[UPDATED] DAP founding chairman Chen Man Hin dies at 97

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP founding member and its first chairman Dr Chen Man Hin died at his residence in Seremban this morning.

The 97-year-old had chaired the party between 1966 to 1999, a position he eventually relinquished to Lim Kit Siang following the party’s disastrous outing during the general election the same year.

A doctor by profession, Dr Chen was subsequently appointed as DAP’s lifetime adviser, having been MP for the Seremban Timor constituency from 1969 to 1974.

He subsequently went on to represent the Seremban constituency four more times between 1974 to 1999.

Following his political retirement, Dr Chen went on to blog his opinions and pen tribute pieces for several years. 

Dr Chen, who was born in China but grew up entirely in Seremban, is survived by five children and his wife.

He graduated from Universiti Malaya’s King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore in 1952 before going on to serve in public hospitals.

Eventually, Dr Chen set up his own practice in his hometown, known as Chen Dispensary, which continues to operate to this day.

In a Facebook post, current DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng expressed his sadness following Dr Chen’s passing.

“On the way to Seremban from Penang to express our heartfelt condolences to his family. Rest in peace,” he said.

In expressing his deepest condolences to Dr Chen’s family for their loss, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming said the DAP veteran will always be remembered for his enormous contribution to the party and nation-building. 

“Rest in peace, dear Dr Chen,” he tweeted.

Similar tributes were also expressed by other DAP leaders including Klang MP Charles Santiago, Kampar MP Thomas Su and Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, among others. – The Vibes, August 17, 2022