Former federal minister from Sarawak Peter Chin first Chinese appointed UPM pro-chancellor

BINTULU (Oct 30): Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui made history as the first Sarawakian Chinese to be appointed pro-chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

He received the appointment letter from the Sultan of Selangor Sharafuddin Idris Shah last Aug 20, at Istana Bukit Kayangan in Shah Alam.

His appointment is for a three-year term, from Oct 18, 2024 until Oct 17, 2027.

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said the appointment of Chin, who is honorary president of SUPP, is in recognition of his significant contributions and dedicated service to the nation’s development.

“This historic appointment is truly a source of pride for Sarawak and for SUPP,” he said in a statement today.

The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts added that Chin has been a role model for many SUPP leaders, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty and dedication to the party.

He believed that Chin’s appointment will further inspire all party leaders and members to continue serving the people diligently and contributing to the development of Sarawak and Malaysia.

Founded in 1931, UPM has been renowned for its excellence in education and research. It is currently ranked 148th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, reflecting its outstanding global performance in higher education.

Chin is the second Chinese pro-chancellor of UPM, following Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek.

Born on Aug 31, 1945, Chin graduated with a law degree from Gray’s Inn, the United Kingdom in 1971.

He served as the MP for Miri from 1986 to 2013, contributing significantly to the city’s development and laying a solid foundation for its current prosperity.

He was the federal Minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities from 2004 to 2009, and the Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water from 2009 to 2013.

Prior to these roles, he served as the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government from 1995 to 2004, and the Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Environment from 1990 to 1995, accumulating extensive experience across different ministries.

He joined SUPP in 1979 and began serving the community at the grassroots level. He held key positions at Party Central such as the organising secretary, and in 2011, he succeeded Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam as the party president.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the nation, he was conferred the ‘Panglima Setia Mahkota Malaysia’ (P.S.M.) title by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2013, earning the honorific title of ‘Tan Sri’.

He was then appointed as the non-independent non-executive chairman of IOI Group in 2014, where he continues to contribute to the development of Malaysia’s agriculture and food security in the private sector.