RENOWNED HOKKIEN CLAN MEMBERS
1842:
1828:
Every Chinese migrant’s dream
was to return to his homeland in
his lifetime, bringing fame, fortune
and honour to his family. However,
these adventurers did not know
when or even if they would return to
China, which was a matter of grave
concern because they believed
that they would be turned into
wandering spirits if they passed
away in a foreign land with no
proper burial ground.
The Hokkien clan, being the most
dominant group, established the
Heng San Ting Temple to manage a
public cemetery at Silat Road. In its
early days, the temple also served
as a focal point for immigrant fellow
clansmen to help and keep in touch
with each other. The president
of the temple was Si Hoo Kee, a
renowned Chinese community
leader in Singapore and Malacca
and a wealthy trader. The Heng San
Ting Temple burnt down in 1992.
As more and more Hokkiens came
from China and Malacca in search
of a better life, the need to handle
social, economic and education
issues became more pressing and
led to the establishment of the
Thian Hock Keng Temple to handle
matters of the living.
The inaugural council of the Thian
Hock Keng Temple consisted of
three Presidents (Dadongshi) – Tan
Tock Seng (chief Dadongshi), Si
Hoo Kee and Kiong Kong Tuan –
and nine council members. During
this period, the Hokkien clan had
developed into a wealthy and
powerful force within the
Chinese community. The council
saw themselves as the de facto
leaders of the Hokkien and Chinese
community, which was wh