Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy: The late Dr. Seng Yan Chuan made a huge contribution to Malaysian Redology, benefiting future generations.

“Redology pioneer in Malaysia” and founder of the University of Malaya’s Dream of the Red Chamber Research Centre, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, stated: “The late Dr. Seng Yan Chuan made significant contributions to Redology in Malaysia, and her achievements will benefit future generations for a long time.”

Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy made this statement during his keynote speech at the “Half-day Tour of the Red Chamber” event organized by the Chinese Language and Culture Department of Southern University College on December 14. He said that Dr. Seng not only conducted in-depth research on Dream of the Red Chamber and published many influential papers, but she also carefully guided students into Redology studies. Dr. Chia Jee Luen, a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya, is one of her outstanding students.

Dr. Seng also led a team that, after overcoming many difficulties, took ten years to complete the full Malay translation of Dream of the Red Chamber. Additionally, she vividly expressed the essence of Dream of the Red Chamber in an emotional and engaging way through essays, blending education and entertainment, which made her writings a pleasure to read.

During the event, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy introduced Dr. Seng Yan Chuan ‘s posthumous work Moving Flowers and Planting Dreams: The Redology Essays of Seng Yan Chuan. He explained the origins and the process of creating the book to the audience of about 120 people.

“Moving Flowers and Planting Dreams: The Redology Essays of Seng Yan Chuan compiles 12 Redology research papers written by Dr. Seng throughout her life, as well as papers co-authored with her students. The essays are categorized into three main areas: ‘Dissemination and Reception,’ ‘Textual Studies,’ and ‘Translation Studies.'”

The book also includes appendices with intellectual essays on Redology published in Malaysian newspapers, as well as Dr. Seng’s award-winning essay On the Banks of the Miluo River: The Story of the Stone from China’s inaugural Miluo River Literary Award.

Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy emphasized that this book launch in Johor Bahru was especially meaningful as it was Dr. Seng’s hometown, where she first absorbed the nutrients of Chinese culture and creativity.

Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said: “I hope this book will shine brightly in the academic world!” and paid tribute to the late Dr. Seng Yan Chuan, affectionately known as “Grandmother Sun.”

The “Half-day Tour of the Red Chamber” also invited Redology scholars Hsu, Hsiu – Jung from Taiwan, Chow Teck Seng from Singapore, and Chia Jee Luen from Malaysia to share the latest developments in Redology research from their respective regions.

In addition to receiving enthusiastic support from the Board of Directors, the president, faculty, and students of Southern University College, the event attracted many “Red enthusiasts” from outside the university, creating a lively atmosphere.

After the event, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy personally donated copies of the new book to 11 schools and organizations, including Southern University College, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Sultan Idris Education University Han Chiang University College of Communication, Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru, Foon Yew High School Kulai, Foon Yew High School Seri Alam, Paragon Private and International School, the Malaysian Sinology Society, the Johor Poetry Society, and SMJK Katholik (PJ). These donations were sponsored by him personally.