Sunday 27 September 2009

Yap Kwan Seng

Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng was the fifth Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur and also marked as the last one upon his death. Famously known as the last Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, Yap Kwan Seng was also famed for his philanthropic contributions in economics, educations, social and health welfare in British Malaya.Yap Kwan Seng of Hakka origin was originated from Liangpoi Village, Chixi Township, Taishan County,  Zhuhai Prefecture, Guangdong Province in China, where he was born there in 1846. He was the eldest son of Yap Hoin Yin. Yap Kwan Seng first arrived in Malaya at the age of 16 years. He first arrived at Malacca to visit a friend and learning the great success in managing tin mining in Malaya. The curious young Yap Kwan Seng, was then decided to remain in the country after spending some time in assisting Kapitan Yap Ah Shak.Yap Kwan Seng later commenced tin mining own his own account and was successfully in securing from the government in monopolizing the State Selangor Farms (Opium & Liquor). In 1888, on the death of Kapitan Yap Ah Shak, subsequently, Yap Kwan Seng was elected to replace the Kapitan office. He was given a seat on the Selangor State Council and Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board. Yap Kwan Seng died at his residence at Kuala Lumpur in 1901, leaving a family of fifteen sons and ten daughters, and estates valued at several million dollars. His estates were left in trust to Messrs. Teh Seow Teng, Tong Tung and Yap Tai Kee (his eldest son). Yap Tai Kee died shortly after his father and his position was taken by the second son, Yap Tai Cheong.

4 comments:

  1. Dear Mr. khoo,

    How shall I be able to contact via email? Would appreciate if you could drop me an email at gwynwelsh@gmail.com

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  2. My friend Sean showed me your blog.

    I've been doing a family tree of S'pore pioneers for National Library. Tree has 70 different historical families, interconnected. Presented at IAHA conference 2010 June.

    Showed marriage alliances from years 1800-1959, arranged marriages for business and politics. Many in your blog are in the tree.

    Someday somewhere,
    Andrew
    atyg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi gwynwelsh,

    You can email me at eugenekhoo[at]live[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Andrew,

    It is sad that I missed out the chance to help you.

    Hoping to collaborate with you in your latest work.

    ReplyDelete