Tang Bao Guang was a model grassroots worker. Not only was he a very disciplined person but also a very committed political activist. Unfortunately, he was sacrificed in the struggle for democracy and social justice on Nov 28, 1965 as a result of police violence. He was only 28.

Tang was born in 1937 into a poor family of eight children at Kampong Wah Long, Kampar, Perak. While he was still young, his father died. As the third child in the family, he had to help lessen his mother's burden in bringing up his younger siblings.

As soon as he completed his studies at the Chung Hwa Primary School in 1948, Tang began to take up odd jobs in and around his village. In the mid-50s, Tang joined other youngsters to try his luck in Kuala Lumpur.

With the help of friends, he managed to get a job as a waiter in a coffee shop along Batu Road (now Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman).

Despite his meagre salary, Tang was still able to send money back to his mother in Kampar every month. He was very prudent in his daily expenses. For example, he chose to rent a cheaper room in Setapak even if he had to walk quite a distance to work.

Though he had quit schooling, Tang had not given up studies altogether. He read regularly to equip himself with knowledge so that he could deal with challenges in life.

During his spare time, Tang liked to read literary work such as that of Lu Xun a social critic and an outstanding writer in China during the 20s and 30s. Tang also learned to play the Er Hu , a Chinese musical instrument.

Socialist influence

Tang was an honest, optimistic and hard-working young man whom many people liked. His thinking was greatly influenced by socialism. Towards the end of the 50s, Tang joined the Labour Party of Malaya.

After becoming a Labour Party member, Tang decided to dedicate his life to the struggle for democracy and social justice under the Socialist Front (SF) a coalition of Labour Party and Parti Rakyat Malaya (PRM).

In 1963, Tang quit his job at the coffee shop and returned to his village. He became politically active and was elected as a committee member of Mambang Diawan Branch in Kampar.

In order to contribute more time and energy to the struggle, Tang chose not to take up permanent jobs. Tang had held temporary jobs in construction, tin mining and farming. Because he was capable of 'curing' rubber trees, the villagers gave him the title "Tree Doctor". He was also a talented cook, as many of his comrades who are still alive today would testify.

The SF members and supporters held Tang in high esteem because he was a responsible and conscientious grassroot leader. He also earned the trust of the SF leadership. In 1963, Tang was assigned to help the Liman Kati Branch in Kuala Kangsar in organisation work. He spent more than four months there and only returned to his village after his work was completed.

The July Campaign

In 1965, Perak SF launched a campaign named as "The July Campaign". The campaign was to protest against the US war in Vietnam. It was executed in three phases. In the first phase, leaflets were distributed widely from door to door. The second phase involved putting up posters and banners. In the final phase, indoor political talks and gatherings were held.

The activities taking place throughout Perak were suppressed by the Alliance government. Leaflets, posters and banners were snatched and taken down by the police. The activists were arrested and beaten up as well. Even the indoor activities were also disrupted.

The suppression of the Alliance government and police actions were unwarranted. The SF was a coalition of registered political parties and had every right to conduct such activities.

The Alliance had also resorted to the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act). Many of the SF activists and leaders were detained without trial. It was as if the Alliance was so afraid of the SF influence among the people.

The Alliance suppression had not deterred the activists from carrying on with the campaign. Tang was one of them at the forefront carrying out the activities.

Nov 28 celebration

On Nov 28, 1965, the PRM Malim Nawar branch celebrated its seventh anniversary. The celebration was held in the office building of Labour Party's Malim Nawar branch.

At around 7 pm, hundreds of SF members and supporters had already gathered in and around the building. The office was full of people. The programme that night consisted of talks by SF leaders as well as cultural performances.

After 8 pm, truckloads of FRU (Federal Reserved Unit) arrived. More than 200 FRU personnel surrounded the building. The police were high-handed, provocative and uncompromising. The attempt by organisers to negotiate with them was rejected. They then ordered the people to disperse and leave the premises within five minutes.

The police action was uncalled for. It had provoked the people. In return, the people shouted back at the police.

Without further warning, tear gas was fired towards the building and into the crowd. The people retaliated by throwing stones at the police. The situation became very tense. It was as if the police were at war with the people. As the thick smog of the tear gas became unbearable, the people withdrew and fled haphazardly in all directions.

At that moment, the police took the opportunity to charge at the people with batons. The police struck at the people indiscriminately and madly. They also chased after them.

Tang beaten to death

Tang with a group of people ran towards the villagers' houses. They were chased by a number of policemen. Somehow, Tang and several others ran into a blind alley. In order to escape, they had to jump over a wide drain. When Tang was about to jump over in the darkness, his legs were caught in a string of wire and fell into the drain.

Before Tang could climb out, four policemen surrounded him and beat him up repeatedly and mercilessly. Tang was killed there and then.

The Perak SF immediately set up a committee to take charge of Tang's funeral. It was only two days after his death that Tang's family could claim his body from the Kampar Hospital.

On Dec 1, 1965, more than 3,000 people attended Tang's funeral and the procession was a few kilometres long.

Tang's case was brought to the court on Dec 12, 1965. P G Lim was the lawyer representing the Tang family. Tang's witness and the hospital report could testify that he was beaten to death. The report stated that he died as a result of bleeding in the heart.

On Dec 28, 1965, many Kampar SF leaders and members including Tang's witness were detained under the ISA.

On Jan 28, 1966, the court ruled that Tang's death was a "misadventure".

Commemoration today

Apparently, Tang's death did not receive the justice it deserved. No one seems to learn anything from it too. Police violence continues till today because it seems that the police can get away with murder easily.

Many of Tang's comrades had been unjustly locked up for years under the Alliance regime and then under the Barisan Nasional regime. Nevertheless, they have not forgotten about Tang's misfortune.

A few years back, they formed a committee with the purpose to commemorate Tang and his struggle for democracy. Since then, around Nov 28 every year the commemoration event will take place. This year, the event was held at Tang's grave in Kampar yesterday (Nov 24).

Tang's contributions and sacrifices for the democratic struggle will be cherished and remembered forever. Hopefully, his struggle will be kept alive by a new generation of activists.

ANG HIOK GAI is deputy secretary-general of Parti Rakyat Malaysia.