Some notable Peranakans from the past

Mr Tan Tock Seng (1798-1850)
Merchant and philanthropist. He founded the Tan Tock Seng Hospital 'for the sick poor of all nations' and contributed towards the construction of the Thian Hock Keng Temple. He was the first Asina to be appointed a Justice of the Peace.


Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock (1883-1960)
Member of the Straits Settlement Legislative Council. Initiated the formation of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) in 1949 and became its first president. A Baba who fought for teh rights of Malaysian Chinese in particular and served the multiracial community in general. A road in Malacca is named after him.


Dr Lim Boon Keng (1869-1957)
Doctor and social reformer. He was the first Chinese to win the Queen's scholarship and the first president of the Xiamen University. He also co-founded the Singapore Chinese Girls' School with Sir Song Ong Siang.


Mr Tan Jiak Kim (1859-1917)
Businessman and philanthropist. An avid supporter of the British during the First World War, he was the founding president of The Peranakan Association in Singapore, then known as the Straits Chinese British Association.

Photo credits: http://uncledicko.blogspot.com/2010/04/tan-tock-sengs-neglected-tombnewsclip.html, http://www.gess.edu.sg/gess/main/ganengseng.php, http://www.gess.edu.sg/gess/main/limboonkeng.php, http://www.huayinet.org/page.php?en,57,1,10,4,6

(Adapted from Gateway to peranakan culture by Catherine Lim GS)


Reference:
Lim, C. G. S. (2003). Gateway to peranakan culture. Singapore: Asiapac Books.