03/02/2026

TUESDAY | FEB 3, 2026

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Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Educator, Chinese community advocate passes away

PETALING JAYA: David Tan Piah Hoe, a Malaysian-born educator who went on to become a respected advocate for the Chinese community in the United Kingdom (UK), has passed away in London, aged 85. Tan, a former Westminster City Council Chinese community officer, died on Jan 9. He was born on Dec 12, 1940. Born in Cheras, Kajang, Tan received his early education at Kajang High School before embarking on a teaching career that would take him far beyond Malaysia’s shores. In 1959, he was awarded a two-year government scholarship for teacher training at Kirkby College in Liverpool, a programme that produced many of Malaysia’s early English educators. Upon returning home in 1961, Tan was posted to Terengganu, where he taught English and other subjects for five years. His commitment to education did not end there. In 1966, he returned to London with hopes of studying law, but financial constraints forced him to take up a teaching post instead at Canon Barnett School in East London. Tan returned briefly to Malaysia in 1970 to marry his longtime partner Anne Tay Kai Hwa, a nurse working in England at the time. They later settled in the UK, where he devoted the remainder Built on a 1.2ha plot, the mosque serves local worshippers while also attracting domestic and international visitors keen to explore Islam through its architecture, rich heritage and welcoming community. Its imam Adlu Kan Yong Sheng said the mosque’s distinctive Chinese architectural elements, from its gracefully curved roofs to a three-storey pagoda tower inspired by the Great Mosque of Xi’an, have become a key draw for visitors. He added that the mosque’s unique Chinese-inspired design, enhanced by a serene garden and koi pond, makes it the first of its kind in Selangor, captivating tourists from diverse backgrounds. “The initiative to build the mosque was proposed by Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association president Datuk Prof Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin and received the consent of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who paid special attention to the mosque’s concept and design as a symbol of cultural harmony. “To ensure the mosque’s architectural authenticity, he decreed that a study visit to China be carried out to examine several historic mosques before giving his consent for the final design.” Adlu said the mosque’s construction, which began at the end of 2019, was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, causing delays and logistical constraints, but the project was eventually completed and the mosque opened

o Funeral and memorial service to be held on Friday in Hendon, London

brought to preserve the mosque’s traditional architectural features, increasing its heritage value and tourism appeal. “Young visitors and photography enthusiasts are drawn to the mosque’s architecture. They often say it reminds them of ancient tales or kung fu films, which is why many come to take pictures, make videos or have wedding and graduation photoshoots. “In fact, some visitors even come dressed in traditional Chinese Muslim attire just to take pictures in the mosque garden.” Also drawing attention is the Islamic art gallery, which houses valuable collections from China, including 30 hand-carved gourds, each containing a juzuk of the Quran, as well as manuscripts and Quran translations in Mandarin, serving as a medium for education and dakwah . Adlu said the mosque’s cafeteria, serving traditional Chinese dishes, such as hand-pulled noodles, dim sum and pau , adds a unique flavour to the visitor experience, while a cooking programme is being planned to teach the community how to prepare halal Chinese cuisine. “This broadens the mosque’s role, making it more than just a place of worship, but also an educational and cultural hub that connects the local community with visitors from diverse backgrounds.” On Dec 5, 2024, Sharafuddin officiated at the opening of Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang, expressing hope that the mosque, along with other houses of worship in the area, would serve not only as a symbol of unity but also as a landmark and major tourist attraction in Selangor. – Bernama in from China Malaysia throughout his life. In the 1990s, he worked with a Malaysian media group to bring Westminster City Council Living Skills trainers to Malaysia for a learning skills project. He also played a role in linking the group with London’s West End, culminating in the staging of the musical Mamma Mia! in Malaysia in 2008. Although he retired from Westminster City Council in 2012, Tan remained deeply engaged with the Chinese community, continuing to advise families on education and housing matters across central and northwest London. Friends and family recall him as someone who never stopped caring, mentoring or keeping abreast of developments in Malaysia. Tan leaves behind his wife, two children and two grandchildren. His funeral and memorial service will be held on Friday in Hendon, London.

in London, a number that continued to grow with arrivals from Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and a new generation of British-born Chinese. Beyond Westminster, Tan was frequently consulted on Chinese community affairs at the national level as the UK’s Chinese population reached about 150,000. His portfolio spanned education, housing, welfare and immigration matters, as well as the upkeep and safety of London’s Chinatown. He worked closely with restaurant owners on licensing and local government issues, and played a key role in organising major events, such as Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown and the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade. He also hosted and facilitated

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community service. His work with the Chinese community formally began in 1985 at the Camden Chinese Community Centre, where he was tasked with overseeing the educational and welfare needs of Chinese students and their families across London. His dedication and deep understanding of Eastern and Western cultures soon led to a pivotal role. In 1990, Tan was appointed Westminster City Council Chinese community officer, a position that placed him at the heart of one of the largest Chinese populations in Europe. At the time, census data showed more than 60,000 Chinese residents

official Westminster City Council functions and was known for his ability to bridge communities with diplomacy and quiet authority. Tan maintained strong ties with

Mosque spurs Islamic tourism in Selangor KLANG: Despite being situated in an area where Muslims make up just 15% of the population, Masjid Jamek Cina Muslim Klang in Taman Desawan Dua is emerging as a catalyst for Islamic tourism in Selangor.

Adlu said the mosque’s main prayer hall could accommodate around 350 worshippers at a time, with the capacity expandable to 1,000, allowing it to host large-scale programmes, including those promoting Islamic tourism. – BERNAMAPIC

in August 2024. According to him, the mosque has welcomed more than 55,000 local and international visitors as of December last year, including institutional visitors from Australia, France, Germany and Japan. He also said the mosque’s main prayer hall could accommodate around 350 worshippers at a time, with the capacity expandable to 1,000, allowing it to host large-scale programmes, including those promoting Islamic tourism. He added that while most of the building materials were obtained locally, essential components, such as the roof and granite stones, were