The 'Perak-China Connection 1891-1941' and Sun Yat Sen

Alexandra Sun presented Dr Leong a fan and coaster, Justin Sun presented Khoo Salma a bronze statue of Sun Yat Sen

The talk ‘The Perak China Connection 1891-1941’ which was held at 15 Clarke Street was an enlightening talk to welcome Alexandra Sun the great grandniece of Sun Yat Sen. Her entourage included her son Justin Sun, Khoo Salma and Abdur-Razzaq Lubis from the Sun Yat Sen Penang Museum and students from Wutong Youth Organisation of Nanjing Normal University (NNU). 

Justin Sun signing in, at back is Alexandra Sun 

Organised by Dr Leong Oon Keong the evening event was a low key event as Alexandra had attended similar events over 2 days. However in attendance were interested community groups such Perak Academy and YLCO Museum.

Dr Leong had encouraged everyone to partake of a light desert of Tau Fu Fah as his talk would be long. It was a gesture and almost everyone agreed with the idea. 

Khoo Salma and Alexandra pose for a photo while other guest have a light desert of Tau Fu Fah

..at the hall of Dr Leongs at 15 Clarke Street.... 

..the 'Perak Connection' talk 

The talk was on Perak’s Chinese community who was supportive of Dr Sun Yat Sen' revolution and they wholly contributed to his cause. I presumed the supporters were the migrants who made the perilous journey to Nanyang to support their families back home.

The slides, which Dr Leong prepared himself, gave a good idea who was involved and the local leaders (click on the slide to expand the photo)

the supporters, basically everyone 

They were from all backgrounds be it the lowest of the working chain, even the artistic dramatist group who reached the illiterate Chinese labourers to the elites they all contributed to the common cause. 

..what happened during the early years and the start of Perak Chamber of Commerce 

It wasn’t till February 1930 when Governor Sir Cecil Clementi enforced the KMT (Kuomintang) ban. In that same year the Perak Chinese Assembly Hall (PCAH) was established. PCAH would unite Chinese Associations across Perak, coordinate educational and cultural activities, provide a forum for different dialects could work together and represent the Chinese community to the Colonial government. KMT leaders took positions in the colonial administration and voiced Chinese interests.

the banning of the KMT, the start of the PCAH and the migration of KMT members to Colonial administration

..the Chinese community worked hard for a better future ...

The talk was quite long but was very interesting. Alexandra commented there was so much more involvement by the community.

Then came dinner and a presentation of gifts. Alexandra presented Dr Leong with Coaster of a Tamarind tree and a fan with Sun Yat Sen calligraphi. Justin Sun, Alexandra’s son, presented to Khoo Salma a bronze statue of Sun Yat Sen.

(l/p) Hansen Lau, Dr Leong, Alexandra Sun, Yang Arif Leong Wai Hong . (r/p) Chan Kok Keong, Datuk Hew Choy Kon, Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, Dr Leong 

(l/p) Michael Teh great grandson of Teh Lay Seng, Mrs Teh, Prof Tan Ai Boay. (r/p) Datuk Kwan Foh Kwai, William Leong Oon Soon.

(l/p) Ignatius Chew, Ansell Tan, Dr Leong (r/p) Jacky Chew, Lau Sook Mei, Law Siak Hong

(l/p) Catherine, Dr Beatrice Leong, Sabrina Leong, Dr Lim Hooi Hooi.(r/p) guitarist from China, KC Chan, Pauline Chew, Lau Sook Mei.

Dinner followed and photo posing time. It was an easy night until the students of Nanjing University serenaded us a goodnight with a melodious Auld Lang Syne sung in Chinese.

JAG / KC