As the first elected chairman of the Bukit Mertajam Town Council, and subsequently a State Executive Councillor in the Penang Merdeka cabinet, in the bustling town of Bukit Mertajam during the transformative 1950s, Dr M.P.L. Yegappan emerged as a beacon of integrity and dedication. As the first elected chairman of the Bukit Mertajam Town Council, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Wong Pow Nee, Penang's inaugural Chief Minister. Yet, despite his pivotal role, Dr Yegappan's story has remained largely untold - until now.

Heart of Service delves into the life of a town doctor whose commitment to his patients and his community transcended the allure of political power. Steven Sim Chee Keong's compelling narrative shines a light on Dr Yegappan's enduring legacy and celebrates a true Malayan leader who embodied the essence of public service.

Discover the untold story of a man whose unwavering dedication to service over self, and his ability to unite diverse political factions, made him a beloved figure in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, and beyond.

199 x 129 x 1.4 mm, 200 pp, 280 gm

Published Nov 2024

Steven Sim Chee Keong is a Bukit Mertajam boy; having grown up, attended schools, and lived most of his life with his family in this small historical town in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Like Dr M.P.L. Yegappan almost six decades before him, Steven served as a councillor in the local authority, Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP). In 2013, he was elected Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam. He is currently the Minister of Human Resources in Malaysia.