THE BY-ELECTION THAT BROUGHT D.R.SEENIVASAGAM TO THE FORE

 

Andrew Lin Top contributor... 1 January 2025/ From IPDCs

Saturday, 23rd November 1957 is a date to be cherished by the people of Ipoh. On that day, barely three months after Merdeka (Independence from Britain), the late D.R.Seenivasagam, popularly known by his initials, D.R., Secretary-General of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), against all odds, wrested the seat of IPOH-MENGLEMBU in the Federal Legislative Council (the forerunner to the present day Dewan Rakyat) from the ruling Alliance, a coalition of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) led by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman (the Tunku).

The seat of Ipoh-Menglembu became vacant when the incumbent was appointed Governor of Malacca upon Merdeka.

It was a straight fight. The Alliance was represented by its powerful MCA Perak State Secretary, YAP YIN FAH, a well-to-do tin miner. D.R.SEENIVASAGAM, a young 36-year old lawyer was the PPP candidate. This was D.R.'s second attempt at the seat. In the 1955 General Elections, D.R. managed to poll only 808 votes and lost his deposit. MCA's LEONG YEW KOH won by a landslide.

The Alliance was tipped to win again due to its incumbency and its vast resources in terms of manpower and finance. The PPP was clearly the underdog. At the start of the one-month campaign, even the bookies did not give the PPP a fighting chance. The by-election was held against a backdrop of sporadic demonstrations by Chinese Middle School students.

Like most urban areas in pre-Merdeka Malaya, Ipoh was the undisputed stronghold of the MCA. Formed in 1949, the MCA's primary role was to organise the resettlement of Chinese settlers in New Villages against Communist insurgents and terrorists. The MCA also held sway over the Chinese community generally including the associations and guilds. It was also tasked with providing assistance to obtain citizenship for the Chinese people, many of whom were illiterate or had very little knowledge of the Malay language. Over time, such services deteriorated and confidence among the Chinese community began to diminish due to the presence of cliques within the MCA and also the never-ending struggle for power among over exuberant young leaders.

The PPP, on the other hand, after their poor performance at the 1955 polls, embarked on an aggressive expansion programme and was fairly successful. The party focussed their attention on door-to-door campaigning and the registration of new members. Led by D R and a small group of professionals, the party had by the time of the by-election managed to build up grassroot support among the working class - the hawkers, the rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, petty traders, coolies, etc. The Chinese community, in general, was cognisant of the dire need for an alternative political vehicle to represent them. In the PPP, they see in the person of D.R. as one who despite of a different ethnicity was prepared to take on contentious issues affecting them and to champion their cause.

The campaign began in earnest by both contesting parties. Rallies were held in various areas within the constituency practically every night. Most open spaces were fully taken up for this purpose. The Ipoh Padang was the preferred choice of the Alliance whilst the Children's Playground was the main battleground of the PPP. The rallies of the PPP were generally well attended as the people were mesmerized by fiery speeches made its leaders. The stand adopted by the PPP on most issues resonated with their aspirations. In response, the crowd applauded loudly. Half way through the campaign, most observers gave the PPP a 50-50 chance.

By comparison, attendance at Alliance's rallies was dismal. About half a dozen government ministers from Kuala Lumpur took part in the campaign. Even the presence of the Tunku himself towards the tail end of the campaign did not help. To make matters more embarrassing, the Prime Minister was booed by a small section of the crowd that night.

The results were announced shortly after midnight. There was a massive swing against the Alliance. D.R. polled 5911 votes while Yap received 4091 votes. The majority was 1820 votes. In 1955, Leong Yew Koh got in with a majority of more than 5000 votes over his three opponents.

D.R.'s victory was due to the solid support of the majority Chinese electorate including the associations and guilds. Even in Yap's hometown of Menglembu, the people voted en masse in favour of the 'six-pointed red star' (symbol of the PPP) and not the 'blue sailing boat" (Alliance's symbol) as before. Prominent business leaders of the day like Lau Pak Khuan and millionaire tin miner Foong Seong also threw in their support for the PPP at the closing stages of the campaign. Most of all, D.R. succeeded in hammering home the need for a "real" Opposition in the Legislative Council.

The Tunku was devastated. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that the Alliance would lose, for as far as he was concerned, Ipoh was the jewel in the crown for his party. According to the Chinese press, the Tunku was so infuriated that he refused to take Yap's calls let alone meet him in person to explain the fiasco. UMNO claimed that Yap had failed to answer repeated accusations made by D.R. in the course of the campaign, creating in the public mind that the charges were true and could not be rebutted. Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak blamed the Chinese school students of helping D.R. in his campaign. D.R. vehemently denied this.

D R.'s triumphant entry to the Legislative Council effectively meant Ipoh had produced the first non-Malay Opposition Leader in the House in post-Merdeka Malaya. D.R. held this rare distinction until the First General Elections for the Dewan Rakyat in 1959. This achievement which has been overlooked must be given due recognition.(Tuan Haji Ahmad bin Hussain of the Pan Malayan Islamic Party (PMIP), now known as PAS was the sole Opposition member in the 1955 General Elections).

Footnote.

The above is my personal recollection of memories and corroborated by some senior friends whom I have no reason to doubt. To the best of my knowledge, all the pieces of information are factually correct and true. Nothing is exaggerated although some descriptions are based on anecdotal evidence. It is never my intention to be partisan in any way.

I have met and spoken to the late Mr. Yap on a few occasions in the late 60s. He was a customer of the bank where I worked. Always smartly attired in his white shirt and long short pants together with long stockings, he was a friendly person by nature and had a very loud voice. I found him to be quite reticent at times.

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