounding by crooks and daylight robberies while FYT is with beautiful angels and lights.Aiseh,Madam FYT,no misunderstanding ok?