Ipoh native rises to global scholarly acclaim

New Straits Times

08-06-2025

AN international scholar. A revered academic. A visionary leader. A devoted husband and loving grandfather. At nearly 95, Professor Wang Gungwu is all these and more — a man whose life reads like a tapestry woven through some of the most defining moments in modern Asian history.
From surviving the Japanese occupation to witnessing the turbulent days of the Chinese Civil War, the dangerous years of the Malayan Emergency and the unsettled post-colonial aftermath, Wang's remarkable journey reflects the story of a region in flux and a man who'd go on to shape its academic, cultural and political discourse.
Born in Surabaya in 1930, Wang spent his formative years in the vibrant tin-mining town of Ipoh, Malaysia. His roots traced back to Taizhou in China, and with generations of scholars in his ancestry, education coursed naturally through his veins.
It was his father Wang Fuwen's passion for education that sparked Wang's lifelong devotion to scholarship.
"My father's commitment to education was unwavering," he'd later say, and that early influence set him on a path of learning that would take him across continents.
Throughout his decades-long career, Wang has taught and mentored thousands of students around the world, many of whom would go on to become distinguished figures in academia and public service.
Among them were Malaysian political stalwart Tun Lim Keng Yaik, the eminent historian Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim, Professor Jeyamalar Kathirithambi of Cambridge University and Professor Chong Weng Eang of Hong Kong University.
His contributions have earned him accolades from universities and institutions across Australia, Beijing, Cambridge, Harvard, Malaya, Singapore and Tokyo.
Beyond academia, he was awarded the Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II and the Dato Paduka Mahkota title by the Sultan of Perak.
Smiling, Wang enthuses: "I received my Dato title from Sultan Nazrin Shah at his palace. He's a highly qualified man who takes his study and research seriously".
Wang's numerous awards bear testimony to his lifetime of sterling contributions across various fields.
Despite his lofty stature, meeting the formidable professor was a surprisingly disarming experience.
Any apprehension before the interview quickly faded as he welcomes me with a calm voice and warm, reassuring smile. Soon, I find myself utterly captivated — like a child at a grandfather's feet, spellbound by tales of distant lands and ancient empires.
Speaking in an infectious manner with a flowing eloquence and a twinkle in his eye, his enthusiasm betrayed his age. With a broad sweep of his arm, he leads me back across the vast steppe to medieval Eurasia, instantly conjuring up in my mind images of Genghis Khan and his Mongolian horde rampaging across the vast plains and laying siege on the cities of Vienna, Krakow and Budapest. (During my lectures in these cities as visiting professor, I recall seeing a number of Asian looking faces with green eyes and blond hair).
Lowering his voice, he delves into the political intrigues and intricacies of the inner court of the Tang and Ming dynasties. I feel like I'm being transported back to medieval China and Europe, all at once. An afternoon passed in what felt like mere minutes.
Yet, for all his worldly experiences, it is his carefree childhood in Ipoh that he cherishes most.
"Ipoh was the source of my Malayan consciousness," he reflects.
At Anderson School, he forged friendships that crossed racial lines, with schoolmates like Aminuddin Baki — later hailed as the Father of Malaysian Education — Inder Singh and James Murugasu.
Outside school, he fondly recalled friends from Methodist Girls' School and St Michael's Institution.
But those happy days were abruptly shattered by war. The Japanese occupation brought with it unspeakable horrors, and decades later, Wang still shudders at the memory of executions he witnessed as a boy.
Listening to forbidden broadcasts on a hidden radio, he followed news of battles raging in faraway Europe, Burma and the Pacific.
"We knew the risks," he admits quietly, adding: "If the Japanese had caught us, it would have meant death."
STUDENT OF A NEW NATION
With no university in Malaya after the war, Wang set off for the Central University of Nanking in China. Yet, the civil war between the Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang soon upended his studies. As artillery thundered in the distance, he narrowly escaped the chaos by climbing through the window of a departing train bound for Shanghai.
While waiting to enter University of Malaya, Wang accompanied his father during his tours around Perak as a school inspector.
Frowning with concern, he recalls: "It was during the Emergency. We had to be careful. There were many ambushes and battles between the British forces and communist guerrillas".
Returning home, he eventually enrolled at the newly founded University of Malaya in Singapore in 1949 as part of its pioneering batch of students.
"The inauguration was a grand affair," he recalls with a smile.
The event was attended by Governor-General of Malaya and Commissioner-General of Southeast Asia Sir Malcolm MacDonald, colonial dignitaries and Malayan royalty. It was an exciting time for him. However, it was at the height of the Emergency and the British authorities were keeping a close watch on campus activities. As president of the students' union, Wang actively supported nationalist causes to promote democracy.
He also met with some medical students, including one Mahathir Mohamed, Majid "Coco" Ismail and Tan Chee Koon — all of whom rose to prominence later. His vision for a progressive multi-racial future led him to become one of the founders of the Gerakan party later in Malaysia.
As a student leader at Dunearn Road Hostel (Sheares Hall now), he enjoyed working with and learning from students coming from Malaya and Singapore. Among them were Sim Kee Boon, Zakaria Haji Ali and Hamzah Sendut, who became the first vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Penang.
Amid activism and academics, fate intervened in the form of Margaret Lim Ping Ting — a bright and talented student. Their meeting, fittingly, was at one of Wang's campus talks about the Romantic poets.
"Incredibly, William Wordsworth brought us together," he chuckles.
Margaret, an accomplished violinist, poet and badminton champion, shared his ideals and supported his ambitions. Their connection was instantaneous, and it wasn't long before wedding bells followed.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Wang pursued a PhD in history at the University of London in 1954. There, over spirited debates about Malaya's future, he forged friendships with contemporaries like Melakan Goh Keng Swee, who'd later become Singapore's deputy prime minister.
In 1957, a double celebration awaited.
"I obtained my PhD, and Malaya won its Merdeka," he beams. "The pride was indescribable."
In 1962, at just 32, he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malaya. In line with Tunku Abdul Rahman's vision for a united Malaysia, he spearheaded a monumental study, Malaysia: A Survey, advocating ideals of freedom, democracy and equality before the law.
While Wang ascended academia's ranks, Margaret shaped future generations as head of department at the Malayan Teachers' College, training English language teachers for a newly independent nation. Both of them had made a lasting contribution in shaping the educational landscape of the new nation.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR
In 1968, Professor Wang joined the Australian National University as professor of history and head of department. He thrived amid the excellent resources and open research environment, spending 18 fruitful years producing seminal works on Chinese and Southeast Asian history.
His wife Margaret remained his rock — nurturing their family, raising their children in Canberra and supporting his academic pursuits.
In recognition of his outstanding work, Wang was appointed as vice-chancellor of Hong Kong University (HKU) from 1986 to 1995.
Hong Kong was a vibrant city of finance, commerce and entertainment, famous for its movie and music industry. Given his deep interest about China and its rapid development, it was an irresistible offer as he could see China up close for the first time.
During his stint at the university, Wang enjoyed working with many top talents from around the world. However, it was also a period filled with tension and headlines as the Tiananmen Incident and the handover of Hong Kong cast a long shadow over the colony.
LEGACY IN SINGAPORE
After retiring from HKU, Wang was appointed the executive chairman of the Institute of East Asian Political Economy and director of the East Asian Institute of Singapore in 1996.
With his usual charismatic energy and tireless dedication, he led both institutes with distinction. His outstanding leadership and scholarship at the National University of Singapore earned him the title of "University Professor" — a mark of esteem reserved for the very best.
Even today, Wang is still pushing the boundaries of knowledge, a reflection of his intellectual power and demonstration of active ageing. He has just published a book titled Roads to Chinese Modernity: Civilisation and National Culture.
His recent seminars were highly illuminating and insightful, provoking deep thought and promoting a better understanding of the complex global issues facing us.
In an era of noise and division, Wang's wisdom remains a steady, reassuring presence. His deeply reasoned perspectives cut through the fog of uncertainty, offering clarity on the complex global issues we face.
From Ipoh to London, Canberra to Hong Kong, and now Singapore, Wang's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, curiosity and integrity.
His story stands as a beacon for future generations — proof that even in turbulent times, one can rise with courage, compassion and a steadfast commitment to truth.
As he reflects on a remarkable life, we wish Professor Wang many more years of health and wisdom.
Postscript: After a long illness, Margaret Lim passed away in 2020. She is dearly missed. May her soul rest in peace.