Exhibition on Ngee Heng Kongsi is now open to public for a year
JOHOR BARU: Important documents and customs of the infamous Ngee Heng Kongsi, a secret society for the Chinese settlement in Johor is open to the public for the first time in a year-long exhibition here.
Upon entering the stairs leading up to the exhibition, visitors would be greeted by red cloth hanging at the doorway, which is similar to what it was like back then at the society’s headquarters.
Abacus for accounts: Beside an exhibition about the Ngee Heng Kongsi, the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum, also included exhibitions of notable developments in the Chinese community in Johor.
The in-depth exhibition, located at the top floor of the four-storey Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum, gives an insight on how the secret society was formed and developed in Johor for more than 70 years.
Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association manager Eric Ku explained that the Ngee Heng leader, Tan Kee Soon, led his followers to Johor and settled down in Tanjung Puteri (now Johor Baru) in 1844 in response to the call of Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim, the father of Sultan Abu Bakar, to implement Kangchu System.
“Later, the society was the only one of such to be endorsed by Sultan Abu Bakar, and it was through the society, the pepper and gambier productions came under one economic control system and flourished in Johor,” he told Star Metro here.
Ku added that there were misconceptions about the society where it holds a notorious reputation and a negative impression among the people.
Trying out the stuff: Visitors trying out the rubber stamps used by the secret society.
“There is a common bad impression towards the society, which was perceived as an underground society even until now.
“The purpose of unveiling the society to the public is also to let them understand how the society contributed, upheld and united the Johorean Chinese community,” said Ku, adding that the society was dissolved by law in 1916.
He added that it took a year to derive for on-site information from Mainland China, Singapore, Penang and Riau Islands, Indonesia, where Ngee Heng society was active at the time.
Meaningful memories: Visitors taking the opportunity to snap photos at the exhibition, which was the first time that any documents from the secret society was opened up to the public.
Visitors will have an eye-opening experience at the exhibition, which included a list of the oath of pledge, a mock altar where members performed a series of rituals before being sworn-in as a member as well as secret hand language of the society in dual-language description.
Besides the Ngee Heng exhibition, the other floors of the museum is dedicated to the history of the Chinese community in Johor, national heritage celebrations such as Lantern Festival and 24 Festive Drums origins.
The RM1.5mil museum is located along Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Baru and is open from 9am to 5pm daily except Mondays.
Tickets are priced at RM5 per adult and RM2 for students, children and senior citizens and the public can call 07-224 9633 for more information.
~News courtesy of The Star~
JOHOR BARU: Important documents and customs of the infamous Ngee Heng Kongsi, a secret society for the Chinese settlement in Johor is open to the public for the first time in a year-long exhibition here.
Upon entering the stairs leading up to the exhibition, visitors would be greeted by red cloth hanging at the doorway, which is similar to what it was like back then at the society’s headquarters.
The in-depth exhibition, located at the top floor of the four-storey Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum, gives an insight on how the secret society was formed and developed in Johor for more than 70 years.
Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association manager Eric Ku explained that the Ngee Heng leader, Tan Kee Soon, led his followers to Johor and settled down in Tanjung Puteri (now Johor Baru) in 1844 in response to the call of Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim, the father of Sultan Abu Bakar, to implement Kangchu System.
“Later, the society was the only one of such to be endorsed by Sultan Abu Bakar, and it was through the society, the pepper and gambier productions came under one economic control system and flourished in Johor,” he told Star Metro here.
Ku added that there were misconceptions about the society where it holds a notorious reputation and a negative impression among the people.
“There is a common bad impression towards the society, which was perceived as an underground society even until now.
“The purpose of unveiling the society to the public is also to let them understand how the society contributed, upheld and united the Johorean Chinese community,” said Ku, adding that the society was dissolved by law in 1916.
He added that it took a year to derive for on-site information from Mainland China, Singapore, Penang and Riau Islands, Indonesia, where Ngee Heng society was active at the time.
Visitors will have an eye-opening experience at the exhibition, which included a list of the oath of pledge, a mock altar where members performed a series of rituals before being sworn-in as a member as well as secret hand language of the society in dual-language description.
Besides the Ngee Heng exhibition, the other floors of the museum is dedicated to the history of the Chinese community in Johor, national heritage celebrations such as Lantern Festival and 24 Festive Drums origins.
The RM1.5mil museum is located along Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Baru and is open from 9am to 5pm daily except Mondays.
Tickets are priced at RM5 per adult and RM2 for students, children and senior citizens and the public can call 07-224 9633 for more information.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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