He started as a lecturer in UM, moving up in his academic career as an associate professor, as Head of the East Asia Studies and most recently helm the Institute for China Studies in the same university as its director, when he opted for early retirement to contest in the 12th Malaysian general election.

In the 12th Malaysian general election, Kok Chung contested in the parliamentary constituency of Kluang (P.152) in the state of Johor as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, which he won.

Winning in the 12th GE, Kok Chung’s earned a place as the deputy minister for Higher Education in the then newly-formed Malaysian Cabinet.

[4] In the 13th Malaysian general election in 2013, Kok Chung re-contested the constituency of Kluang, but was defeated by a Democratic Action Party (DAP) opponent, Liew Chin Tong.

[5] In the 14th Malaysian general election, Kok Chung contested the Tebrau constituency (P.158) in Johor, but ultimately lost to Pakatan Harapan's Choong Shiau Yoon.