This is a story about a doctor cum politician, who chose to stay

WHY do people leave their homes for a new land? Is it for opportunity, survival, or just being caught in the flow of history? *Heart of Service: The Untold Story of Dr. M.P.L Yegappan* by Steven Sim explores these questions through the life of a man who started fresh in Malaya and found himself part of the country's evolving identity.

Born in Tamil Nadu in 1916 into a well-off trading family, Dr Yegappan’s life took a turn when his father—who had built business ties in Malaya—passed away. At just 12 years old, he migrated to Kulim, joining the many families reshaping their futures in a new land. His early education was informal—learning science under a neem tree—before he pursued medicine and later, politics. Who would have known that Dr Yegappan, who started his science studies under a tree, would later play a key role in establishing a science university in Penang?

While his family had business interests in Penang and Kedah, he carved his own path. He eventually settled in Bukit Mertajam, a town known for its farming roots and Hakka settlers dating back to the 17th century, where he ran a medical practice that later led him into public life.

Politics in a Different Era

The 1957 Bukit Mertajam Town Council election, detailed in the book, was a turning point. Yegappan built relationships across political divides, including a close friendship with Che Yan Hamid Hussain, the wife of Bukit Mertajam’s first MP, Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.

Che Yan wasn’t just a political spouse—she led the Kaum Ibu UMNO in Seberang Perai Selatan and became the council’s deputy chairman. Their collaboration shows how politics back then was less about party lines and more about getting things done. In fact Che Yan’s fourth son Anwar (Later in his life, Anwar became Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister in 2022), still remember Dr Yegappan as a polite and a gentle person till this day.

The book also covers the 1959 Penang state election, where Yegappan won the Butterworth seat. Interestingly, despite being ethnically Indian, he was perceived by the Indian community as an UMNO candidate—a Malay party—something that might seem surprising in today's political landscape. Maybe back then, political identities were fluid, and people aligned more on practical goals than rigid party loyalty.

Rethinking Nation-Building

Dr Yegappan’s story is about the everyday realities of shaping a country. Malaysia wasn’t built only by those who were born here but also by those who chose to stay and contribute. His life is a reminder that nation-building isn’t just about grand gestures but also about small, consistent efforts that make a difference over time. Something you and I can do as well.

Steven’s book isn’t just a biography — it’s a reflection on migration, identity, and politics. It challenges the idea that patriotism is something you inherit; instead, it’s something you create through action and commitment. Reading Heart of Service reminds us that history isn’t just shaped by big names in textbooks. It’s also shaped by ordinary people who, in their own way, decided to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Before I end this article, I would like to make this statement, which as a journalist, I rarely do, and it goes as this: “I would have never my imagine a very high-ranking DAP leader (I’m talking about Steven Sim, the book author, who is also the Penang DAP Chairman and DAP National Organising Secretary) spending time researching, documenting, writing and cherishing a leader who had close ties with UMNO (in fact was seen as an UMNO candidate). If you had told me three years ago that this would happen, I’d have laughed. But here we are. Turns out, politics might has always been fluid, and the Bukit Mertajam people has shown it over and over again.

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* Shafizan Johari is a Lead Editor at Astro Awani.

** This article is the author's personal views and does not necessarily represent the views of the Astro Awani editorial board

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