KUALA LUMPUR – Academicians and peers have called on the government to further recognise renowned rubber and oil palm innovator Tan Sri Dr B.C. Sekhar.
The call comes following the decision by the Kerala state assembly in India on Thursday to name one of its soon-to-be-established, fully autonomous inter-university centres and schools after Sekhar.
Universiti Malaya’s Assoc Prof Sivachandralingam Sundara Raja said Sekhar – affectionately known as the father of the Malaysian rubber industry – is one of the Malaysians not given enough recognition over the years.
“I think this could be due to the failure of historians to highlight such figures in textbooks and mainstream media.
“It is important to relook the roles played by Malaysians post-independence to develop the nation, irrespective of race.”
Sivachandralingam said organisations related to Sekhar, such as the Rubber Research Institute, should at least name a facility or grant a scholarship under his name to aid students pursuing higher degrees and researchers.
“Another option is to start an endowment fund with a university to undertake research under his name.”
Sekhar, he said, is one of the many unsung heroes in Malaysian history.
“Other unsung heroes include Thambosamy Pillai, Yap Kwan Seng, Ang Seng, and many more.
“Ang Seng was responsible for building the government quarters in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“It is sad to note that Malaysian students will know H.N. Ridley better than Sekhar,” he said referring to the English botanist who pioneered the rubber industry in 19th-century Malaya.
Sivachandralingam called on the government to set up a body to study the role of Malaysians in various sectors from the 1900s to 1960s.
“By doing so, we will be able to see how all races have played their roles in developing Malaysia.
“I'm sure there are many figures in the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and other sectors who are acclaimed abroad but not known locally.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya’s Assoc Prof Hamidin Hamid echoed similar sentiments, saying Sekhar is less recognised in his own country.
“Malaysians are too obsessed with politicians. We (end up) ignoring intellectuals and researchers like Sekhar.”
When asked about local recognition for Sekhar, Hamidin said it depends on the institutions linked to the rubber innovator.
However, veteran economist Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the government did recognise Sekhar for his work and contributions with the Tan Sri title, among other awards in the past.
“However, what the Kerala state government has done in recognising him at present is laudable and should be appreciated.
Echoing Sivachandralingam’s thoughts, Ramon said: “Perhaps the government or agencies related to Sekhar’s work should at least set up a scholarship or research grant under his name to recognise our Malaysian son.” He added that as a peer, Sekhar was an exceptional person and Ramon admired him greatly.
State Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, tabling Kerala’s 2021-22 budget, said that Sekhar – the father of Petra chairman and group chief executive Datuk Dr Vinod Sekhar – is among 14 prominent scientific scholars from Kerala or of Keralan descent to be given the honour.
Sekhar, who was born in the Ulu Bulu estate in Selangor on November 17, 1929, had devoted his life to the advancement of research and development of natural rubber as well as palm oil.
He received multiple awards during his career, filed dozens of patents under his name, and published more than 130 research papers before passing away on September 6, 2006 at the age of 77. – The Vibes, January 16, 2021
