A civil rights activist remembered

I do not wish to turn my blog into an obituary site. However, September 2006 is a sad month for our country. We lost two great men and I think I am obliged to express my appreciations towards them. They are Pak Rashid Maidin, who departed on 1st of September; and Mr. Chong King Liong, who passed away on 8 September.

Chong King Liong, a name which is not so familiar to the English and Bahasa Malaysia-speaking community though, is a great man to be remembered. He is remembered for fighting for what was right, and for upholding justice without fear or favour.

Mr. Chong was the 7th president of the progressive KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. He was elected in the eventful late 80's. As an engineer, Mr. Chong was a rare bird to hold the president post, which were normally being held by wealthy tycoons. Nevertheless, Chong was one of the best presidents in the history of the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

In the eyes of many people, Chong may not be a charismatic leader due to his low profile leading style. However, his predecessor, Mr. Chew Xiang Zhi (translation) who was also a dedicated civil rights activist, has vividly described him as "a man of action". Throughout his wonderful life, Chong had done uncountable good deeds and had set a commendable example to the young generation.

In 1987, Education Ministry appointments of some 100 senior assistants and principals to vernacular Chinese schools. This provoked a storm of protest when it was learnt that those appointed were not Chinese (Mandarin)-educated. Dong Jiao Zong, political parties and many organisations held a 2,000-strong gathering at the Hainanese Association Building on 11 October 1987, to protest against the government's decision. People deemed that the government's move was a calculated plot to erode the mother-tongue language system. Chong, who was only elected as the president of the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall months ago, was the Chairperson of the gathering. Sixteen days later, the then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad arrested 106 political and social activists under the Internal Security Act (ISA), and revoked publishing license of two dailies and two weeklies. Yes, that was the infamous Operation Lalang!

Although Chong was not arrested, but his close comrades such as Lim Fong Seng (chairperson of Dong Zong) and Dr. Kua Kia Soong (Civil Rights Committee) were among the victims. Chong did not shy away during the period where "white terror" prevailed. In contrary, he led the campaign to release all the ISA detainees who were denied their right to fair trial. He was one of the very few activists who had the courage to stay on and fought side by side with the detainees' families.

Although Mr. Chong was a Chinese-educated professional, one can smell no stink of racial chauvinism from him. Besides his couragous leadership during the stormy period, Chong was one of the founders of the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Rights Committee. The Civil Rights Committee played a vital role in the vibrant civil rights movement in the 80's. It was the bridge between Chinese-educated intellectuals and english-educated NGO activists. The Civil Rights Committee remains vocal in many Human Rights issues today.

There are many more good things to say about this great man. However, it is more important for the young generation to inheritate his great spirit in fighting injustice.

"In the struggle of Human Rights and democracy, we can't remain silent." - a meaningful quote from the heroic Chong King Liong