Mr Opposition — The legacy of Tan Chee Khoon

On August 23, a gathering of approximately 150 people attended a public forum commemorating the 30th anniversary of the passing of former opposition leader Dr Tan Chee Khoon. The event, co-organized by Aliran and Dr Tan's youngest daughter Tan Poh Lai, was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Hall and constituted one of three discussions under the title Merdeka, Multiracialism and Dissent, Without Fear or Favour. Future gatherings are scheduled for September 3 in Ipoh and September 5 in Penang.

Dr Tan Chee Khoon held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat from 1964 to 1969, serving multiple terms in Parliament representing various parties, including Labour Party, Gerakan, and Pekemas. Daughter Tan Poh Lai provided a touching account of her father's life, highlighting his commitment to multiracialism and socialism, as well as his Christian values.

She recounted how a rubber tapping accident resulted in the loss of his sight at a young age, which she said shaped his compassionate and caring nature as a physician. Poh Lai also emphasized that her father steadfastly remained a part of the left-wing struggle despite various challenges and political pressures.

Her efforts to rebuild his political career after setbacks, such as the decline of the Labour Party and the Socialist Front, led to the formation of Gerakan and later Pekemas. However, Tan ultimately refused to align himself with a party based on racial identity, a principle that Poh Lai carries with her to this day.

Upon his return to politics in 1974, Dr Tan was elected to Parliament as a Pekemas representative but was forced to step down after suffering a series of strokes. He passed away in 1996, leaving a lasting impact as a medical doctor and a prominent columnist, most notably through his "Without Fear or Favour" column in The Star.

Economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram also addressed the audience, reflecting on Tan's commitment to principled politics. He pointed out that Dr Tan emerged from an era when political leaders were more willing to engage in ideologically driven debates rather than focusing on identity factors such as race and religion. Sundaram lamented the suppression of the left-wing political movement in Malaysia, noting that its contributions have been largely overlooked or omitted from historical accounts.