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Malaysia: Tan Cheng Lok, Malayan Peranakan businessman and public figure, CBE, OBE, KBE (1883-1960)

Malaysia: Tan Cheng Lok, Malayan Peranakan businessman and public figure, CBE, OBE, KBE (1883-1960)

Tun Dato Sri Sir Cheng-lock Tan, DPMJ, KBE (Chinese: 陈祯禄; pinyin: Chén Zhēnlù; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tân Ching-lo̍k) was a Malaysian Chinese businessman and a key public figure who devoted his life to fighting for the rights and the social welfare of the Chinese community in Malaya.

Tan was also the founder of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), which advocated his cause for the Malaysian Chinese population.

Born on April 5, 1883, Tan was the third son of Tan Keong Ann, who had seven sons and daughters, and the fifth-generation Peranakan Chinese Malaysian living at 111, Heeren Street (Malay: Jalan Heeren) in Malacca. His ancestor, Tan Hay Kwan, a junk owner and trader, had migrated to Malacca from Zhangzhou prefecture in Fujian Province, China in 1771.

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