By outdoor-nature-child.com In an interview on October 21, the Executive Director of the Chinese Museum of Malaysia, Lin Jiahao, reflected on the significance of honoring Tan Kah Kee on the occasion of his 150th birthday. “The Chinese Museum aims to fully showcase the history and current circumstances of the Malaysian Chinese community, and clearly, Mr. Tan and the spirit he embodies cannot be overlooked,” he stated.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a striking statue of Tan Kah Kee. Lin pointed out that one of the most valuable artifacts related to Tan is a membership badge from the “Nanyang Chinese Association,” which was acquired in July of this year. The oval-shaped badge, marked with inscriptions like “Nanyang Chinese Association,” “77,” and “Nation Building,” bears signs of rust and the passage of time. Lin noted that this particular badge is rare, and it was donated to the museum by Mr. Chen Laihua from Singapore.
Following the start of China’s all-nation resistance against Japanese aggression in 1937, Tan initiated the establishment of the “Malaya-Singapore Chinese Relief Committee for the Motherland’s Wounded Soldiers and Refugees.” He went on to unite Chinese communities across Southeast Asia to form the “Nanyang Chinese Relief Committee for the Motherland’s Refugees” (Nanyang Association) and was elected as its chairman. After its establishment, the association raised funds and goods to support the war effort. In 1939, Tan, serving as the Nanyang Association’s chairman, issued a call for overseas Chinese workers to return to China to serve, which led to the formation of the “Nanyang Chinese Workers’ Service Corps,” significantly contributing to the war effort. Malaysian Chinese played an important role in this initiative.
Lin emphasized that this membership badge encapsulates the patriotism and aspirations of the overseas Chinese represented by Tan Kah Kee. The museum has also established a dedicated exhibition area for the Nanyang Chinese Workers, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the enthusiastic support provided by Malaysian Chinese during the war.
To further enhance the visitor experience, the museum plays recordings of the sounds from a rubber plantation, including birds, insects, and human voices, creating an immersive environment. Additionally, two rubber sheet pressing machines, donated by Tan Kah Kee’s son-in-law, Li Guangqian, from the Nan Ying Group, are on display. Lin explained that the rubber industry was Tan’s most significant business involvement and a vital part of the economic development journey of the Nanyang Chinese. He aims for these exhibits to provide visitors with a more profound understanding of the rubber industry’s production process and its impact on the life and history of the Nanyang Chinese community.
The museum has also collected a vast array of old shop signs and artifacts from the Chinese diaspora, effectively “rebuilding” many traditional shops and pairing them with recorded sounds from early Malaysian and Singaporean markets. These displays illustrate the real-life experiences of overseas Chinese at the time. According to Lin, this reflects the critical role the museum plays in perpetuating the spirit of Tan Kah Kee, as it highlights not only his legacy but also the nurturing ground for his ideals and contributions.
Lin shared that since its inception, the museum has actively collaborated with organizations such as the Tan Kah Kee Foundation and the Tan Kah Kee Memorial Hall to promote Kah Kee’s spirit within Malaysian society. In Malaysia, beyond the Chinese Museum, there are several other exhibitions connected to Tan, including the Tan Kah Kee Memorial Hall located at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and the Kah Kee Study Room established at Xiamen University Malaysia. The local Chinese community also hosts annual events such as the Tan Kah Kee Spirit Award ceremony and a knowledge competition focused on his legacy. In the land where Tan Kah Kee lived, the spirit of Tan continues to thrive and be passed on through generations.