Tuesday, 8 March 2016 – The collection of private papers of prominent persons donated to the research library at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute expanded further today. The latest addition are those of the banker and philanthropist Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan.
Mr Tan Chin Tiong, Director, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute delivering the opening remarks. Seated with him at the front table (from left to right) are Professor Wang Gungwu, Chairman, ISEAS Board of Trustees; Ms Chew Gek Hiang and Mr Chew Kwee San, both Council Members, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
To view the welcoming remarks, please click here.
He added, “These individuals include Mr S. Rajaratnam, former Singapore Foreign Minister, Mr Lim Kim San, former Minister for National Development and Defence, prominent Malaysia political leaders, Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and renowned scholars, Professor Syed Hussein Alatas and Professor Wang Gungwu, as well as scholar/diplomat, Professor Tommy Koh”.
Once properly catalogued, the papers will be available to scholars and academics for research purposes. Many are already digitized.
Both Mr Tan and Mr Chew signing the handover agreement during the ceremony
(Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
ISEAS began collecting these research materials in 1971, and in recent years, and the Institute has published several noted biographies based on them, such as those of Tun Dr Ismail, Lim Kim San, Gerald de Cruz and S. Rajaratnam. A book on Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik is in the pipeline.
Professor Wang presenting the digitized collection of Tan Chin Tuan Private Papers to Ms Chew
(Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
Display of the private paper collection by ISEAS Library (Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
A preliminary study done on the Tan Chin Tuan Papers indicate that they will be useful for research into the lives and politics of the Malayan Chinese in India during the Second World War. While a temporary residents in India during the war years, Mr Tan Chin Tuan, together with Mr Tan Cheng Lock, became conscious of the racial discrimination faced by the Chinese community under British rule. Following the war, both of them became strong advocates against racial discrimination.
Mr Chew Kwee San, Council Member, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation said, “My grandfather Tan Sri (Dr.) Tan Chin Tuan, was a man who lived a principled and illustrious life. With the conservation of his collection, my family hopes that his work would be able to spur greater research and understanding of Singapore’s history. It is also our way of continuing his legacy.”
Another area that will be of particular interest and research value will be Singapore’s business history from the 1950s to the 1990s, including the history of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC). Mr Tan Chin Tuan helmed the bank from 1966 to 1983. As one of the largest banks during the time of Singapore’s independence, OCBC and Mr Tan Chin Tuan played a major role in the financial and commercial of Singapore and the region.
Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Deputy Director, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute said, “History is a multifaceted thing. The more first-hand material we have access to, the more exciting and profound our past becomes, and that gets reflected in how we appreciate ourselves today. ISEAS’ collection is enviably large now, and I hope historians and other scholars will make full use of it.”
Mr Pitt Kuan Wah, Head of Library, ISEAS, leading the guided tour with the guests after the handover ceremony
(Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
The Tan Chin Tuan collection covers 14 shelf metres, equivalent to about 7 percent of the 200 shelf metres of private papers held at ISEAS Library.
Guests attending the handover ceremony (Source: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
Close to 50 guests attended the handover ceremony, which was jointly organized by ISEAS and Tan Chin Tuan Foundation today.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The Straits Times – Private papers that give rare insight into ‘Mr OCBC’ to be showcased online for public soon
To read more, click here.
The Straits Times – New documents give rare insight into Mr OCBC
To read more, click here.
Berita Harian – Koleksi dokumen Tan Chin Tuan jadi bahan berharga bagi penyelidikan
To read more, click here.
Lianhe Zaobao – 构成新加坡集体回忆 陈振传私人文献捐赠东南亚研究院
To read more, click here.