Choo Siu Heng
Choo Siu Heng (Chinese: 朱秀兴; 1929 – 12 September 2011) was a Singapore political activist who remained with the People's Action Party for 55 years. He joined the party in 1956, though he was soon arrested and deported to China by the local government for being "pro-Communist". After his return in 1962, he joined the party's Ulu Pandan, which he chaired in from 1968 to 1991.
Early life and education
[edit]Choo was born in the Malaysian state of Johor in 1929.[1]
Career
[edit]Choo joined the People's Action Party in 1956 to "fight for independence". He began serving as the secretary of the party's branch in Bukit Timah.[2] However, a year later, he was among several activists detained in the Changi Prison by the Lim Yew Hock government for being "Pro-Communist".[3] In September 1958, Choo was deported to a farm in Guangzhou, China. Though the People's Action Party came into power following the 1959 Singaporean general election, Choo was only returned in December 1962,[4] after which he began working for the party's Ulu Pandan branch. In this period, he began participating in the party's preparations and activities for general elections. In 1966, he was placed in charge of the accounts of the party's headquarters, a responsibility he continued to hold until 1985. Choo was made the chairman of the Ulu Pandan branch in 1968, remaining in the position until 1991.[2] In June 1973, he became a member of the Ulu Pandan Citizens' Consultative Committee.[5]
Choo was awarded the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat in 1974.[6] As of 1977, he was serving as the chairman of the Ghim Moh Community Centre Management Committee. In 1978, he was awarded the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat. From March 1982 to March 1989, he was an honorary patron of the Ulu Pandan Community Centre Management Committee. He became the Vice-Chairman of the Ulu Pandan Citizens' Consultative Committee in November 1983 and remained in this position until October 1987.[5] In 1983, Choo received the Long Service Certificate, which was followed by the Pingat Bakti Setia in the following year. He again received the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat in 1985. By then, he had become a restuarnt owner, a community leader in the Ulu Pandan area, and an advisor to several trade associations, including the Ghim Moh Market and Shop Merchants' Association and the Singapore Taxi Drivers' Association. He also sat on several committees, including the Ulu Pandan scholarship fund.[6] He was the owner of the bookstore of the Ghim Moh Primary School. In 1987, he received the Ministry of Community Development Awards for his community work.[5]
Personal life and death
[edit]Choo was married to Liem Bik Lu, with whom he had four children. In early August 2011, Choo was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with cancer. After learning that he had weeks to live, he asked to be discharged. Choo died on 12 September, after which he was buried at the Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery. Following his death, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent Liem a letter of condolence.[2] On 24 November 2012, Lee launched the Choo Siu Heng Scholarship in honour of him.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "CHOO Siu Heng @ CHOO Siew Heng 朱秀兴". nas.gov.sg. National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "PM Lee pays tribute to PAP stalwart: Nation, party fortunate to have dedicated, selfless activists like the late Choo Siu Heng". The Straits Times. Singapore. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Teo, Wan Gek (13 September 2011). "55-year PAP activist Choo Siu Heng dies". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "朱秀兴入党32年". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore. 25 January 1988. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Mr. Choo Siu Heng conferred the Public Service Star (Bar) in 1985". nlb.gov.sg. National Library Board. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ a b "He believes in doing his bit". The Straits Times. Singapore. 13 August 1985. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Chan, Robina (25 November 2012). "Paying tribute to a grassroots pioneer: Scholarship in honour of late activist will help fund local university education of residents". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 1 May 2025.