薛中华 : 20世纪初的新加坡华社领袖 = SEE TIONG WAH : CHINESE COMMUNITY LEADER IN SINGAPORE IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Abstract

See Tiong Wah (1886-1940) was a Chinese community leader in Singapore in the early 20th century. He came from the prominent Straits Chinese family, the See family, which contributed significantly to the Chinese community in Singapore over a hundred years. His great grandfather, Si Hoo Keh, was one of the earliest Hokkien leaders in Singapore. Si Hoo Keh was the first generation of the See family who came to Singapore in the early 19th century. He was one of the founders of Heng Sang Teng burial ground which was the main organisation for the Hokkiens in Singapore at that time. Another contribution of the See family was the establishment of the first Chinese newspaper in Singapore, Lat Pau, by See Ewe Lay, who was See Tiong Wah's uncle. See Tiong Wah's main influence was demonstrated in the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, where he was an active member for 21 years (1910-1930) and 15 years (1915-1929) respectively. He was elected twice as the chairman of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whereby his main role in the chamber was to act as a middleman between the British colonial government and the Chinese in Singapore. Being proficient in English and as a municipal commissioner, he played his role well. He was also the chairman of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan for 15 years, where he was well known for mediating the fight between Futsing and Hinghwa rickshaw pullers. During his lifetime, See Tiong Wah was actively involved in many community activities. He made many donations, especially towards the Chinese schools in Singapore. As a devoted Buddhist, See Tiong Wah also contributed to several temples in Singapore. When See Tiong Wah was serving as a municipal commissioner (1916- 1930), he often fought for the rights of the Chinese community, such as pushing for the formation of a municipal cemetery. Despite having contributed significantly to the Chinese community in Singapore in many aspects, See Tiong Wah was not widely discussed in many papers. Hence, his contributions to the Chinese community in Singapore will be discussed in detail in this thesis. As a British subject, See Tiong Wah maintained a close relationship with the British colonial government by holding several government appointments and participating in celebrations initiated by the government. On the other hand, he also contributed significantly to the China society by doing disaster relief jobs. As a result, he was conferred as a Justice of the Peace and the third order of the Crop Chia Ho by both governments. These points will be discussed in the thesis as well.See Tiong Wah (1886-1940) was a Chinese community leader in Singapore in the early 20th century. He came from the prominent Straits Chinese family, the See family, which contributed significantly to the Chinese community in Singapore over a hundred years. His great grandfather, Si Hoo Keh, was one of the earliest Hokkien leaders in Singapore. Si Hoo Keh was the first generation of the See family who came to Singapore in the early 19th century. He was one of the founders of Heng Sang Teng burial ground which was the main organisation for the Hokkiens in Singapore at that time. Another contribution of the See family was the establishment of the first Chinese newspaper in Singapore, Lat Pau, by See Ewe Lay, who was See Tiong Wah's uncle. See Tiong Wah's main influence was demonstrated in the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, where he was an active member for 21 years (1910-1930) and 15 years (1915-1929) respectively. He was elected twice as the chairman of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whereby his main role in the chamber was to act as a middleman between the British colonial government and the Chinese in Singapore. Being proficient in English and as a municipal commissioner, he played his role well. He was also the chairman of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan for 15 years, where he was well known for mediating the fight between Futsing and Hinghwa rickshaw pullers. During his lifetime, See Tiong Wah was actively involved in many community activities. He made many donations, especially towards the Chinese schools in Singapore. As a devoted Buddhist, See Tiong Wah also contributed to several temples in Singapore. When See Tiong Wah was serving as a municipal commissioner (1916- 1930), he often fought for the rights of the Chinese community, such as pushing for the formation of a municipal cemetery. Despite having contributed significantly to the Chinese community in Singapore in many aspects, See Tiong Wah was not widely discussed in many papers. Hence, his contributions to the Chinese community in Singapore will be discussed in detail in this thesis. As a British subject, See Tiong Wah maintained a close relationship with the British colonial government by holding several government appointments and participating in celebrations initiated by the government. On the other hand, he also contributed significantly to the China society by doing disaster relief jobs. As a result, he was conferred as a Justice of the Peace and the third order of the Crop Chia Ho by both governments. These points will be discussed in the thesis as well.