Origin of The Plaques

Inside The hall

The Klang Chinese Rubber Association was established in 1920, with its members primarily from Engchoon. At that time, it was a leading organization in the

Klang Chinese community. After independence of Malaya, the Klang Chinese Rubber Association renamed to Klang Rubber Association. Klang as a hub for the rubber industry and Fujianese rubber merchants. Many Fujianese businessmen accumulated wealth through the rubber industry, which they then involved in education development. Among these initiatives was the founding of the Republic Chinese Primary School by Engchoon natives from Klang. Engchoon rubber merchants were also active in the Selangor Engchoon Association. When the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association was established, they did not forget their kinship and, being colleagues in the rubber industry, presented a plaque to congratulate the establishment. In 2012, with the decline of the rubber industry, the Klang Rubber Association was dissolved, and its assets, totaling RM 2.5 million, were entirely donated to charitable and educational purposes.

The Wu Lai An Hokkien Association was established in 1902 by Hokkien people from Wu Lai An (BROGA), Ulu Beranang , and Lenggeng . The clubhouse was rebuilt in 1927. The Engchoon people in the local area had significant influences in the Fujianese community. At that time, leaders of the association, Yang Lianxi, Yan Zhangshou, Zheng Qingxian, Yan Panghu, Hong Jincong, Li Jiayao, Li Shitong brothers, Lin Caiding, Lin Bangfeng, Chen Zhongchai, Yang Jiehui, Zhang Sike, Gu Shangkeng, Lin Cangze, etc, were contributors (founders) of the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association. Among the 83 contributors, 27 have been confirmed as Engchoon natives.

The Civic School was attached to the building of Hokkien Association and was established as a school by the association, with Zheng Qingxian still serving as the executive director of the board in 1935. Association running school was very common in the early Chinese community and also reflected the spirit of self-reliance in Chinese society. We often see the leadership of Chinese schools emerging from the association leadership.

The Selangor Hokkien Association was established in 1885, located not far from the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association. During its founding, the Selangor Hokkien Association worshipped the God of Fa Zhu Gong, indicating the influence of Engchoon people within the association.

In 1926, both the Selangor Hokkien Association and the Hokkien Thongshan underwent reconstruction, marking the beginning of Engchoon people taking leadership positions within the Selangor Hokkien Association. By 1930, prominent figures from Kuala Lumpur’s Engchoon Association such as Chen Riqiang, Vice President Hong Jincong, and Treasurer Zha Zhangping were core figures to the leadership of the Selangor Hokkien Association. Thus, prior to World War II, close ties were established between the Selangor Hokkien Association and the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association. Even after resuming activities post-World War II, Engchoon people continued to play important roles within the Selangor Hokkien Association, with Tan Sri Lee Yok Nam leading the association to another peak in 1972.

Note: After Kuala Lumpur being designated as a Federal Territory, the Selangor Hokkien Association was renamed as “Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association”.

Chen Mingshu, born in Hepu, Guangdong (now part of Guangxi), was of Hakka descent and a prominent figure in the Republic of China. He held the rank of Lieutenant General and was one of the founders of the Kuomintang (KMT). Throughout his career, he served as Acting Premier of the Executive Yuan of the Nationalist Government, Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan, Minister of Communications, Commander of the 11th Army of the National Revolutionary Army, Director of the General Political Department of the NRA, Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Government, Commander-in-Chief of the Beijing-Shanghai Garrison, Acting Commander of the Songhu Garrison, and Commander of the Right-Wing Group Army of the NRA.

Chen graduated from the 3rd Term of the Baoding Military Academy and early on joined the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance). Later, he joined the Guangdong Revolutionary Army and became the commander of the 4th Regiment of the 1st Division. During the Northern Expedition in 1925, he served as the commander of the 1st Brigade and later the 10th Division under the reorganized Guangdong Revolutionary Army, renamed as the 4th Army with Li Jishen as its commander. Chen served as the commander of the 10th Division, with Jiang Guangnai as deputy commander and Cai Tingkai as regimental commander. The 4th Army gained distinction for its military achievements during the Northern Expedition and was known as the “Iron Army.” After the capture of Wuhan, the 10th Division was expanded into the 11th Army, with Chen as its commander and also serving as the commander of the Wuhan Garrison. However, he was later expelled due to conflicts with Tang Shengzhi.

The Engchoon Association in Kuala Lumpur received a plaque from Chen Mingshu during its founding period, reflecting the association’s significant influence within the Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur at the time and its recognition from the leadership of the Kuomintang.

Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975), courtesy name Jieshi, ancestral name Zhoutai, and school name Zhiqing, was a Chinese political and military leader from Fenghua, Zhejiang. He served as the principal of the Whampoa Military Academy, commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army, chairman of the National Government, premier of the Executive Yuan, and chairman of the Military Affairs Commission of the National Government. After arriving in Taiwan, Chiang resumed the presidency and was re-elected for four consecutive terms, and continuously served as the president of the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party).

Chiang was born in Fenghua, Zhejiang in 1887. He joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance in 1908 and participated in the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. In 1913, he joined the Chinese Revolutionary Party, and in 1918 he became the chief of operations of the General Command of the Fujian-Guangdong Support Army. In 1920, he was appointed as the chief of staff and front-line commander of the Second Army of the Guangdong Army. In 1922, Chiang was appointed as the chief of staff of the Second Army of the Eastern Expedition Army. During the Northern Expedition of the National Revolutionary Army in 1926, Chiang served as the commander-in-chief. In 1942, he became the supreme commander of the Allied forces in the China Theater. In 1948, he was elected as the president of the Republic of China and, in 1967, concurrently served as the chairman of the Cultural Renaissance Movement Promotion Committee. Chiang ruled mainland China for nearly 20 years. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, he went to Taiwan and continued to rule there under the title of president until his death in 1975.

From the plaque of the guild hall, it can be seen that before the establishment of Malaya, the Kuomintang has maintained a close connection with the various local Chinese associations.