KHOO KONGSI

The Khoo Kongsi is a clan association of the Leong San Tong (Dragon Mountain Hall in
English) clan. The clan temple had retained its authentic historic setting up to today, which
included the clan house, an administrative building with a meeting hall and offices, a traditional
theatre and 62 units of the late 19th century houses and shophouses for its clan members,
which were all clustered around a granite-paved square. (Refer Figure 4)

The forefathers of the Khoo family who migrated from the Sin Kang clan village in the
Hokkien province, China, built it as a clan house for his family members in 1851. The building
was then struck by lightning and a scaled-down version was later built in 1902 and completed in
1906. In the 19th century, the clan complex resembled a miniature clan village, with its own self-
government as well as educational, financial, welfare and social organizations. Chinese opera is
still staged at the theatre during the seventh lunar month.

Figure 4: The Khoo Kongsi temple

 Source: Field Study (2008)

Figure 5: The layout of the clustered Khoo Kongsi properties

Source: http://www2.malaysia-trulyasia.com (2008)

The pivotal building of the Khoo Kongsi, that is the gloriously ornate late Ch’ng dynasty
temple, Leong San Tong, was located at Cannon Square, hidden amidst terrace houses from
the late 1930s, faced with Shanghai plaster, and shophouses from the late 19th century. The
main entrance to the Khoo Kongsi was through an alley between the shophouses on Jalan
Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street). It is also accessible from Lebuh Pantai (in between
Armenian Street and Lebuh Aceh) and the rear entrance which was a decorative archway facing
Beach Street.

The temple is dedicated to the clan’s patron deities and also houses a collection of
ancestral tablets, and was embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of
the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China. (Refer Figure 6) For instance,
the carving of a flower vase resembles peace, a bamboo plant resembles longevity and a bat
resembles prosperity. (Refer Figure 7) Its red tiled roof was decorated with carvings of dragons,
phoenixes and other mythical creatures which were believed to bring good fortune to the family
members. (Refer Figure 8) The building was actually a blend of Southern Fujian and Anglo-
Indian architecture.

Figure 6: Examples of the carvings in the temple

Source: http://www2.malaysia-trulyasia.com (2008)
 Figure 7: Carving of flower vases on the wall resembling peace
Source: Field Study (2008)

Figure 8: The roof structure portrays the Hokkien architectural style which applies the
montage technique
Source: Field Study (2008)

The Khoos were among the wealthiest Chinese traders of the 17th century in Malacca
and early Penang, and together with Cheah, Yeoh, Lim and Tan Kongsi (known as the Five Big
Clans or ‘Goh Tai She’), formed the backbone of the Hokkien community in early Penang. In the
olden days, it was usual for the kongsi to demarcate their territories with their own terrace
houses on three or four sides of the perimeters. The adjoining, closely-knit and defensive model
settlement, like a clan village in the colonial city, is a rare form of congregation practiced among
the migrant communities in Malaysia.
 Figure 9: The heavily gold-plated elements of the temple testified the wealth of the Khoos
Source: Field Study, 19 August 2008.

The table below shows the chronological background of the Khoo Kongsi temple:
(Source: http://khookongsi.com.my/history_chronology.html)

120 Dollars were donated in the name of the "Penang Tua Sai Yah Public
1816 Fund" to the home village in China for the restoration of the Cheng Soon
Keong.
528 Dollars were collected among the 102 clansmen to establish the Ee Kok
1835
Tong.
1850 Purchased the present premise
Converted the local bungalow into the clanhouse and named it as Leong
1851
San Tong.
1860~1867 Khoo Thean Teik became the leader of Kean Teik Tong.
Collected donation from each branch to update The Genealogy of the Sin
1863~1867
Kang Khoo and Chan Clans.
The alliance of the Kean Teik Tong (the Tua Pek Kong Hoey) and the Red
1867 Flag fought against the alliance of the Ghee Hin Kongsi and the White Flag
in the Penang Riot which lasted for ten days (3/8~14/8).
Khoo Thean Teik was arrested and sentenced to death but was released
1868
seven years later.

Together with the Cheah Kongsi and the Yeoh Kongsi they formed the Sam
1881
Quaye Tong.
1884 Toon Boon Tong Khoo Kongsi was founded.
1894 Spent Ten Thousand Dollars for the rebuilding of Leong San Tong.
1901 The completed new building was razed by fire on Chinese New Year's Eve.
1902 Launched a four-year project to rebuild Leong San Tong.
1904 The emergence of English-educated trustees.
1906 The completion of the present Leong San Tong.
The clan school, the "Two-Grade Elementary School of the Khoo Clan," was
1907
set up in Leong San Tong.
1909 The Self-Protecting Society of the Khoo Clan was founded.
The school borrowed classrooms from Chung Hwa Confucian School to
1910
conduct classes.
The school moved to Nos. 89, 91, 93 and 95 Victoria Street and adopted the
1914
new name, Sin Kang School.
Khoo Heng Kok graduated in law from Gray's Inn, University of London. He
1914
was the first Khoo graduate from an overseas university.
The existing leadership system was abolished and a board consisting of 24
1917/1919
trustees was formed.
Bought the 379-acre Thean Teik Estate from the descendant of Khoo Thean
1920
Teik and allocated 17 acres of it for the clan cemetery.
1926 Refurbishing of Leong San Tong.
The Pacific War. Khoo Kongsi and Sin Kang School stopped operating
1941
during the Japanese Occupation.
1953 New building of Sin Kang School was built in Thean Teik Estate.
1954 Sin Kang School was opened to non-Khoo students.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi was registered as an association. A committee
1955
was set up for the restoration of Leong San Tong.
1956 Sin Kang Building was constructed at Weld Quay.
1958 Sin Kang School was nationalised.
1959 The first restoration celebration of Leong San Tong.
1965 Resumed the allocation of scholarship to clan children.
1969 Termination of the quasi-banking service.
Changed from a registered Society to incorporation of "Trustees of Leong
1976
San Tong Khoo Kongsi (Penang) Registered."
Joint venture agreement signed between Trustees of Leong San Tong Khoo
1983 Kongsi (Penang) Registered and Perumahan Falim (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. to
develop Thean Teik Estate.
1987 Repair of the roof of Leong San Tong.
Demolished the old building of Sin Kang School and replaced it with a three-
1993
storey block.
Donated a sum of RM2.5 million for the rebuilding of the Cheng Soon Keong
1995~1997
in Sin Aun, China.
Sin Kang Building at Weld Quay was demolished and rebuilt as a ten-storey
1996
block.
1996~1997 Repair of the Opera Stage.
1997~1999 Diversification of Kongsi's investment's into Estates Management.
A columbarium complex was set up beside the Sin Kang Khoo Clan
1999
Cemetery.
Second major restoration of Leong San Tong, costing more than RM4.2
1999~2001
million.