MCA veteran and former party deputy president Tun Michael Chen Wing Sum died at the age of 92 today.
According to Chinese daily Sin Chew, Chen’s death was confirmed by his daughter.
Chen, a lawyer by profession, began his career at 24 as a journalist at a local Chinese daily in Penang.
In 1961, while studying in London, he was approached by then MCA president Tun Tan Siew Sin to become MCA chief secretary, but he declined.
In the 1964 general election, he entered politics, contested the Damansara seat, and won against DAP.
Following his victory, he was appointed by former premier Tun Abdul Razak Hussein as his parliamentary secretary for five years.
In 1969, Chen lost the Damansara seat to DAP but returned in 1972 to win the Ulu Selangor seat against DAP.
He served as special functions minister from 1972 to 1974, then as the housing, local government, and new village minister from 1974 to 1979.
In the 1982 general election, he contested the Beruas parliamentary seat under Gerakan’s banner and won, serving until 1986.
From 1997 to 2003, Chen served as a senator and was the Senate president from 2000 to 2003.
In September 2017, Chen was among three to be conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) award by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, which carries the title Tun. – 26 July 2024.
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