By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: In the quiet turning of time, there are lives that rise not with fanfare or trumpet, but with the steady rhythm of service. Such is the story of Chua Liak Ching, a man who, as a wide-eyed youth of 21, stepped into the ranks of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society — never imagining that destiny would one day place the mantle of leadership upon his shoulders.

Today, at the age of 75, Chua stands as chairman of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Johor Bahru Branch, a figure whose nearly five decades of devotion to humanity have etched his name gently but firmly into the annals of humanitarian service.

Yet the path that led him here began in humble fashion.

It was the year 1970 when young Chua first donned the uniform of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member. At the time, he was simply a young man stirred by a quiet calling — a desire to lend a hand where suffering dwelt and to offer comfort where hope seemed faint.

He could scarcely have imagined that the small step he took that year would blossom into a lifelong commitment to one of the world’s most respected humanitarian movements.

“Joining the Red Crescent,” Chua reflected in an exclusive interview with ApaKhabar TV, “is about serving humanity. It is about helping others without seeking financial reward or recognition. Compassion must be the compass.”

His voice carries neither boast nor pride — only the calm conviction of a man who has spent a lifetime tending to the needs of others.

Born with a deep sense of empathy, Chua found his purpose within the noble creed of the Red Crescent — to prevent and alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health, and to uphold respect for every human being regardless of race, religion or creed.

Through the passing decades, that creed became the guiding star of his life.

From the dusty refugee camps of Mersing, where Vietnamese refugees once sought sanctuary under the watchful care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the flood-ravaged plains of Kota Tinggi and Skudai, Chua was there — sleeves rolled, heart steady, ready to serve.

In Mersing, he worked tirelessly among displaced families who had fled war and hardship in search of safety. The Red Crescent volunteers provided food, medical care, and the small but powerful gift of dignity to people who had lost almost everything.

“It was a difficult time,” he recalled quietly. “But we gave what help we could. The Red Crescent was there to ensure that these refugees were not forgotten.”

In the years that followed, Johor itself would face the fury of nature. Floodwaters surged through towns and villages, leaving many families stranded and vulnerable. Once again, Chua and his fellow volunteers stood at the forefront — distributing relief supplies, tending to the injured, and offering comfort to those who had lost homes and possessions.

For Chua, such service was never extraordinary. It was simply the natural duty of one who had pledged himself to humanity.

His steadfast dedication did not go unnoticed.

In 2004, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Johor Bahru branch, a role in which he quietly strengthened the society’s humanitarian outreach. Two decades later, in 2024, he assumed the chairmanship, succeeding his predecessor Chong Ah Ng and inheriting the responsibility of guiding the organisation into the future.

Yet Chua is quick to remind others that leadership is never the work of one man alone.

Behind him stands a devoted team of volunteers, advisors and supporters who share the same vision of compassion and service.

“Our advisors have always been there for us. Their moral and financial support has strengthened our efforts tremendously,” he said with gratitude.

Among those he holds in high regard are Mejar Cina Dato’ David Wong Khong Soon and Chong Ah Ng, whose guidance, he says, has been invaluable in steering the organisation’s humanitarian mission.

Today the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Johor Bahru Branch stands as a vibrant and growing force for good, with some 12,000 members working across communities to provide disaster relief, medical assistance and humanitarian support.

Young cadets continue to join the movement, learning vital skills in first aid, disaster preparedness and leadership — while absorbing the deeper lessons of empathy and compassion.

“Disaster preparedness saves lives,” Chua emphasised. “When communities are prepared, fear is reduced and people can respond more effectively to emergencies.”

But beyond training and numbers lies a deeper purpose.

For Chua, the Red Crescent represents something timeless — a brotherhood and sisterhood bound by the shared belief that every human life is precious.

From corporate donors who lend their generosity, to volunteers who give their time and energy, the society’s strength lies in the unity of many hearts working for a single cause.

As the Malaysian Red Crescent reflects upon its long history of service, its mission remains unwavering: to alleviate suffering, protect lives and uphold human dignity.

These principles — humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality — form the moral compass that guides every volunteer who wears the emblem of the red crescent.

And now, at the helm of the Johor Bahru branch, Chua Liak Ching finds himself steering that noble vessel into the future.

The road ahead may be long, and the burdens of leadership many.

Yet for a man who began as a young volunteer with nothing but compassion in his heart, the journey seems less a destination than a continuation of a lifelong calling.

For as long as there are hands to help and lives to uplift, Chua Liak Ching will remain what he has always been — a quiet servant of humanity, walking steadily in the enduring light of the Red Crescent’s timeless promise.