Yap Sin Tian, former chairman of the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), passed away on Tuesday morning at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. He was 87 years old.

Yap’s death was confirmed by Chow Siew Hon, a former deputy chairman of Dong Zong. Born in 1939, Yap spent much of his life dedicated to education and activism in Malaysia’s Chinese community. He taught Bahasa Melayu at Chong Hwa Independent High School and Tsun Jin High School in Kuala Lumpur and was known for his literary contributions, including Chinese-to-Bahasa Melayu translations.

In the 1970s, Yap faced detention under the Internal Security Act for more than four years due to his involvement in an anti-eviction campaign in a squatter settlement in Kepong. After his release, he pursued a career in journalism and publishing before turning his efforts toward Chinese education advocacy.

Yap became active in Dong Zong in 1990 and was elected chairman in 2005, holding the position for a decade. During his tenure, the organisation played a prominent role in defending Chinese-language education in Malaysia. However, internal leadership disputes culminated in an extraordinary general meeting in August 2015, resulting in Yap being removed from his chairmanship amid a period of crisis within Dong Zong.

Despite facing health challenges, including a heart condition and high blood sugar, Yap remained committed to the cause of Chinese education. Until his passing, he served on the boards of multiple organisations within the sector, continuing to influence educational policy and community initiatives.

Yap’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in Malaysia’s Chinese education movement, reflecting decades of dedication to cultural preservation and advocacy.