MCA got involved in the Independence Movement, and early national politics, when it evolved into a political party in 1955. The party joined forces with a fledging UMNO to push for the independence of then Malaya. Pow Nee and many others in MCA became politicians as a result. He had actually drifted into politics two years earlier when local elections were introduced to Bukit Mertajam in November 1953. Leaders of the Penang Radical Party – Dr Lim Chong Eu, Dr N.K. Menon, and lawyer Mr Oliver Phipps – approached the community leaders in Bukit Mertajam, Mr Ooi Kean Kor, Mr Yeap Ban Siong, Mr Teh Cheok Sah, Mr Chan Ewe Pin and others, to stand as candidates for the first Bukit Mertajam Town Council Election.

Pow Nee was one of the many proposed as candidates. He was deeply committed to Kim Sen School at that time, and felt that it would be unfair to his School if he were to accept their nomination. He had hoped to be excused. He produced a letter from the Penang Scout Commissioner Mr. Gan Hoot Ewe, stating that a Scouter should not actively participate in politics. However, Dr N. K. Menon, a Vice President of the Penang Scout Council, pointed out that there was no such ruling in the Scout Organization.

He instead felt that a Scouter could stand in the Election. Community leaders in Bukit Mertajam then approached Pow Nee to accept their nomination. The election was held on 28 November 1953. He won his first elections that day.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Malaya, Monsignor Olcomendy, visited Pow Nee the next year and in their conversation told him: “I have a feeling that something important is coming for you. Please accept it for the love of God.” Pow Nee was not surprised on being told that by the Bishop, thinking that, “something important” meant that he would be appointed as headmaster of a new school. At that time, he was teaching at Kim Sen School which was run by the Church and there were plans to set up a separate English primary school.

By this time, Pow Nee’s contributions to the community had expanded far beyond Kim Sen School. He was Scout District Commissioner, Bukit Mertajam from 1954; Commandant of a Junior Red Cross Unit; Member of the District Welfare Committee and Settlement of Penang Welfare Committee; Vice President of St Vincent de Paul; President of Schools Combined Organization, Bukit Mertajam; Chairman of Cultural and Educational Committee, MCA; Member of the Executive Council, Settlement of Penang; and Chairman for Commerce and Industry, Penang.

At the last Executive Council meeting held shortly before Independence in 1957, the High Commissioner for the Federation of Malaya, Sir Donald Macgillivray announced that Dr. Lim Chong Eu would become Penang’s first Chief Minister. The latter was the best candidate since he was a senior member of The Council and Head of the State MCA. Also present at the meeting was State UMNO Chief Hashim Awang, and Abu Bakar, representative of the Muslim League.

Pow Nee turned to Dr Lim and said: “Well done Chong Eu, I’m glad you are accepting the nomination to be our Chief Minister.” To this, Dr. Lim replied’ “Pow Nee, don’t you worry. You sit down. We agreed that you are the proper man to be the first Chief Minister of Penang.” Pow Nee was stunned. He was a shy may who did not like the limelight and was truly dismayed at the prospect of leaving his peaceful farmhouse in Bukit Mertajam for the Chief Minister’s Mansion in Georgetown. It took the others several hours to persuade him to accept the post. It turned out that Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was waiting by the phone in Kuala Lumpur all this while for his response. Pow Nee eventually called The Tunku who told him: “Pow Nee, you sudah terima (have accepted). It’s okay.”

Pow Nee drove directly to St Anne’s Church after the meeting to pray for God’s blessings and guidance. The first person he shared the news that he was going to be the first Chief Minister was Father Thomas Chin, parish priest of the Church
and Chairman of Kim Sen School’s board of management. Pow Nee said: “I am excited yet confused. I have been dealing with innocent children and now I have to run a government. It is certainly a heavy responsibility.” The priest said, “Pow Nee, don’t you worry! God will help you. Be honest and help the people and the country.”