Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies (TCLC)

Activities Report

Launching of The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre For Social
and Policy Studies (TCLC) and Exhibition as National Statesman  

Date: 28th Febuary 2017
Venue: UTAR, Sungai Long Campus

The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies was launched by the MCA President (cum Minister of Transport Malaysia) and UTAR President, together with the granddaughter of late Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Datin Paduka Tan Shiok Choo (Chairperson of United Malacca Bhd) as a tribute to the late Tun Tan Cheng Lock as one of the country’s founding fathers and the first President of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. TCLC was set up with an initial donation of RM, one million from MCA. 


Distinguished guests present at the ceremony proper  were UTAR Chancellor, Tun Dr Ling  Liong Sik, his spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling, TCLC Steering Committee Chairman cum UTAR Council member Senator, Dato’ Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, and TCLC Chairperson, Assoc. Prof Chin Yee Mun.   (Other VIPs and VVIPs are mentioned below)        

The total number of people who attended the event was 400, which included the public, VIPs and VVIPs. Other VIPs and VVIPs who attended the launching ceremony are:

  1. YB Ong Chong Swen, Wanita MCA Selangor State chief
    Wanita MCA National Vice-Chairman
  2. Mr Chow Sing Yau, Chairman, Centre for Malaysian Chinese
  3. Professor Lee Kam Hing, Malaysian Chinese Research
    Centre, University of Malaya.
  4. Dr Mok Soon Chong, Vice Chancellor, New Era University College
  5. Dr Voon Phin Keong, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Era University College      
  6. YBhg Prof Dato’ Tai SY, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
  7. Prof Dr Mansor Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Seminar - Trends and Challenges of Chinese Malaysian Population

Date: 21st April 2017, 8.30am – 11.00am
Speakers: Ir. Professor Academician Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR President;
YB Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, MCA Deputy President; and
YB Senator Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, TCLT Steering Committee Chairman.

Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social & Policy Studies (TCLC) co-organized with the Centre of Chinese Studies (CCS) and The Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) in conjunction with the 60th National Day Celebration.    
It gathers scholars, NGOs and the Public to achieve the following:

  1. To serve as a platform to discuss trends of Chinese Malaysia population;
  2. To brainstorm the way the Chinese Malasysian to move forward based on the current population trend;
  3. To compile information and research papers  

The drop in Chinese Population will definitely lead to significance changes to the Malaysians social landscape. Various aspects of Malaysians’ everyday life will be affected be it economy, politic, culture or religion. The impact clearly felt in towns where the Chinese used to be form the majority. Economically, the Chinese community in these towns is not able to form the critical mass to support businesses that used to be dominated by the Chinese. Some Chinese-medium primary schools had to be shut down or relocated since the number of Chinese children cannot justify the existence of the schools. Politically, the decline of Chinese Population in these towns may also mean that their votes do not form the majority anymore.           

UTAR President, Ir. Prof Academician Dato’ Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, started the event with his welcoming speech proceeded with the opening speech by MCA Deputy President, YB Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong. The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre Steering Committee Chairman, YB Senator Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung.

Closing Ceremony

Closing Speech by TCLC Chairperson,
Dr Chin Yee Mun.

A total of 150 registered participants took part in the event, with 7 presenters and 250 attendees for the opening ceremony, inclusieve of VIPs and UTAR Staff members.

Among the 7 speakers and audience, some opined that the drop in Chinese Community birth rate is an outcome of social change. When society progresses, the way they conceptualize family will change. The family orientation and social values may have shifted from collectivism to more individualistic way of life. Nonetheless, the shift will generate effects that are faced by the Chinese Malaysian Community today. The question is now, how should the Chinese Malaysian community react to such effects? Is there a need for the community to be concerned about the effects?  If they are concerned, what are their concerns and what are their concern and what should be done?           

Road Belt Initiative Seminar

Co-organised with: INSAP
Date: 20th December 2017

The primary objective of the Seminar is to publish a book on “One Road One Belt”, based on all papers presented with an open discussion with designated invitees.

As the seminar was intended to be a closed door session and only invited guest were allowed to attend, the registered number of participants were 30, with a total of 6 papers presented.

Publication of the book “One Road One Belt”, is targeted for the 1st quarter of 2018.