Leong Yew Koh
| Leong Yew Koh (梁宇皋) | |
|---|---|
| 1st Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka | |
| In office 31 August 1957 – 30 August 1959 | |
| Succeeded by | Tun Abdul Malek |
| Majority | Chinese |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 August 1888 Salak Utara, Sungai Siput, Perak, British Malaya |
| Died | 12 January 1963 (aged 74) |
| Political party | Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) |
| Spouse(s) | Ho York Ling |
| Children | 1. Ignatius Leong Kok Yin (M) 2. Cyril Leong Kok Cheong (M) 3. Agnes Leong (F) 4. Joseph Leong Kok Chee (M) 5. Anthony Leong Kok Hong (M) 6. Irene Leong (F) 7. Matilda Leong (F) |
| Occupation | MCA Secretary-General (1952–1957) |
Tun Leong Yew Koh was the first Governor of Malacca since independence.
Background
Born in Salak Utara, Sungai Siput, Perak on 22 August 1888, Leong was the son of Leong Yew Teen, who was responsible in developing Salak Utara, Peak.
He went to Canton, China, for his early education. At age 13, he came back to Malaya from China and studied in Anglo-Chinese School Ipoh and St Xavier's Institution Pulau Pinang. 1906, at age 16, he joined Tongmenghui Singapore.
He went to the University of London in 1908, studying economics, sociology, political science and law. He graduated in 1912 with an LLB.
Legal Career
He was called to the bar in 1920 and served as an advocate and solicitor in the Federated Malay States (FMS) and was also a member of the FMS Bar Committee until his resignation in 1932.[1][2]
Political Career
On 27 February 1949, Tun Tan Cheng Lock founded the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) along with Tun Leong Yew Koh and Colonel H. S. Lee. He was the first Secretary-General of MCA.
He was appointed as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka on 31 August 1957, and served until 30 August 1959.
In 1958, he was awarded a federal title of Tun, bestowed by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agung of Malaya.
In 1959, he was appointed as Justice Minister of Malaya. He died on 12 January 1963.[3]
He was the first Chinese to be appointed as the Yang Dipertua Negeri in any of the Malaysian States.[4]