Source: Borneo Bulletin, Jul 11 2020

Brunei’s first dental surgeon, Dr Chin Yam Chin passed away at the age of 91 on
July 9.

The founding father of the Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA), Dr Chin was well versed in the Japanese language, its culture and traditions.

He was one of the two members of BAJA in 1986, the other being the late Pengiran Setia Negara bin Pengiran Haji Yusuf (Ambassador to Japan in 1985).

Dr Chin became the association’s advisor following the Annual General Meeting in 2011. He was also conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Japanese government for his contribution to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and Brunei Darussalam.

He left for Japan in August 1958 to follow a one year intensive course in Japanese language at the Asia University, Musashi Sakai, Tokyo, prior to sitting for the National Tokyo Medical and Dental University Entrance examination.

After he passed the examination, Dr Chin was accepted by the university in March 1959 as a scholarship student. He began his six years studies at the National Tokyo Medical and Dental University majoring in Dentistry.

In his class of 60 students, he was the only foreign student.

Dr Chin leaves a son and a daughter.