The History of Huang Clan Chi Chang Fellowship Society Hall

The initiation and organization of the society can be attributed to the murder of Comrade Yan Chi in Klang by the Gang, which aroused the thought of organizing the society by members of the same clan. In other words, if there is no the event of Comrade Yan Chi, then there is no the organization of the society.

Hereby I state the origin of the organization in general below to record the historical facts, based on the oral accounts of wise men in the clan and survival data.

In August of 1953, Comrade Yan Chi, had a misunderstanding with the local Gang members in the street of Kuala Lumpur Klang because of official business. The rogues went so far as to muster members to commit physical assault. Bare-handed Comrade Yan Chi hopelessly outnumbered, was besieged by the rogues holding weapons and beaten badly, to death on the spot.

The clan relatives living in Singapore at that time were all aflame with indignation after hearing the bad news. Soon Comrade Nong Bo, Bi Han and Wu Song went hand in hand together to Klang to handle the aftermath of the murder, with the righteous assistance from Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan in the locality, and reported the case to Klang police as the relative identity of the dead for them to apprehend the murderer. Afterwards dozens of murderers failed to escape punishment and were arrested finally, conviction settled respectively.

Since the case of Comrade Yan Chi, there were a great number of the members of the clan living in Singapore, while they hadn't been gathered and united, just like loose sand. If there occurred any incident, they could neither get in touch with each other nor give play to the mutual aid spirit, let alone promote the friendship of the clan. Our Chinese people have always valued social organization with strong cohesion. A number of clan ancestral halls both in local and other places had long been set up, and the establishment of our society was nothing more than compliance with the environmental needs.

In October of the same year, Comrade Bi Han was firstly responsible for originating the task of application to the association registration officer for preparatory meeting, and called up the clan relatives upon approval, using Yan Ya Street Rattan Industry Fraternity Hall as the temporary office and establishing the preparatory committee and holding the first joint meeting of patrons. The clan relatives present were extremely enthusiastic and impromptu elected the following preparatory committee members: Chairman: Nong Bo; Director of General Affairs: Comrade Bi Han; Deputy Director of General Affairs: You Tian; Finance Personnel: Qing Quan; Auditor: Shao Ji; committee members: Shao Zhong, Xian Quan, Chang Quan, Qing Liang, Lin Jian, Xiao Yuan (and Secretary); alternate member: Wu Song.

On December the 4th of the same year, the association registration officer approved "Chi Chang Fellowship Society" as a formal organization exempt from registration. Till now, the organization of the society had been successful as they wished. The clan relatives were so excited and "Chi Chang Fellowship Society" was thus formally established. The number of members reached over 200 after several months of recruitment and the first member assembly was held, in which the directors of the first council were elected.

After the generation of the first council, the clan relatives thought that the Huang Family Genealogy could be traced back to the succession of great ancestor Qiao Shangong, with generations of descendants spreading and passing down up to now. Members of the clan preached the sermon. The top priority after the establishment of the clan society was to find a permanent place for ancestral worship in which the descendents could enshrine the ancestor; what's more, the place could be used for expanding society business and contacting clan members. All members agreed. But the problem of funds arose, fortunately, members of the clan gave enthusiastic response to subscription. Tickle-down gathering into a river and many a little making a mickle, at last they leased No. 78 of Li shi geshi Road as the society site in June of 1954, with the monthly rent of $200.00. The society was taking shape then. After 1955, welfare shares and percussion were also originated then to serve the clan relatives, which got the enthusiastic support from members. Therefore the business was thriving.

However, good times didn't last long. The rent soared to $800.00 per month in 1981 and it was difficult for the society to bear. So the clan relative Ji Cheng, the finance personnel at that time, gave suggestions to President Cheng Liao and made presentation in the board. In his opinion, the society should purchase a property as the society site, once and for all and as a long-term solution, to carry forward the business and strengthen cohesion, as a permanent possession. All the members agreed and the Honorary President Shi Shun of the society took the lead to contribute 100 thousand dollar. Shi Shun' s generosity imbued the board with confidence. The clan relatives all responded eagerly and contributed. As the old sayings go, "God helps those who help themselves." and "Where there's a will, there Is a way." Finally more than 400 thousand dollar was contributed. Then an old building located at No. 13 ,Lorong 35 , Geylang was bought in 1983, which became a clean and spacious society site after repair and renovation inside and outside. Thus the wish of society site acquisition was achieved.

Afterwards they spared no efforts to reward and promote others by setting up scholarship and grants for the children of members to support the children of the clan striving for progress. The scholarship and grants were all sponsored by the Honorary President Shi Shun, which was a great and selfless contribution to the society. Therefore he gained the praise and respect from members of clan relatives for more than 20 years. Furthermore, the society has regularly ad hoc held "Banquet for Honouring the Elders" in Spring Festival gala to entertain the poor and the old and distribute red envelops and gifts over the years to show their care. The activity is held every year to give play to our Chinese traditional spirit of "Extend the respect for the elderly in one's family to that of other families; extend the love of the young children in one's family to that of other families."

Time was like running water and about twenty years had passed in a flash. The society site house with collapsed walls was decadent unbearable, stuck in the middle of the surrounding newly-built high buildings and large mansions, appearing so insignificant when compared with the buildings, dwarfed and extremely clumsy. It would cost a lot to rebuild, so in the general assembly the members agreed to authorize the four industry trustees of Comrade Lee Chuan, Nee Chon , Sai Hai and Boon Kim to sell the society site. Consequently the site was sold at the price of over 1.9 million dollar. Then they actively searched for a new society site and found a site at No. 2 Jalan Suka Of Lorong 24 Geylang, covering an area of more than five thousand square feet, with freehold and reasonable price, and waiting to be sold. They meant to conclude the transaction when a vigorous opponent rushed to purchase. After competition they outwitted and bought the site at the price of $550,000 . Additionally, over $200 ,000 was used for decoration and now it has become a site with multiple uses. In order to consolidate the foundation, they purchased a two-storey shop at No. 10 in Dunlop Street in April, 2009, which has been rented. The rental income constitutes society funds and thus the permanent foundation has been laid.

Up to now the society has more and more frequent activities with the active participation of members and the society affairs also proceed step by step. So there is surplus for annual celebration, from which appropriation will be donated to the local charities.

The society has a history of 60 years since its establishment. In retrospect, the purpose has remained unchanged on the road with ups and downs, namely, maintaining traditional beliefs, promoting forefather virtues and seeking the welfare of the same clan.

The above is the process of the origination and establishment of our society. Look back upon, we were encountered all sorts of difficulties at the very beginning. Thanks to the unwavering will and joint endeavours of the clan colleagues, we have succeeded. In particular, we have Comrades Bi Han, Nong Bo, Xi Xiang, Shao Ji, Cheng Liao, Jin Tong, Shi Shun, Ji Cheng and Jin Fu in early stage; and in later stage we have Lee Chuan, Nee Chon , Sai Hai and Boon Kim, Ching Kay, Kok Kiang, Soh Kim BBM and so on, as well as the money and efforts from other clan relatives. Their contribution is too much to be recorded in all, so I would like to extend my lofty respect. I hope our clan relatives will carry forward our cause and forge ahead into the future with one mind, maintaining the original cohesion and continuing to work together for the development of our society affairs from now on, so that we can step toward another new milestone.