Kapitan China
Encyclopedia
Kapitan Cina or Capitan China was originally a Portuguese
title for the representative of a Chinese enclave. The 15th century rulers of Southeast Asia, such as Melaka (modern day Malacca
) and Banten (or Bantam
), chose to deal with a single individual from each ethnic group under their rule. This administrative method of indirect rule was later adopted by the Portuguese when they took over Melaka in the 16th century, as well as the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies
, and the English in British Malaya
.
Throughout Southeast Asia, Batavia (now Jakarta
) arguably boasts the longest continuous history of the institution of Kapitan Cina: see the official website of the Koang Koan Archives at Leiden University. In the 17th century, the Dutch appointed Souw Beng Kong, formerly Kapitan Cina of Bantam, as the first Kapitein der Chinezen of Batavia. Through Kapitein Beng Kong, then, the Batavian Captaincy succeeded the much-earlier institution of Kapitan Cina of Bantam. It ended in 1945 with the death of Khouw Kim An, the last Majoor der Chinezen of Batavia, possibly also the last such intermediary rulers in Southeast Asia. The issue of a Luitenant, Kapitein or Majoor der Chinesen are entitled, by Jakartan custom, to the hereditary dignity of Sia.
With the end of the colonial period, the title became purely an honorary one.
was a Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur
and is considered the founder of the city. The title was abolished in 1902, when Yap Kwan Seng
died.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
title for the representative of a Chinese enclave. The 15th century rulers of Southeast Asia, such as Melaka (modern day Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
) and Banten (or Bantam
Bantam (city)
Bantam in Banten province near the western end of Java was a strategically important site and formerly a major trading city, with a secure harbor on the Sunda Strait through which all ocean-going traffic passed, at the mouth of Banten River that provided a navigable passage for light craft into...
), chose to deal with a single individual from each ethnic group under their rule. This administrative method of indirect rule was later adopted by the Portuguese when they took over Melaka in the 16th century, as well as the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, and the English in British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
.
Throughout Southeast Asia, Batavia (now Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
) arguably boasts the longest continuous history of the institution of Kapitan Cina: see the official website of the Koang Koan Archives at Leiden University. In the 17th century, the Dutch appointed Souw Beng Kong, formerly Kapitan Cina of Bantam, as the first Kapitein der Chinezen of Batavia. Through Kapitein Beng Kong, then, the Batavian Captaincy succeeded the much-earlier institution of Kapitan Cina of Bantam. It ended in 1945 with the death of Khouw Kim An, the last Majoor der Chinezen of Batavia, possibly also the last such intermediary rulers in Southeast Asia. The issue of a Luitenant, Kapitein or Majoor der Chinesen are entitled, by Jakartan custom, to the hereditary dignity of Sia.
With the end of the colonial period, the title became purely an honorary one.
Kapitans of Kuala Lumpur
Yap Ah LoyYap Ah Loy
Yap Ah Loy , also known as Yap Tet Loy and Yap Mao Lan. He is regarded as the founding father of modern Kuala Lumpur, he developed Kuala Lumpur as a commercial and mining centre during the mid-19th century...
was a Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
and is considered the founder of the city. The title was abolished in 1902, when Yap Kwan Seng
Yap Kwan Seng
Yap Kwan Seng was the last Chinese kapitan of Kuala Lumpur from 1889 to 1902. Kapitans were appointed chiefs or headmen of the various ethnic communities during the British colonial rule in what is present-day Malaysia. Kapitans played an important role in the history of the Chinese in Malaysia...
died.
- 1858 - 1861: Hiu Siew
- 1862 - 1868: Liu Ngim Kong
- 1868 - 1885: Yap Ah Loy
- 1885 - 1889: Yap Ah Shak
- 1889 - 1902: Yap Kwan Seng
Other Kapitans China
- Koh Lay HuanKoh Lay HuanKoh Lay Huan was a wealthy and educated man, who had earlier rebelled against the Manchu Qing Dynasty and fled to Siam and the Malay States, to eventually settle in Penang as its first Kapitan China...
, Kapitan China of KedahKedahKedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, first Kapitan China of PenangPenangPenang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the... - Chung Thye PhinChung Thye PhinKapitan Chung, Thye Phin , MSC, JP was a wealthy Malayan tin miner and rubber planter of Hakka ancestry who was raised on the island of Penang in the state of the same name in Malaysia, known at that time as British Malaya. He was a member of the Perak Advisory Board and the last Kapitan China of...
, last Kapitan China of PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
and MalayaBritish MalayaBritish Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries... - Chung Keng QueeChung Keng QueeKapitan China Chung Keng Quee was the founder and administrator of modern Taiping. He was a millionaire philanthropist and known as an innovator in the mining of tin. He was involved in many other industries including farming, pawnbroking and logging. He was respected by both Chinese and European...
- Chin Seng Yam, more commonly known as Chin Ah Yam, leader of the Ghee Hin during the Larut Wars
- Tan Ah Hun, the first Capitan China of Perak circa 1850s, father of Tan Seng Poh and father-in-law of Seah Eu ChinSeah Eu ChinSeah Eu Chin was an immigrant from South China to Singapore, later becoming a successful merchant and leader in the Chinese community....
- Shing Kap, Capitan China of Sungei Ujong, and a Hai San headman
- Choa Mah Soo, Capitan China of Klias and Mempakul (circa 1869)
- Chua Su Cheong Capitan China of Dutch Malacca and father of Choa Chong Long
- Chan Yungqua, Capitan China of Malacca (18th century)
- Ah Poh, Capitan China of Lipis
- Seah Tye Heng, Capitan China of Sekudai, Johore
- Lieu Chin-Fu, Capitan China of Pulai was the last Capitan China of Kelantan
- Tan How Seng, Capitan China of Singapore
- Li Kap or Li Kup or Lee Wei King, Capitan China of Dutch Malacca, founder of the Cheng Hoon Teng temple there and the person who donated Bukit China for use as a Chinese burial ground
- Wee Sin Hee, Capitan China of Terengganu
- Tin Kap or Tay Kap, Capitan China of Portuguese Malacca, said to have been the only Capitan China appointed by the Portuguese
- Baba Seng, Capitan China of Kedah in the 1820s
- Chan Ki Lock or Chan Kup, Capitan China of Dutch Malacca circa 1704
- Khaw Boo Aun
- Dato' Chua Tuah Soon
- WEE, Hee Hoon (D: 17 March 1922 at 46 yrs of age, leaving a widow and seven children), Kapitan China of Bagan Si Api Api (Indonesia)
- OEY, Teng Kiang (Murdered 17 September 1924), Kapitan China of Palembang (Indonesia).
- KOH, Heen (husband of Mrs Anne Tan-Koh who died at 79 yrs of age in 1966, and father of Bishop Roland Koh), Kapitan China of Sandakan (East Malaysia).
- OEI, Leong Tan, Kapitan China of Bengkalis.
- LEE, Lei Kam, Kapitan China of Perlis.
- ONG, Boon Pang, Kapitan China of Brunei.
- Tam Yong (father of towkay Tan Yee Man), Kapitan China of Seremban.
- Lee Sam, Kapitan China of Seremban.
- LIM, Ah Pat, Capitan China of Muntok was decorated by the Dutch Government in 1910.
- KHOO Cheow Teong, (Justice of the Peace and father of Khoo Sian Ewe), Kapitan China of Asaban.
- WEE, Chim Yean (Died 13 August 1926 leaving four sons and four daughters), Kapitan China of Bengkalis.
- KO, Kim Yeo, Kap[itan China of Batavia.
- WEE, Boon Teng (Born in Singapore in 1864. Educated at Lye Fatt English School. Appointed Luitenant China of Selat Panjang on the Sumatra east coast in 1890. Promoted to Capitan China in 1915 and awarded the Dutch colonial gold medal. Promoted to Majoor in 1925 prior to his retirement), Kapitan China of Selat Panjang.
See also
- Kangchu system
- List of place names of Kangchu system origin
- Lanfang RepublicLanfang RepublicThe Lanfang Republic was a Chinese state in West Kalimantan in Indonesia that was established by a Hakka Chinese named Low Lan Pak in 1777, until it was ended by Dutch occupation in 1884 .The sultans of...