Koh Lay Huan
Encyclopedia
Koh Lay Huan was a wealthy and educated man, who had earlier rebelled against the Manchu
Qing Dynasty
and fled to Siam and the Malay States, to eventually settle in Penang
as its first Kapitan China
. He was a merchant, planter, tax farmer, Chinese secret society
headman, and one of a handful of pioneering leaders of Penang.
Province, on the southeast coast
of China
. At the time, Fujian was at the focus of the activities of Tiandihui
(Heaven and Earth Society), a secret society aiming at the overthrow of the Manchu
Qing Dynasty
. Having become involved in rebellious activity, Koh Lay Huan was forced to flee to the south part of Siam, where he settled successfully.
He became a close ally of the headman/penghulu
of Nakhon Srithammarat (who would, around 1821, marry one of Koh's daughters in Penang). Later, encouraged by commercial prospects, he moved to Kedah
where he again settled successfully, kept a second family, and became Kapitan Cina of Kedah
at Kuala Muda
.
claimed the island of Pulau Pinang on behalf of the King of England and renamed it Prince of Wales Island. There were only about a hundred Malay fishermen inhabiting the island at that time, but the population would grow fast - to 5,000 in 1789 and 10,000 ten years later..
Koh Lay Huan had a share in that success. Already a shortly time after after Light arrived, Koh Lay Huan came to visit him and brought with him, from Kuala Muda
, Kedah
, several boatloads of Chinese and Malays to clear the land, inhabit, trade and generally develop the island. At their inaugural meeting, Koh presented Light with a present of some fishing nets. In May 1787 Light appointed Koh as the first Kapitan Cina of Penang
.
Light respected Koh's canniness, enterprise and social and political acumen and connections. He was recorded to have said about Koh, "Tuanka (towkay) China is an old fox. He has little to do with the government but being rich and having married a daughter of the old King he bears a considerable sway in their Becharas or Council" By appointing Koh Kapitan China, Light had gained an able administrator and judge.
Koh was known as Chewan in official documents. He was also known as Koh Lay Hwan, Cheki, Chu Khee, Ku Li-huan and Patcan.
) Cauder Mohideen, and other prominent members of the community, formed the first Committee of Assessors to decide the rates and collection of taxes (assessments).
Koh had been involved with pepper cultivation already long before his arrival at Penang, having had experience in this field both in Phuket
and in Kedah
. . This was facilitated by his being well connected with the English- and French-speaking Sultan of Acheh
, Jauhar al-Alam. At the time, Aceh accounted for a large part of the worldwide production of pepper. In 1790 Francis Light sent Koh to Acheh to gather pepper plants for cultivation in Penang.
Koh retained his connection with the Acheh Sultan Jauhar al-Alam and around 1819 helped him t put down a rebellion by Achenese territorial chiefs .
. His descendants played a major role in the Penang-Kedah Chinese community for generations.
He had six sons and two daughters by Saw It Neoh, his wife in Penang, and two sons and one daughter by Guan Boey Neoh, his wife in Kedah. His daughter, Luan, the wife of the headman/penghulu
of Nakhon Srithammarat, later became the mother of the governors of Phang Nga
and Takuapa, who financially supported Khaw Su Chiang's successful tax monopolies in those provinces and who with the support of this powerful lady later became the governor of Rating in 1844.
Koh's eldest son, Koh Kok Chye, was from his Penang wife and was promoted to be the governor of Kuala Kedah
(1821–1841). Another son accompanied Sir Stamford Raffles
to Singapore
at its foundation in 1819. Koh Lay Huan's son also served as Raja
of Pungah in Ligor, and Agent for the Chau Phya of Ligor.
His famous descendants also include Koh Teng Choon, the planter and Teng Choon's son, Koh Seang Tat who together with Foo Tye Sin
operated the successful firm of Tye Sin Tat & Co.
A descendant of Koh Seang Teik (younger brother of Koh Seang Tat) was Koh Lip Cheng and Koh Lip Teng (Queens scholar of Penang Free School
).
One more famous descendant of Koh Lip Cheng was Datuk Koh Sin Hock (DSPN, AMN, OBE, JP) who was actively in the Malaya
n politics under both the British and the Japanese.
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and fled to Siam and the Malay States, to eventually settle in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
as its first Kapitan China
Kapitan China
Kapitan Cina or Capitan China was originally a Portuguese title for the representative of a Chinese enclave. The 15th century rulers of Southeast Asia, such as Melaka and Banten , chose to deal with a single individual from each ethnic group under their rule...
. He was a merchant, planter, tax farmer, Chinese secret society
Tiandihui
The Tiandihui is a fraternal organization that originated in China. The Hongmen grouping is today more or less synonymous with the whole Tiandihui concept, although the title "Hongmen" is also claimed by some criminal groups.As the Tiandihui spread through different counties and provinces, it...
headman, and one of a handful of pioneering leaders of Penang.
Earlier life
Koh Lay Huan was from T'ung-an county, Zhang Zhou Prefecture in the FujianFujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
Province, on the southeast coast
East China
East China is a geographical and a loosely-defined cultural region that covers the eastern coastal area of China.Although an intangible and loosely defined concept, for administrative and governmental purposes, the region is defined by the government of the People's Republic of China to include...
of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. At the time, Fujian was at the focus of the activities of Tiandihui
Tiandihui
The Tiandihui is a fraternal organization that originated in China. The Hongmen grouping is today more or less synonymous with the whole Tiandihui concept, although the title "Hongmen" is also claimed by some criminal groups.As the Tiandihui spread through different counties and provinces, it...
(Heaven and Earth Society), a secret society aiming at the overthrow of the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. Having become involved in rebellious activity, Koh Lay Huan was forced to flee to the south part of Siam, where he settled successfully.
He became a close ally of the headman/penghulu
Penghulu
Traditionally, the Minangkabau who at the end of the 17th Century settled at Negeri Sembilan, in present day Malaysia, chose from amongst themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these penghulus, notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau, became powerful enough to exalt...
of Nakhon Srithammarat (who would, around 1821, marry one of Koh's daughters in Penang). Later, encouraged by commercial prospects, he moved to Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
where he again settled successfully, kept a second family, and became Kapitan Cina of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
at Kuala Muda
Kuala Muda
Kuala Muda is a district in Kedah, Malaysia. Sungai Petani is the administrative center of the district. Kuala Muda district is in close proximity to the border of Kedah and Penang. Apart from Sungai Petani, other major towns in the district include Tikam Batu, Padang Tembusu, Sungai Lalang,...
.
Participation in the founding of Penang
In 1786 Francis LightFrancis Light
Captain Francis Light was the founder of the British colony of Penang and its capital George Town in 1786.-Early years:...
claimed the island of Pulau Pinang on behalf of the King of England and renamed it Prince of Wales Island. There were only about a hundred Malay fishermen inhabiting the island at that time, but the population would grow fast - to 5,000 in 1789 and 10,000 ten years later..
Koh Lay Huan had a share in that success. Already a shortly time after after Light arrived, Koh Lay Huan came to visit him and brought with him, from Kuala Muda
Kuala Muda
Kuala Muda is a district in Kedah, Malaysia. Sungai Petani is the administrative center of the district. Kuala Muda district is in close proximity to the border of Kedah and Penang. Apart from Sungai Petani, other major towns in the district include Tikam Batu, Padang Tembusu, Sungai Lalang,...
, Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, several boatloads of Chinese and Malays to clear the land, inhabit, trade and generally develop the island. At their inaugural meeting, Koh presented Light with a present of some fishing nets. In May 1787 Light appointed Koh as the first Kapitan Cina of Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
.
Light respected Koh's canniness, enterprise and social and political acumen and connections. He was recorded to have said about Koh, "Tuanka (towkay) China is an old fox. He has little to do with the government but being rich and having married a daughter of the old King he bears a considerable sway in their Becharas or Council" By appointing Koh Kapitan China, Light had gained an able administrator and judge.
Koh was known as Chewan in official documents. He was also known as Koh Lay Hwan, Cheki, Chu Khee, Ku Li-huan and Patcan.
And Origin of Penang's Municipal Assessments
In 1795, Light's business partner, James Scott, sought representation when it was decided that properties should be taxed, the revenue being needed to fund the police force, maintain roads and ensure cleanliness. It was at this time that Kapitan Cina Koh Lay Huan, his couterpart for the Indian community (Kapitan KelingKapitan Keling
Historically, a Kapitan Keling was a representative of the Indian community in a South East Asian city, similar to the more widespread office of the "Kapitan Cina" for the Chinese community. "Keling" is a Malay term for people of Indian origin, nowadays considered offensive but was not so regarded...
) Cauder Mohideen, and other prominent members of the community, formed the first Committee of Assessors to decide the rates and collection of taxes (assessments).
Aceh Links and Pepper Cultivation
Cultivation of pepper in Penang began through the initial effort of Francis Light and Koh Lay Huan.Koh had been involved with pepper cultivation already long before his arrival at Penang, having had experience in this field both in Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
and in Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
. . This was facilitated by his being well connected with the English- and French-speaking Sultan of Acheh
Aceh Sultanate
The Sultanate of Aceh, officially the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam was a sultanate centered in the modern area of Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, which was a major regional power in the 16th and 17th centuries, before experiencing a long period of decline...
, Jauhar al-Alam. At the time, Aceh accounted for a large part of the worldwide production of pepper. In 1790 Francis Light sent Koh to Acheh to gather pepper plants for cultivation in Penang.
Koh retained his connection with the Acheh Sultan Jauhar al-Alam and around 1819 helped him t put down a rebellion by Achenese territorial chiefs .
Descendants
Koh would go on to found a kongsiKongsi
Kongsi or "clan halls", are benevolent organizations of popular origin found among overseas Chinese communities for individuals with the same surname. This type of social practice arose, it is held, several centuries ago in China...
. His descendants played a major role in the Penang-Kedah Chinese community for generations.
He had six sons and two daughters by Saw It Neoh, his wife in Penang, and two sons and one daughter by Guan Boey Neoh, his wife in Kedah. His daughter, Luan, the wife of the headman/penghulu
Penghulu
Traditionally, the Minangkabau who at the end of the 17th Century settled at Negeri Sembilan, in present day Malaysia, chose from amongst themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these penghulus, notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau, became powerful enough to exalt...
of Nakhon Srithammarat, later became the mother of the governors of Phang Nga
Phang Nga
Phang Nga ) is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Phang Nga Province. The town covers the whole tambon Thai Chang of Mueang Phang Nga district. As of 2005 it has a population of 9,559 and covers an area of 6.75 km²....
and Takuapa, who financially supported Khaw Su Chiang's successful tax monopolies in those provinces and who with the support of this powerful lady later became the governor of Rating in 1844.
Koh's eldest son, Koh Kok Chye, was from his Penang wife and was promoted to be the governor of Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah is a town and parliamentary constituency in Kedah, Malaysia. It is a fishing port, located at the mouth of the Kedah River, and serves as a terminus for ferries to the tourist island of Langkawi...
(1821–1841). Another son accompanied Sir Stamford Raffles
Stamford Raffles
Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, FRS was a British statesman, best known for his founding of the city of Singapore . He is often described as the "Father of Singapore"...
to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
at its foundation in 1819. Koh Lay Huan's son also served as Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Pungah in Ligor, and Agent for the Chau Phya of Ligor.
His famous descendants also include Koh Teng Choon, the planter and Teng Choon's son, Koh Seang Tat who together with Foo Tye Sin
Foo Tye Sin
Foo Tye Sin was a Justice of the Peace and an influential community leader of 19th century. Penang born Foo Tye Sin, a British subject, was a Hakka tin miner who could trace his ancestry to the Yong Ting district, Ting Chou prefecture, Fujian Province. He was educated at St. Xavier's Institution...
operated the successful firm of Tye Sin Tat & Co.
A descendant of Koh Seang Teik (younger brother of Koh Seang Tat) was Koh Lip Cheng and Koh Lip Teng (Queens scholar of Penang Free School
Penang Free School
Penang Free School is a secondary school located on Jalan Masjid Negeri , George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Although the medium of instruction is now Malay, Penang Free School was the first English-medium school in South East Asia. It is widely recognised as one of Penang's premier schools and alumni...
).
One more famous descendant of Koh Lip Cheng was Datuk Koh Sin Hock (DSPN, AMN, OBE, JP) who was actively in the Malaya
Malaya
-Geographic/former political entities:* The Malay Peninsula* Malay Archipelago, the broader macroregion.-Malaya including Singapore:* British Malaya , a loose collection of British-controlled states...
n politics under both the British and the Japanese.
See also
- Light Street & Pitt Street Walking Tour - Part 2
- Southeast Asian Urbanism: The Meaning and Power of Social Space By Evers, Hans-Dieter Evers, Rüdiger Korff Published by LIT Verlag Berlin-Hamburg-Münster, 2000; ISBN 3825840212, ISBN 9783825840211; p. 48.