Uncovering the Myths of Two 19th-century Hokkien Business Personalities in the Straits Settlements

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to uncover and clarify the identities of two 19th-century Hokkien business personalities, namely Khoo Thean Poh 邱天保 and Khoo Tiong Poh邱忠波, who had their business operating centre based in Penang and Singapore respectively, the two most important ports-of-call of the British colonies in Southeast Asia. Two scholarly works – The Contest for North Sumatra by Anthony Reid and Shiwai Wu Taoyuan Letu Zai Danxin世外无桃园 乐土在丹心 (No Paradise in the World and Elysium in His Mind) by Qiu Ge Ping邱格屏,1 deal with Khoo Tiong Poh, but they both confuse Khoo Tiong Poh with Khoo Thean Poh. In order to rectify this situation, I will point out the reasons for the two scholars making the mistake; present seven sources that distinguish the two Hokkien business personalities and present biographical accounts which illuminate their family backgrounds, sociopolitical connections, and business involvements in the Straits Settlements and beyond.