Unconventional World Records

Background:

Pekemas (Parti Keadilan Masyarakat Malaysia, or Social Justice Party of Malaysia) was co-founded by Tan Sri David Tan Chee Khoon (1919-1996), the Opposition leader 1964-1978. He was co-founder of Gerakan, but later left to form Pekemas. Tan Chee Khoon and Onn Jaafar were 2 persons ahead of their time - they did not believe in race-based parties, rather multiracial (like Berjaya & PBS). Therefore when Gerakan cofounder Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu led it to join the race-based BN, Chee Khoon felt disillusioned. Tan Chee Khoon was a Christian, and peppered his Parliament questions with quotes from the Bible, leading The Tunku to remark how much he sounded like a preacher. Another co-founder is academic Syed Hussein Alatas, former VC of UM and also co-founder of Gerakan. I think Datuk Dr James Ongkili must’ve looked up to him since he’s also an academic at UM.

Pekemas had similar principles as Gerakan (liberal). It was formed in 1971 but collapsed in 1978 due to massive defections to DAP and Chee Khoon’s retirement in 1977 due to ill health. In the 1974 general election, Pekemas suffered a terrible defeat, with Tan being the only successful candidate out of 36 candidates for Parliament.

Chee Khoon held on to his Parliament and Selangor State Assembly seats until their terms expired in 1978.