Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce

The Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (檳城華人商部局), established in June of 1903 was the first Chinese Chamber of Commerce in all of Malaya. [ [http://www.pccc.org.my/ Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Homepage] ] [Malayan Chinese and China conversion in identity consciousness, 1945-1957 I.D.E. Occasional papers series: Conversion in Identity Consciousness, 1945-1957 By Fujio Hara Published by Institute of Developing Economies, 1997; p. 19]
*A 1908 article gives us an idea of the early history of the Chamber:

"Among prominent mercantile houses of Pinang there are many conducted by Chinese who follow closely and successfully the methods of Western competitors. As might be expected, the proprietors of these establishments have been quick to recognise the value and importance of an organisation for the protection of their common interests. In June, 1903, they founded the Pinang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. This institution has a membership representing about a hundred firms, and is open to Chinese merchants, traders, agents and others interested in the commerce and agriculture of the settlement. The object of its promoters is not only the protection of common trade interests , but also the collection and classification of mercantile information and the establishment of a court of arbitration to adjust commercial differences. The offices of the Chamber are in the Tin Exchange Rooms. The office-holders are Mr. Lim Kek Chuan (林克全), president; Mr. Leong Lok Hing (梁樂卿), vice-president; Mr. Yeow Paik Tat, treasurer; and Mr. Kaw Cheng Sian (辜禎善), secretary. The committee is composed of Messrs Quah Beng Kee (柯孟淇), Goh Boon Keng （吳文景）, Goh Say Eng (吳世榮), Oon Boon Tan （溫文旦), Lim Seng Hooi （林成輝）, Ong Hun Chong （王漢宗）, Khaw Joo Tok （許如琢）, Lo Poey Chee (羅培芝), Ng See Sin (吳時信), Chung Thye Phin （鄭大平）, Oh Ah Min, Yeap Yin Khye."

[Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources by Wright Arnold, Publication date: 1908] [Re-examination of the “Chinese nationalism” and Categorization of the Chinese in Malaya: The Case of the Chinese in Penang, 1890s-1910s by SHINOZAKI Kaori, Ph.D. student, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences University of Tokyo; Email: [e-mail] presented at The Penang Story – International Conference 2002, 18-21 April 2002, The City Bayview Hotel, Penang, Malaysia organised by The Penang Heritage Trust & STAR Publications]
*In January 1946 the British Military Administration decided to end Penang's duty-free status. That together with the plan to break up the Straits Settlements and impose the Malayan Union prompted the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce to lead a protest of Penang's chambers of commerce including the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Penang Muslim Chamber of Commerce. The protests aimed at the Colonial Office proved successful and Penang's free-port status was restored in June 1946. [A Modern History of Southeast Asia: Decolonization, Nationalism and Separatism By Clive J. Christie Published by I.B.Tauris, 1996; p. 40]
*Around 1948 The Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce donated 7,770 Straits dollars for the establishment of a Chinese consulate which was eventually closed in January 1950; [Xian Dai Ri Bao, January 24, 1950.] [Malayan Chinese and China conversion in identity consciousness, 1945-1957 I.D.E. Occasional papers series: Conversion in Identity Consciousness, 1945-1957 By Fujio Hara Published by Institute of Developing Economies, 1997; p. 94]

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