Leong San Tong (Dragon Mountain Hall) Khoo Kongsi in Penang is one of the biggest Chinese clan in Penang which maintain a genealogical chart dating from the present generation to the time of our Progenitor, Chian Eng Kong; an extensive lineage that can be traced back to 1354 (670 years ago) in the Mongol era of the Yuan Dynasty. We are now in the 28th generation (9th generation in Penang).
The Khoos emigrated to Penang from China even before the founding of Penang by Capt Francis Light in 1786.
Heritage Jewel of Penang
Our Penang clan house has a closely-knit and defensive congregation of buildings surrounding the main building which is a magnificent building with architecture and craftsmanship that will be hard to find even in China.
The original temple was built in 1851 which is also the year of the establishment of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Penang. The present building, built in 1906, acclaimed as the Heritage Jewel of Penang, could the grandest Chinese ancestral temple in the world with its intricate carvings, murals, sculptures, paintings depicting stories of filial piety, wisdom and glory of Chinese history.
Values of Confucianism
Only Khoos who originated from the present XinAn Village, Haicang District, Xiamen are accepted as clansmen.
The Kongsi emphasise the Confucian advocacy of amicable harmony and coexistence with relatives and clansmen, and reverence for ancestors and deities.
Caring from “The Cradle to the Grave”
Khoo Kongsi endeavour to look after our clansmen, albeit in a small way, as follows:
- Red packets for registration of new-borns
- Grants for students from Primary One to Phd.
- Annual Dinner and Red packets for graduates and clansmen honoured by the government (plaques with the name and qualification of the graduate are hung in the hall of honour in the Kongsi)
- Red packers for newly-weds who come to the clan house to pay homage
- Medical aid to the poor and widows
- Old age relief to the poor and widows who are without children
- Condolence Bereavement (peh kim) for deceased clansmen
Education
There is a Chinese saying of parents to their children that “we may not have a fortune for you to inherit, the education we give you is your fortune.” This is how we value education. In 1906 Khoo Kongsi set up its own school for the education of our children in the Kongsi premises. In 1953 a new school was built in Thean Teik Estate and in 1954 the school was nationalized, following the national education system and open to non-Khoos. In 1993 the present building was constructed and has an enrolment of over 300 students.
The Board of Governors this year targeted to raise RM1,180,000 for its 118th Anniversary Celebrations to make the Sin Kang School a model Chinese primary school in Malaysia, giving students a “wholesome education”. Khoo Kongsi pledged to donate Ringgit for Ringgit. Fund raising efforts are still continuing and the fund should reach RM3,0000,000.
Teaching will be fully digitalized with computer smart boards and all students equipped with laptops for their education. The whole school will be air-conditioned and a swimming pool will be built. Extra-curricular activities to mold their character and leadership will be emphasised with training in sports, music, oratory and leadership skills. With the sponsorship of an alumni, Dato’ Sim Choo Kheng, owner of Sim Leisure, all Std. 5 pupils and teachers will be sent to Kidzania in Kuala Lumpur for 2 days 1 night and Std. 6 pupils and teachers to Escape Theme Park in Penang for 2 days 1 night … both events to be held annually.
To maintain the expenses of the school, fund raising is continuous. We have planted Agarwood trees for future income generation and the week-long school holidays “Sin Kang Fair” at Escape Theme Park, also sponsored by Dato’ Sim, raised RM220,000 this year, will be held annually.
Seniors Residence
In the old days, one of the Kongsi properties, No. 44 Acheen Street, was used as a home for the aged and handicapped Khoos. Hopefully to complete the provision from “Cradle to Grave”, I personally hope a Seniors Wellness Residence will be built in the not too distant future.
