Succeeded by Tun Abdul Malek Died January 12, 1963 Name Leong Koh | Spouse(s) Ho York Ling Majority Chinese | |
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Born 22 August 1888
Salak Utara, Sungai Siput, Perak, British Malaya ( 1888-08-22 ) Children 1. Ignatius Leong Kok Yin (M)
2. Cyril Leong Kok Cheong (M)
3. Agnes Leong (F)
4. Joseph Leong Kok Chee (M)
5. Anthony Leong Kok Hong (M)
6. Irene Leong (F)
7. Matilda Leong (F) Occupation MCA Secretary-General (1952–1957) Political party Malaysian Chinese Association | ||
Tun Leong Yew Koh (Chinese: 梁宇皋; pinyin: Liáng Yǔ Gāo; 22 August 1888 – 12 January 1963) was the first Governor of Malacca since independence.
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Background
Born in Salak Utara, Sungai Siput, Perak on 22 August 1888, Leong was the son of Leong Yew Teen, who was responsible in developing Salak Utara, Peak.
He went to Canton, China, for his early education. At age 13, he came back to Malaya from China and studied in Anglo-Chinese School Ipoh and St Xavier's Institution, Penang. 1906, at age 16, he joined Tongmenghui Singapore.
He went to the University of London in 1908, studying economics, sociology, political science and law. He graduated in 1912 with an LLB.
Legal career
He was called to the bar in 1920 and served as an advocate and solicitor in the Federated Malay States (FMS) and was also a member of the FMS Bar Committee until his resignation in 1932.
Political career
On 27 February 1949, Tun Tan Cheng Lock founded the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) along with Leong Yew Koh and Colonel H. S. Lee. He was the first Secretary-General of MCA.
He was appointed as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka on 31 August 1957, and served until 30 August 1959.
In 1958, he was awarded a federal title of Tun, bestowed by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agung of Malaya.
In 1959, he was appointed as Justice Minister of Malaya. He died on 12 January 1963.
He was the first Chinese to be appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in any of the Malaysian States. As of 2015, he is the only Chinese to be appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in any of the Malaysian States.