Tan Siew Sin

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Tun Tan Siew Sin (Chinese : 陈修信)
In office November, 1961 – 8 April 1974
Preceded by	Dr. Cheah Toon Lok (Acting)
Succeeded by	Tan Sri Lee San Choon
Majority	Chinese

Born	21 May 1916 Jalan Heeren, Malacca
Died	17 March 1988 Kuala Lumpur
Political party	Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)
Relations	Son of Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock
Spouse	Catherine Lim Cheng Neo
Children	3 daughters
Residence	Kuala Lumpur
Occupation	MCA Chairman Minister of Finance

Tun Tan Siew Sin (Simplified Chinese: 陈修信; pinyin: Chén Xīuxìn; 21 May 1916–17 March 1988) was Malaya's (later Malaysia's) first Minister of Commerce and Industry, Finance Minister for 15 years, and president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA, later Malaysian Chinese Association).

Tan Siew Sin took over as president of the MCA in November 1961, and became Minister of Finance not long afterwards. He held on to both positions until retiring for health reasons on 8 April 1974. After resignation he became an advisor to the government on economic questions.

Tan Siew Sin died on 17 March 1988 in Kuala Lumpur.

His widow, Catherine Lim Cheng Neo, whom he married on February 8, 1947 was an active campaigner for family planning. They had three daughters.

In Kuala Lumpur, there is a street, Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin (formerly Jalan Silang) which was renamed after him in 2003.

[edit] Early Life

The only son of Malaysian statesman and MCA founder Tan Cheng Lock, Tan Siew Sin was born in Malacca and educated at Raffles College in Singapore. Before then, he went to a Girls School which his father decided to, that is Suydaim Girls School which is now the Methodist High School.

In 1935, he felt ill and was diagnosed as having tuberculosis. He fully recovered after an operation in Switzerland for treatment. Three years later, he moved on to his higher education in the field of law in England and graduated with First Class Honour at the Middle Temple, one of the four inns of court in London.