Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee (sixth from left), addressing the viewers in the cinema before the start of the show. Also seen here are (from left to right): Wayne Ooi, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Communications and Creative Industries, E.Ramanamohan, Datuk Ir Lawrence Low, Vice President of MCA, Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee, Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon, member of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation, Tan Sri Chan, Datuk Chong Sin Woon, member of the Board of Governors of TAR UMT, Mark Lee, Ernest Chong, Ali Arami and Alyssa Lee.
3 December 2024 is another remarkable date for TAR UMT. It saw the highly successful gala premiere for The Story of TARCians (TSOT), which was well celebrated by TAR UMT’s staff, students, alumni, industry partners, and treasured friends. The premiere was held two days before the film’s nationwide screening on 5 December 2024. The day started with a special film screening for media in the afternoon, followed by the grand gala premiere in the evening at DADI Cinemas, Pavillion Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to reporters after the screening of the film, Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT and the Executive Producer of TSOT said, “TAR UMT is an institution with a unique and powerful history where the institution has not only contributed to nation-building but has has positively impacted many individuals, better known as TARCians to have a great shot in life. We are proud of our heritage and we wanted to share our story differently. This is why we produced TSOT.”
Being asked about his experience directing the film, Mark Lee, the director of TSOT shared, “It was quite daunting when we first began this project as I did not have much knowledge about TAR UMT. More so, many TARCians came forward to share their TARCian stories with us and we had to go through many hours of interview footage for the film. Looking back, I think I can now consider myself a TARCian, being deeply involved in bringing to life the meaningful story a TARCian can relate to.”
Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee (centre) answering questions by the media during the special media screening of TSOT. Seen here are also Ernest Chang (leftmost), E. Ramanamohan (second from left), Mark Lee (second from right) and Alyssa Lee (rightmost).
As the day went on, crowds of alumni, staff, students, industry and professional partners, friends and well-wishers of TAR UMT began arriving for the gala premiere. The lounge area of DADI Cinema was filled as many were catching up with old friends and contacts, and taking memorable photographs together. Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Chairman of TAR UMT’s Board of Governors and Alumni Council and Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee joined many well-wishers in taking photographs in front of the movie’s cut-out poster. To add to the festivities, there were ongoing performances by TAR UMT students and alumni which included the singing of the movie’s official song, ‘Laman Song’.
Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy (rightmost) greeting Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (in wheelchair), past Council Chairman of the then TAR College as his wife, Toh Puan Ong Ee Nah (standing beside Tan Sri Chan) looks on.
Tan Siok Eng (leftmost) and Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo (third from right), daughters of the late Tun Tan Siew Sin who is one of the founders of the then TAR College, together with Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee (second from left), Dr Chook Ka Joo (second from right), Vice President of TAR UMT and Mr Moses Ooi (rightmost), Chief Financial Officer of TAR UMT.
Mr Khaw Chay Tee (leftmost), son of the late Tan Sri Khaw Kai Boh, one of the founders of the then TAR College, his wife, Julia Chong, and Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee.
With the crowd in place, the red-carpet moment for the gala premiere grandly took place with TSOT’s main cast namely Ali Arami, Alyssa Lee, Ernest Chang, and E. Ramanamohan and the other supporting actors made their appearance for the meet and great session. Then the group of actors followed by the enthusiastic crowd made their way to the cinema halls for the first screening of TSOT in cinemas.
Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation also attended the gala premiere to catch the first viewing of the film after making his way around the cinema to greet the viewers and thanking everyone for their tremendous support towards TSOT.
Let the show begin!
TSOT opens with what took place on 24 March 1968, during the 18th Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), when its President, Tun Tan Siew Sin, announced the party's initiative to establish an institution of higher education to help students who were unable to further their studies due to not achieving the necessary results for the Malaysian Certificate of Education (MCE). This announcement brought hope to Mei Li (played by Alyssa Lee), Ah Yuen (played by Ernest Chang), Razali (played by Ali Arami), and Rama (played by E. Ramanamohan) who hail from different parts of the country. The film elegantly portrays the efforts of those involved in establishing Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), especially Tan Sri Khaw Kai Boh and Tun Tan Siew Sin, who persevered for two years amidst a turbulent political backdrop. The film also showcases how the first batch of students graduating from TARC experienced different aspects of life, adversities, emotions, and achievements thanks to the opportunities provided by the college's establishment. TSOT has made TAR UMT the first University to have produced a full-fledged film.
