The pioneer of Chinese education and Dong Jiao Zong advisor, Sim Mok Yu, passed away yesterday at 9.15pm in his Malacca residence. He was 96.

Sim, who was earlier warded at the Pantai Ayer Keroh Medical Centre, in the city returned home last night and died from old age.

210306 headmaster djz sim mok yu Born 1913 in Malacca, Sim was among the founders of Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers' Association of Malaysia). He was also appointed as Jiao Zong chairperson in 1965 and served until May 1994. He was also the LLG Cultural Development Centre chairperson.

In 1981, he led Jiao Zong to stand up against Barisan Nasional's 3M campaign. In 1999, Sim was awarded the LLG Spirit award in recognition of his efforts in championing Chinese education.

Sim joined MCA in 1949 and founded MCA Youth in May 1955. He was elected MCA Youth vice-chairperson in Feb 1966.

Detained under ISA

In 1965, he launched a campaign for Mandarin to be recognised as an official language in the country. However, his determination in the campaign led to his eventual discharge from MCA on Oct 18, 1966.

In the 1970s, he was one of the first activists to be charged under the Sedition Act but the case was later dismissed by the court.

In October 1987, the then 74-year-old Sim was detained under the ISA during Operasi Lalang for speaking out against the government in the appointment of non-Mandarin educated teachers in Chinese schools. He was released in June 1988.

Sim had the rare honour to be conferred a 'datukship' in 1999 by the Malacca governor.

Jiao Zong today expressed grief over Sim's passing in a press statement.

"We will always remember your teachings and will hold on to your enthusiasm. The fight for Chinese education will never end until we have achieved equality," said the statement.