MCA veteran, ex-minister
Michael Chen dies, aged 92
MCA president Wee Ka Siong describes Michael Chen as a dedicated leader whose impact on the party and nation will not be forgotten.
His death was confirmed by MCA president Wee Ka Siong.
he told FMT.It is with profound sadness that we remember and honour the life of former MCA deputy president, Tun Michael Chen, who passed away today. He was a dedicated leader whose impact on our party and nation will not be forgotten,
Wee said Chen made significant contributions, particularly in facilitating the establishment of the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China through
.ping-pong diplomacy
he said.His tireless efforts in fostering these ties brought about meaningful advancements and cooperation between our two nations,
Chen was known to be close to then prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, who led the historic breakthrough trip to China in 1974.
Wee said Chen was a faithful and supportive party veteran who continued to attend major party events in high spirits despite his deteriorating health.
A lawyer by profession, Chen made his foray into politics by contesting and winning the Damansara parliamentary seat in the 1964 general election. However, in 1969, he lost the seat to DAP’s Hor Cheok Foon.
Three years later, he contested the Ulu Selangor parliamentary seat and won against Lau Dak Kee from DAP.
He left MCA with a group of supporters after divisions arose in the party and joined Gerakan, on whose ticket he became MP for Beruas from 1982 to 1986.
From 1997 until 2003, Chen served in the Dewan Negara where he was deputy president from 1997 to 2000, and president from 2000 to 2003.
Chen also served as housing, local government and new villages minister from 1974 to 1979. Before that, he was a special functions minister from 1972 to 1974.
He was conferred the country’s highest award, the Seri Setia Mahkota award which carries the title
, in 2017 in conjunction with former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s birthday.Tun
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