林义顺 : 1920年代新加坡中华总商会领袖 = LIM NEE SOON : A LEADER OF THE SINGAPORE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN THE 1920S

Abstract

Lim Nee Soon (Lin Yishun, 1879-1936), a Singaporean born merchant (with ancestry from Chenghai Destrict, Shantou, Guangdong, China) was a prominent figure within Singapore Chinese communities from the late 19th to early 20th century. Nicknamed the “Rubber King" and “Pineapple King", his influence was not limited to the plantation industry; he was also a highly respected businessman, diplomat and Chinese community leader. Lim's political involvement with Dr Sun Yat Sen (Sun Zhongshan) to overthrow the Manchu feudal rule in China contributed much legacy that was highly discussed by the academia. However, such glorified image of Lim might have overshadowed his contributions towards Singapore's Chinese community in the early 1920s. To ensure extensiveness of the research, timeline of research entities were not restricted till 1929, but till 1933 in order to draw objective views of Lim. Through sources ranging from meeting minutes, anniversary souvenir publication and newspapers publication, this research paper seeks to identify key contributions by Lim Nee Soon within the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). This thesis consists of five main chapters, each crafted with the aim to gradually seek clearer positioning of Lim through his contributions in the SCCCI from 1921 to 1933 and also his subsequent involvement till his departure in 1936. Through the highlighting and elaboration of significant issues answered by Lim Nee Soon, the author seeks to investigate and reposition Lim's reputation of an influential and significant character in the Chinese community. Firstly the research paper addresses the author's concern with current research limits of Lim Nee Soon. It was identified that a detailed biography covering different aspects of Lim was done by Phua Chye Long (Pan Xing Nong) in the 1950s, serving as a valuable factual documentation (first-hand recount). Then in the 1980s and 1990s, advancements in technology brought about easy accessibility to historical records which catalyzed research work of Lim. However these publications remained tinted with investigations between Lim and his revolutionary efforts. Thus on the basis on current researches, this paper seeks to identify and clarify an aspect of Lim that has yet to be studied in-depth by the academia. Two chapters of this paper have been allocated to introduce Lim Nee Soon and the functions of SCCCI since its establishment. The following chapter then categorizes and lists Lim's contributions into two main periods during his tenure in SCCCI, years when he was appointed Chairman (1921-1922 and 1925-26) and years when he was not (1923- 1924 and 1927-30). This categorization displayed Lim's greater involvement in community activities through SCCCI when he was not holding the Chairman's appointment. Seeking greater understanding of the findings where Lim contributed more when he was not the Chairman of SCCCI, the author then focuses on two main events that Lim addressed during this period, the restriction of rubber (Stevenson Schema) and changes in the Overseas Chinese remittance procedure and this was then followed by a chapter exploring possible reasons that contributed to the surge in Lim's contribution when he was not the Chairman. The paper concludes by reaffirming Lim's position as an influential Chinese leader, and also how multiple reasons have to be put into consideration as notable contribution is not necessarily supported by prestigious status. Lim Nee Soon (Lin Yishun, 1879-1936), a Singaporean born merchant (with ancestry from Chenghai Destrict, Shantou, Guangdong, China) was a prominent figure within Singapore Chinese communities from the late 19th to early 20th century. Nicknamed the “Rubber King" and “Pineapple King", his influence was not limited to the plantation industry; he was also a highly respected businessman, diplomat and Chinese community leader. Lim's political involvement with Dr Sun Yat Sen (Sun Zhongshan) to overthrow the Manchu feudal rule in China contributed much legacy that was highly discussed by the academia. However, such glorified image of Lim might have overshadowed his contributions towards Singapore's Chinese community in the early 1920s. To ensure extensiveness of the research, timeline of research entities were not restricted till 1929, but till 1933 in order to draw objective views of Lim. Through sources ranging from meeting minutes, anniversary souvenir publication and newspapers publication, this research paper seeks to identify key contributions by Lim Nee Soon within the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). This thesis consists of five main chapters, each crafted with the aim to gradually seek clearer positioning of Lim through his contributions in the SCCCI from 1921 to 1933 and also his subsequent involvement till his departure in 1936. Through the highlighting and elaboration of significant issues answered by Lim Nee Soon, the author seeks to investigate and reposition Lim's reputation of an influential and significant character in the Chinese community. Firstly the research paper addresses the author's concern with current research limits of Lim Nee Soon. It was identified that a detailed biography covering different aspects of Lim was done by Phua Chye Long (Pan Xing Nong) in the 1950s, serving as a valuable factual documentation (first-hand recount). Then in the 1980s and 1990s, advancements in technology brought about easy accessibility to historical records which catalyzed research work of Lim. However these publications remained tinted with investigations between Lim and his revolutionary efforts. Thus on the basis on current researches, this paper seeks to identify and clarify an aspect of Lim that has yet to be studied in-depth by the academia. Two chapters of this paper have been allocated to introduce Lim Nee Soon and the functions of SCCCI since its establishment. The following chapter then categorizes and lists Lim's contributions into two main periods during his tenure in SCCCI, years when he was appointed Chairman (1921-1922 and 1925-26) and years when he was not (1923- 1924 and 1927-30). This categorization displayed Lim's greater involvement in community activities through SCCCI when he was not holding the Chairman's appointment. Seeking greater understanding of the findings where Lim contributed more when he was not the Chairman of SCCCI, the author then focuses on two main events that Lim addressed during this period, the restriction of rubber (Stevenson Schema) and changes in the Overseas Chinese remittance procedure and this was then followed by a chapter exploring possible reasons that contributed to the surge in Lim's contribution when he was not the Chairman. The paper concludes by reaffirming Lim's position as an influential Chinese leader, and also how multiple reasons have to be put into consideration as notable contribution is not necessarily supported by prestigious status.