Bahá'í Recollections

 

THERESA CHEE 

25 April 1925 to 1 June 2025

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice was saddened to learn of the passing of Theresa Chee, dedicated handmaiden of the Blessed Beauty. May the memory of her long life of devoted service to the Cause of God, including as an Auxiliary Board member, be an enduring source of inspiration to all who knew her. Kindly convey to the members of her family and other loved ones the heartfelt condolences of the House of Justice for the loss they have suffered and assure them of its supplications at the Sacred Threshold for the progress of her illumined soul in the heavenly kingdom and that, through the unfailing mercy of the Almighty, they may find comfort and strength at this time of parting.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
The Universal House of Justice
2 June 2025

Madam Theresa Chee was lovingly referred to as the “Spiritual Mother” of the Northern Believers in Peninsular Malaysia—a title bestowed upon her by the Hand of the Cause of God, Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir. This title is more than fitting, as it reflects the pivotal role she played in attracting and nurturing individuals of great capacity in the northern region, guiding them to spiritual maturity. She holds the unique distinction of being the first believer in Malaysia to be appointed in person by a Hand of the Cause as an Auxiliary Board member. This is the story of the dramatic circumstances that led her to embrace the Bahá’í Faith, and of how she emerged as one of the most outstanding heroines in the history of the Faith in Malaysia.

MOVED TO ALOR STAR

Theresa Chee, the eldest daughter of Yankee Leong—the first Bahá’í believer in Peninsular Malaya—was born on 25 April 1925 in Malacca and received her education at the Convent in Malacca. A devout Catholic, Theresa was so deeply involved in her faith that the teachers who took a great liking for her had expected her to become a nun. After her schooling Theresa started her job as a typist in Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai/NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Following the passing of her brother Peter Yan Swee Kee in 1946, she moved to Seremban in 1947 to live with her father, who had been left lonely by the loss. Theresa worked under the British administration in various offices, including the Special Branch (Police), Secretariat, Treasury, and Department of Chinese Affairs.

She had met Chee Ah Kin of Penang at a social dance in 1947, and they were married on 30 December 1952. Chee Ah Kin, a Penang native, had been awarded a Kedah State Scholarship to undergo technical training in Kuala Lumpur. In return for the scholarship, he was required to serve in Kedah, where he began his career in the Public Works Department (PWD) with Roads and Buildings. He lived in a room within the aerodrome building, located at the 7th Mile on Aerodrome Road, near Alor Star.

Theresa and Chee Ah Kin, 1952. (Photo credit: Tan Boon Tin)

After their honeymoon in Penang, Theresa joined her husband at this humble location in 1953. There was no electricity in their dwelling, and lighting was provided by a simple gas lamp. Thus began Theresa’s married life—with simplicity and resilience that would characterize much of her remarkable journey ahead. Theresa took up employment with the Police Special Branch, reviewing and sorting through photographs of suspected communist elements during a tense period of political unrest in Malaya. By March 1954, she began teaching at St. Michael’s National Primary School, a Christian missionary school in Alor Star. In addition to her personal commitment, she also guided children aged eight and nine from Catholic  families, helping to strengthen their foundation in the Christian faith through Catechism and First Communion classes. Both Chee Ah Kin and Theresa were deeply involved in Catholic Church activities. Ah Kin supervised the building of a new church while Theresa would accompany the parish priest to rural villages to distribute rice, milk, and goods collected from shopkeepers. Her life at this stage was one of spiritual dedication, community service, and discipline—hallmarks that would later find deeper expression as her spiritual path unfolded.

DISCOVERED THE FAITH

It was through their father, Yankee Leong, that Theresa and her younger sisters were first introduced to the Bahá’í Faith. When Yankee Leong accepted the Faith in 1953, he hoped that all his daughters would one day embrace it as well. In 1954, when all five daughters—Theresa, Rose, Lily, Christie, and Pauline—were gathered at their family home at 333 Jalan Rahang in Seremban, Yankee Leong invited them into his room to share the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. There, he read aloud the Twelve Principles and explained that Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, is regarded as the spiritual return of Jesus Christ. The daughters, all baptized Catholics, were deeply unsettled by what they heard and felt their father had been misled. Christie and Pauline made excuses and quietly left the room, while Theresa, Rose, and Lily remained. Yankee Leong invited questions from the three. Theresa spoke up, saying, “Pa, we are Catholics, and once a Catholic, always a Catholic. I don’t think we should change our religion.” He responded gently, “If your brother Peter were alive, he would understand the logic in five minutes. Pray hard to Jesus and ask Him to help you find the truth. I’m not asking you to give up your religion right away. Just read these pamphlets, investigate for yourselves, and then make your own decision.” Next, Yankee Leong began sharing its teachings with his friends and members of his Yan clan. Although none of his relatives accepted the Faith, several of his close friends did. Their acceptance laid the foundation for the formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Seremban in 1954, the very first Local Spiritual Assembly established in Malaya as well. The daughters quietly observed their father’s growing dedication to the Bahá’í Faith, but each chose to remain committed to their Catholic beliefs. Yankee Leong, however, believed that if Theresa, the eldest, were to embrace the Faith, the others would likely follow her example. He began writing letters to Theresa, teaching her the Bahá’í Faith through heartfelt correspondence. Despite his persistent efforts, Theresa remained firm in her stance and was unwilling to accept the Bahá’í Faith. Undeterred, he started sending her Bahá’í books, including titles not readily available in Malaya at the time. He ordered them from India—books such as Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Some Answered Questions, Release the Sun, All Things Made New, and The Heart of the Gospel, and asking Theresa to cover the cost herself. It was during her reading on the subject of the Return of Christ in these books that Theresa found herself deeply shaken. In late 1957, Miss Jeanne Frankel and her mother, Mrs. Margaret Kelly Bates—both American pioneers who had earned the title “Knights of Bahá’u’lláh” for their historic service in the Nicobar Islands, were in Penang, awaiting visas to travel to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. At the request of Yankee Leong, Jeanne and Mrs. Shantha Sundram made a special trip to Alor Star in early 1958 to visit Theresa at her home. They brought with them additional Bahá’í books, hoping to awaken her interest in the Faith. However, Theresa still remained unconvinced and was not easily swayed.

WITHER WOULD THERESA GO?

Whither could Theresa go, when Bahá’u’lláh had already sealed her fate. Her Creator had decided to bring her under His sheltering care and use her for His glorious Cause in this country. Despite the steady stream of Bahá’í literature, the heartfelt letters from her father, and even the personal visits from believers, Theresa stood firm in her Catholic faith. Yet, beneath that surface of resistance, something had begun to stir—a quiet questioning, a subtle unease. The words she read, the sincerity she witnessed, and the unwavering devotion of those who reached out to her could not be entirely dismissed. She found herself at a spiritual crossroads, torn between the familiar comfort of her upbringing and the persistent call to investigate further. Her father’s words echoed in her mind: “Pray hard to Jesus and ask Him to help you to reach the truth.” Would she continue on the well-trodden path of tradition, or would she find the courage to step into the unknown, guided only by the flicker of truth she could no longer ignore?

In August 1960, a Bahá’í Summer School was scheduled to be held in Port Dickson. In the weeks leading up to the August school holidays, Yankee Leong invited all his daughters to attend the gathering. He also wrote a personal letter to Theresa living in Alor Star and encouraged her to participate. When Theresa, whose soul was already somewhat kindled informed her husband that she planned to meet her sisters in Seremban before attending the Summer School in Port Dickson, he responded with a firm but permissive warning, “You may go, but do not become a Bahá’í.”  Theresa traveled to Seremban, where her sisters Lily Ng, Christie and Pauline were living. Rose Ong from Singapore had also arrived. The sisters would often gather at their family home at 333 Jalan Rahang, in accordance with the wishes of their mother, Madam Chi Lye Eng. Theresa told her sisters  she was attending the Summer School at her father’s insistence, simply to discover what the Bahá’ís would be discussing. Her sisters immediately warned her, “Be careful! Don’t fall into their trap.” She invited an 18-year-old trainee teacher from Seremban by name of Isaac D’Cruz to join her and volunteered to pay all the expenses, and he gladly followed her.

EMBRACED THE CAUSE

The very atmosphere of the Summer School began to soften her heart. She saw believers from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds coming together as members of one family, with no trace of prejudice. Instead, there was a profound and overwhelming spirit of unity. There were no priests demanding obedience or wielding authority; decisions were made through collective consultation and consensus. These were experiences she had never encountered in the very religious community she had come from. It was a sight to behold—an environment to truly appreciate and admire.

Mrs. Lily Chinniah from Jasin and Mrs. Betty Fernandez from Malacca, along with Mrs. Shanta Sundram of Penang and a few other Bahá’í women, took Theresa for a walk along the nearby beach. As they strolled, they gently introduced her to the Bahá’í Faith, focusing especially on the topic of the return of Christ—a subject that had already brought restlessness  in her heart.  Later, in the women’s dormitory, a lively and intense discussion took place between Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, a pioneer from India to Singapore, and Theresa Chee. The subject was again the return of Christ. Their animated exchange quickly drew the attention of the other women, who gathered around, finding it to be an engaging and enlightening deepening session. Mrs. Fozdar, with her depth of knowledge, was able to present the Bahá’í proofs on the return of Christ with great clarity.

Theresa had originally attended the Summer School simply to see what it was all about. However, the sincere love she received, the radiant Bahá’í spirit that permeated the gathering, and the compelling evidence presented on the return of Christ moved her deeply. She became fully convinced of the truth of the Faith and embraced it on 13 August 1960, in the presence of the Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir and several of the early pillars who had laid the foundations of the Bahá’í community in the country.

On that final day of the Summer School, Theresa shared her decision with her father. Overcome with joy, tears welled up in his eyes as he immediately informed Dr. Muhájir. Word of her acceptance spread quickly, and the friends gathered around her, deeply touched by the emotion shared between father and daughter. Following a few heartfelt prayers, Theresa signed her Bahá’í Declaration Card, alongside five others from the Masjid Tanah area in the state of Malacca. Applause broke out from the crowd. Dr. Muhájir and Yankee Leong were overjoyed that Bahá’u’lláh had finally guided Theresa to recognize the Light. Her acceptance of the Faith was not only significant for her own spiritual journey, but also for the many spiritual children and grandchildren she would go on to inspire and nurture in later years. With her declaration, Theresa became the first Bahá’í believer in Alor Star.

At the Summer School, representatives were selected to open new, untouched areas to the Bahá’í Faith. As soon as Theresa’s declaration was announced, Mr. Eustace Anthony Fernandez—known as Tony Fernandez—a participant from Malacca town, joyfully took a pin and placed it on the map over the town of Alor Star. With a smile, he declared, “Now we have a Northern Star, and you must go and teach.” Although there had been four earlier believers in Sungai Petani town in the state of Kedah by May 1960, they were not actively involved. It was Theresa, through her wholehearted acceptance of the Faith in August, who truly became the Northern Star of Kedah. Eager but unsure how to begin, Theresa asked how she could teach the Faith. Dr. Muhájir assured her that Bahá’ís would come to her aid, and Yankee Leong promised to travel to Alor Star to assist with the teaching efforts. He also gave her a heartfelt charge: “You must now convince your sisters so that they too can see the Light.”

The remarkable transformation in Theresa upon accepting the Faith was marked by a complete shedding of her former religious and racial attachments, as she became a true lover of the entire human race. Upon returning to her home in Seremban on her way to Alor Star, Theresa boldly informed her younger sisters that she had become a Bahá’í during the Summer School. The news shocked them. Stunned and distressed, they broke into tears and accused her of betrayal. Rose, visibly upset, demanded that Theresa redeem herself and return to the Catholic Church. Theresa, however, remained calm and firm in her conviction. She offered them one plea: “Please don’t be frogs in a well. As our father advised, read and listen—find out what the Bahá’í Faith is truly about.” Despite her appeal, the grumbling continued until their loving mother, Madam Chi Lye Eng, intervened. Turning to her non-Bahá’í daughters, she said, “Since your elder sister Theresa is now a Bahá’í, I think it is best that you, too, accept the Faith. I don’t want to hear any more complaints about this religion. You sisters must stay united and support each other.”

When Theresa left for Alor Star and Rose for Singapore, the remaining sisters—Lily, Christie, and Pauline went to the church in Seremban to seek advice  if they should follow Theresa into the Bahá’í Faith or remain Catholics.  A Convent border friend by name of Isabel Fernandez  sternly replied: “Be careful—you may fall into a trap. It is a satanic cult.” Ironically, it did not take long before they willingly “fell into the spiritual trap” of the Blessed Beauty. By 1961, all of Theresa’s younger sisters—Lily Yan Geok Choo, Rose Yan Geok Lian, Christie Yan Geok Kim, and Pauline Yan Mei Lin—had embraced the Faith.

The Yan sisters in later years- L-R: Lily Ng, Pauline D’Cruz, Rose Ong and Theresa Chee (missing in the photo is Christie).

OPPOSITION STRENGTHENED HER

As soon as Theresa returned to Alor Star, the third term of the St. Michael’s School, opened in November 1960. Upon the school’s reopening, she informed the priest of her new belief. He was visibly shocked by her declaration. Theresa’s efforts to teach the Faith or share Bahá’í literature were quickly dismissed. The Church circulated instructions that no one should listen to or accept any books or materials from her. Her attempts to spread the message of Bahá’u’lláh were met not with curiosity or respect, but with direct resistance and rejection.

At the Second Pan-Malayan Teaching Conference held in Kuala Lumpur on 11 December 1960, Theresa delivered a heartfelt account of her battles with the Church, stirring awe and wonder among her listeners. They could hardly believe that, within just a month of embracing the Faith, she had become as immovable as a rock. She reported: As soon as the school reopened for the third term, I informed the Catholic priest that I have become a Bahá’í. He was so surprised that it left him speechless. In the evening, he paid me a visit in the house and tried to impress upon me that I had lost my faith in the Catholic Church because I didn’t go to the Sacraments regularly. He found that he could not influence me at all. Before he left, I offered to lend him my books to read. He chose “Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.” Three weeks later he warned all the Catholics of Alor Star to beware of “Certain elements” who are trying to teach a new religion called the Bahá’í Faith. In doing this all the Catholics of Alor Star are made aware of the Faith…. Meanwhile at every opportunity the Message of Bahá’u’lláh was brought to the notice of those who had never heard of it before. Reaction varied. Some were antagonistic, some were indifferent but a number of them were willing to read the Bahá’í books offered to them… The Catholics tried to re-establish their claim over me…the assistant nun tried her very best to persuade me to go to Mass every Sunday. I made it clear to her that my loyalty is now in Bahá’u’lláh, since He is the return of Christ... On 16 November 1960 the Catholic priest wrote me a letter requesting me to draw up a public statement of the origin and doctrine of the Bahá’í Faith in front of all Catholic teachers of Saint Michael’s School… I got worried and contacted Shirin Fozdar in Singapore over phone and asked her to come to Alor Star. However, Shirin told me to get in touch with the nearest Local Spiritual Assembly–namely the Penang Assembly and to follow whatever the Penang Assembly decided. She added that should the Penang Assembly decide to invite her, she would come. When I consulted with the Assembly of Penang, the Assembly advised me not to take a combatant approach with the priest or the teachers. The assembly gave me a publication by the Bahá’í  Office in the United Nations that mentioned about the origin and history of the Bahá’í Faith to be passed to the priest. I passed it on to the priest. Together with that an excellent booklet on the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi was given to the priest. Most of the teachers-Catholics and non-Catholics read the correspondence and pamphlet… This uproar brought about one very important result. My husband resigned from the St. Vincent de Paul Society and as a member of the Community Centre. I was proud to see my husband standing by me, although he had not accepted the Faith.”

Such was the mighty strength and unshakable firmness that Theresa displayed. Even at the St. Michael’s School where she was teaching, she found the atmosphere far from welcoming. The headmaster who was an old friend of hers was more sympathetic and suggested a transfer as a solution and most incredibly, he asked her to continue Catechism and Communion classes until the end of the year. She then secured a transfer in 1961 to the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seberang Perak, a Malay-medium school. With this newfound freedom, Theresa began serving the Bahá’í Faith in Alor Star with alacrity and vigor, with the Catholic community observing her new missionary zeal with some unease.

Theresa’s top priority was to establish the Faith firmly in the area. Since Yankee Leong embraced the Faith in 1953, he had not visited Theresa in Alor Star, being preoccupied with teaching the Faith elsewhere. However, his first visit to Alor Star occurred only after she accepted the Faith. He came from Seremban, joined by Mr. Surinder Singh and Leong Tat Chee from Malacca, along with Bahá’ís from Penang, to offer her support and encouragement. Firesides began to be held in Theresa’s home. Mrs. Shirin Fozdar also played a vital role in those early days by speaking at these gatherings. Additional support came from Bahá’ís in Penang—Dr. Chellie Sundram, Dr. P. K. Rao, Shantha Sundram, Lily Jansz, and Chong Kia Toon who all helped conduct firesides at her house.

ALOR STAR LIGHTED UP

A meeting place was needed for the nascent Bahá’í community in Alor Star. Theresa’s home at 1255A, Jalan Pegawai served as the first Bahá’í Centre until her transfer to Ipoh at the end of December 1963. Theresa was always keen to encourage the believers to gather and read the Bahá’í Writings together. Reflecting on those early days, Theresa recalls, “The spirit was very high, although we were small in numbers. We were very united. We used to go to each other’s houses for dinner and fellowship.” Though the community was small, everyone had a role to play. Feasts were held with the reading of prayers and messages from the National Teaching Committee of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore, as well as communications from the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Southeast Asia.

Theresa remained steadfast in her commitment to teaching the Bahá’í Faith. Among the first individuals she brought into the Faith in 1961 were Mr. Rathakrishnan of the St. John’s Ambulance Association and Mr. Appu Raman, a Welfare Officer and active trainer within the same organization. In 1961, Mr. Kannaiyah Adaikkalam accepted the Faith through the efforts of Appu Raman. His understanding of the Faith was further deepened under the guidance of Theresa, who was also his English teacher. Kannaiyah regarded Theresa as his own sister and frequently stayed at her home. That same year, Theresa taught the Faith to Mr. Luke Lee Sim Poi, a visually impaired individual. Later, in early March 1963, she welcomed Yin Hong Shuen and R. Ganasa Murthi into the Faith.

FIRST ASSEMBLY ELECTED

Mr. Chee Ah Kin, Theresa’s husband, had taken a liking to the Bahá’í Faith ever since she embraced it, though he had not officially declared himself a believer. As Ridván 1961 approached, there were only eight adult believers in Alor Star—just one short of the number required to form a Local Spiritual Assembly. And then, as eight souls had already embraced the Faith, Chee Ah Kin rose and declared his belief—becoming the ninth adult believer in Alor Star. Thus, in 1961, the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Alor Star was elected, becoming one of the fifteen Assemblies formed that year in Malaya and Singapore. Chee Ah Kin also contributed materially and practically to the growth of the community. He had purchased a Ford Popular car (registration number K 5182) for M$ 3,900 with the help of a government loan, and he took great joy in using it to transport new believers to Feasts and to bring seekers to firesides. Mrs. Shirin Fozdar was deeply moved by the formation of this Assembly and made a special visit to this nascent community in 1961, offering heartfelt words of encouragement and support.

ANAK BUKIT

Through the efforts of Theresa Chee, and her husband, Mr. Kung Kim Teow, the chief clerk at a rice mill and Chairman of the Anak Bukit Local Council embraced the Bahá’í Faith in 1961 during a fireside held in Alor Star. He became the first Bahá’í in Anak Bukit. Soon after, his wife and their son, Kung Hong Hai, also accepted the Faith.

Visit to the home of Mr. Kung in Anak Bukit, 1961. Second from left is Appu Raman, with Leong Tat Chee to his left. Theresa is in front of Leong Tat Chee. At the extreme right is Chee Ah Kin. Yankee Leong stands third from right. Front row L-R: Susie, Doreen, Molly, Dennis, Benedict and Poh Choo.

At that time, Bahá’í literature was scarce in Alor Star. The believers were moved to serve by the spirit more than the knowledge. There were also visits by Bahá’ís from abroad. Dr. Heshmat Ta’eed of Persia had pioneered to Laos in 1955, and Miss Banu Hassan from the United States had served as a pioneer there from 1957 to 1962. Upon her departure from Laos in 1962, she handed her collection of rare Bahá’í books to Dr. Ta’eed, who in turn passed them on to Theresa  in his visit to Alor Star in that same year. These books were highly useful for Theresa’s further understanding of the Cause. Further encouragement came through visits from other devoted believers. Among them were Mr. Abolfazi Beyzayee, a travelling teacher from Persia; Mr. S. Vasudevan of Malacca; and Mr. Alan Tan and Mr. Isaac D’Cruz of Seremban visited her in December 1962. Mr. Errol Seow and Mr. Leong Ho San from Kuala Lumpur also came to lend their support.

Visitors to the home of Theresa at 1255A, Jalan Pegawai in 1962 December. L-R: S. Vasudevan from Malacca, Abolfazi Beyzayee from Persia, Theresa, Mr. Kung, and Alan Tan from Seremban. Squatting is Isaac D’Cruz, with Master Benedict Chee standing to his right.

NEXT SCHOOL

In 1963, while Theresa Chee was teaching at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seberang Perak, the government launched a major exercise to convert all primary schools into National-Type schools. As a result of this restructuring, Theresa was transferred to Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Keat Hwa. That same year, Mr. S. Nagaratnam, who had been teaching at Sultan Abdul Hamid College, arranged a mutual transfer with a Malay teacher from Keat Hwa Secondary School. This brought Nagaratnam to Keat Hwa, where Theresa was already serving. Meanwhile, in 1963, Theresa’s husband, Chee Ah Kin—then working as a technician in the Public Works Department for Roads and Buildings in Alor Star—received a promotion. He was given the choice of transferring to either Ipoh or Penang. Since Penang already had an established Bahá’í community, and Ah Kin’s hometown, Theresa encouraged him to choose Ipoh, where the need for the Faith was greater. Ah Kin came to Ipoh and worked as a technician in charge of waterworks and stayed at the YMCA. He became an asset to the Ipoh community. However, Theresa was determined not to move just yet. She postponed her own transfer, as she saw great potential in Nagaratnam to serve the Cause. She patiently waited until he accepted the Faith, and he finally did so on 23 June 1963.

TRANSFERRED TO IPOH

With her mission accomplished in bringing Nagaratnam into the Faith, Theresa began preparing to leave for Ipoh. In December 1963, a farewell gathering was held in her honor in Alor Star. Following that, Theresa officially transferred from Alor Star to Ipoh, leaving with a deep sense of relief and satisfaction, knowing that the community she had nurtured was now in capable hands, guided by the devoted souls she had brought into the Faith. In later years some of those who had embraced the Faith through her served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, Auxiliary Board, Continental Board of Counselors, pioneers and in several other capacities.

A December 1963 photo of farewell for Mrs. Theresa Chee leaving for Ipoh, seated sixth from left, with Mrs. Rajambaal Nagaratnam to her right. Nagaratnam is seated third from right. Phung Woon Khing is standing at the extreme right. Standing second from left at back row is Choo Yeok Boon with Mei Siew Hong standing at the extreme right in the same row.  Seated on the floor from right are Yin Hong Shuen, R. Ganasa Murthi and master V. Manoharan. Seated on the floor at the extreme left is V. Nadarajan. Nadarajan and Manoharan are nephews of Nagaratnam who had accepted the Faith. 

In Ipoh, she began teaching at  Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Yuk Choy or Yuk Choy High School. By 1963, a Local Spiritual Assembly had already been established in Ipoh, and the coming of Theresa added further strength to this new Local Spiritual Assembly. The Bahá’ís of Ipoh initially met at the home of Mr. Jayabal. Later, they moved their gatherings to the business premises of Mrs. Rani Rathakrishnan, who operated a hairdressing salon named Pushpa Raya Beauty Saloon at 82 Jalan Yang Kalsom. This location became the first official meeting place for the Bahá’í community in Ipoh. Over time, many of the early believers relocated to other areas, and the core of the community came to rest with Theresa Chee, her husband Chee Ah Kin, and Mr. Krishnan Kunchamboo (K. Krishnan). Despite the family’s tireless efforts in teaching the Faith, Ipoh and its surrounding areas still faced a shortage of active manpower. There remained a constant need to cover multiple localities for both teaching and consolidation work.

Leong Tat Chee made frequent visits to assist in these efforts. A significant portion of Theresa’s own energy was devoted to guiding new believers and ensuring they understood the principles of the Faith correctly, especially when misconceptions arose. One notable instance occurred in an estate near Kampar town, where local believers had been pressured into making monthly financial contributions to hold the Nineteen Day Feasts in an overly elaborate manner. Disturbed by this misunderstanding of Bahá’í principles, Theresa visited the community and took it upon herself to educate them on the true nature of Bahá’í contributions—emphasizing that they must always be voluntary and offered in a spirit of love and sacrifice. Such was the kind of role Theresa played throughout her stay in Ipoh.

OWN BAHÁ’Í  CENTRE

In 1965, the house of Theresa Chee at 6 Jalan Bunga Melor became the Bahá’í Centre. After staying for five years and four months at this address, the family Theresa moved to number 17 Jalan Bunga Melor in 1968. At that time low-cost single storey link houses were under construction. Under the Five-Year Plan, five communities including Ipoh were encouraged to buy their own Bahá’í Centres. Therefore, the Bahá’ís of Ipoh were desperately looking for a property. It was so timely that Ipoh Garden Berhad, the property developer offered a house for sale, with condition a total of M$1,000 to be paid immediately as down payment for a house costing M$27,900. Theresa played a key role in getting the needed money. Just 24 hours before the deadline, Theresa Chee rang up Mr. Lim Kok Hoon in Taiping, who immediately came with RM1,000 in small notes and shillings. The very next morning, Theresa took the notes and shillings and deposited with the developer. They then booked the link house, which cost extra by RM1,000 all because it was situated facing a beautiful field. This property at 12 Jalan Rajawali was purchased in 1976 and became the new official Bahá’í Centre, and the house at 17 Jalan Bunga Melor ceased to be a Bahá’í Centre.

EXTENDING ASSISTANCE

Theresa’s priority was spreading the Faith in and around Ipoh, often accompanied by K. Krishnan. She possessed an unmatched zeal for teaching the Cause of God. Together, they covered numerous areas, including Kampar, Taiping, Sungei Siput, Batu Gajah, Tanjung Rambutan, and Gopeng. With Mr. C. Subramaniam, headmaster of a Tamil school accepting the Faith in Sungei Siput, Theresa and K. Krishnan kept working on forming a Local Spiritual Assembly there. The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Sungei Siput was formed during Ridván 1965, held at the Sungei Siput Kampong Sentosa Community Hall. This milestone was achieved with the support of Theresa Chee, Chee Ah Kin, and K. Krishnan from the Ipoh Assembly. In Batu Gajah town, a Local Spiritual Assembly was established as early as 1962 but unfortunately lapsed due to unavoidable circumstances. However, in the third quarter of 1967, a fireside was organized at the Royal English School in Batu Gajah, which resulted in four new believers. The speakers at this event were Theresa Chee and Mrs. Betty Fernandez from Bagan Serai. She had also travelled to several parts in the state of Perak in later years to offer assistance to other communities.

A teaching trip in FIAT 600-D car of Theresa, 1974. At the left are Selvaraja, Kumar Rajagopal. At the right is Theresa with Doreen next to her, opening the door for another member of the teaching team.

SERVING IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES

As soon as Theresa accepted the Faith in 1960, she was called upon to serve in various capacities at both the national and regional levels. At that time, much needed to be accomplished for the Faith, with only a small number of committed and dedicated believers available in the country. The spirit of loving unity among this small group was overwhelming and served as a powerful motivation for their service. Their efforts were further inspired by encouragement from some Hands of the Cause of God and visits from overseas traveling teachers. The momentum of the Ten-Year Crusade, coupled with the impending establishment of the Universal House of Justice in 1963, propelled them to rise and serve the Cause on a new and higher pedestal. Theresa was among those who keenly felt the urgency and importance of the moment. Most of the early national Bahá’í activities in Malaya were held in Kuala Lumpur and Port Dickson, requiring Theresa to travel from Alor Star and later from Ipoh, often at considerable personal sacrifice. Listed here are some of the early and salient activities of Theresa.

At the Bahá’í Summer School held in Port Dickson in 1960, Dr. Muhájir proposed the appointment of state representatives to open virgin areas of the country to the Faith. On the very day she accepted the Bahá’í Faith, Theresa was appointed as the representative for the town of Alor Star. It was the first responsibility ever entrusted to her in the Bahá’í community.

Theresa served on the organizing committee of the Summer School held in Port Dickson from 3 to 6 August 1961 and also attended the event. A few weeks later, from 1 to 3 September 1961, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum visited the believers of Malaya for the first time  in Port Dickson. Theresa was present once again, this time accompanied by her younger sisters—Lily Ng, Christie, and Pauline—who had already embraced the Bahá’í Faith by then.

Summer School at Port Dickson, 1961. L to R. Lily Ng, Theresa Chee, Koh Ai Leen, Zeena from India, and Chiang Kim Lin.

Amatu’l-Bahá in Port Dickson, 1961. Theresa is seated at the extreme left, next to Shirin Fozdar.  To the left of Shirin is Jessie Revel. Amatu’l-Bahá is seated on the canvas, with Lily Chinniah on her left and Lily Jansz and Betty Fernandez on her right.

The Bahá’í youths of Seremban organized the first Pan-Malayan Youth Conference at the Negeri Sembilan Indian Association Hall from 16 to 18 December 1961. Theresa, who by then was already well-grounded in the Faith, delivered a talk on the history of the Bahá’í Faith. In 1962, the National Teaching Committee of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore appointed her as the representative for the entire state of Kedah, where she began addressing the needs of the Faith. At the Summer School held at the Malacca Youth Hostel in Pantai Kundor from 2 to 5 August 1963, Theresa presented a progress report on the status of the Faith in Kedah. That same year, the National Teaching Committee appointed her to serve on the Women’s Affairs Sub-Committee, at a time when many Bahá’í women in Malaya had yet to step forward to serve alongside their male counterparts. As history would have it, Theresa emerged as one of the foremost heroines of the Bahá’í Faith in Malaysia.

In 1964, Theresa served as a delegate to the first National Convention of Malaysia, where she delivered a talk on teaching the Faith to the Chinese community. She also acted as one of the tellers for the election of Malaysia’s first National Spiritual Assembly. At the same convention, a special panel was formed to answer questions from the floor. The panel comprised Theresa, Anthony Louis, Raymond Peter, and Tushar Kanti-Paul of Malacca—individuals regarded as among the most knowledgeable in the Faith at the time. In 1965, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia launched The Malaysian Bahá’í News as its official publication. To support this effort, Regional Correspondents were appointed to provide timely reports to the chief editor. Theresa was named Regional Correspondent for the Ipoh area.

In 1965 and 1966, Theresa served as a member of the National Teaching and Consolidation Committee for the Northern region. During the same period, she also served on the State Teaching Committee of Perak, working alongside Mrs. Betty Fernandez of Bagan Serai and Mr. T. Krishnan of Kuala Kangsar.