The immigration history of Hakka migrants from Jiaying Prefecture to Kampar

UTAR Centre for Chinese Studies (CChS), I Culture Berhad and Kampar Moy Kong Association co-organised a research sharing session on The Immigration History of Migrants from Jiaying Prefecture: A Case Study of Kampar Moy Kong Association (1906-2019) (嘉应州人的移民史：以金宝梅江公会为个案研究[1906-2019]) on 20 March 2022 at Tin Road Hakka Restaurant, Kampar.

The speakers were Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Deputy Dean-cum-CChS Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin and ICS Master’s student Yew Xin Yu, while the moderator was ICS Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Dr Ling Liong Ngo.

Dr Wong emphasising that clan associations carry the historical memory of the ancestors and must be preserved academically

Dr Wong shared his research titled “Research project on Malaysian Hakka and Migrants from Jiaying Prefecture” (马来西亚客家与嘉应州人研究计划). He revealed, “According to the Census Malaysia 2000, Hakka accounted for 20.33% of the Chinese population (about 1.1 million), making it the second-largest dialect group in Malaysia. It is worth noting that the Hakka dialect group in Malaysia is a unified and diverse ethnic group, and the Jiaying (Meizhou) people account for the largest number of Hakka groups. Meizhou is also known as the world’s Hakka capital, and the Meizhou dialect has been adopted as the standard Hakka language. It can be seen that the Hakka migrants from Jiaying Prefecture are one of the ancestral origin groups that deserve our attention.”

Yew elaborating her research on a case study

In the second talk, Yew shared “The Immigration and Settling of Migrants from Jiaying Prefecture in Kampar, Perak, Malaysia: A Case Study of Kampar Moy Kong Association (马来西亚霹雳州金宝嘉应州籍人士的移居与扎根：以金宝梅江公会为个案研究 [1906-2019])”. The sharing was based on findings from her master’s research. She explained, “The research took place in 1906 when the ‘general tomb’ of Jiaying migrants in Kampar was officially established and it ended in 2019, in the year Kampar Moy Kong Association hosted the annual general meeting of Federation of Ka Yin Chu Association of Malaysia (嘉应属会联合会); the largest event hosted by the association in the recent years.”

In addition, she also explained the footstep and journey of Hakka migrants from Jiaying who moved to Kampar; the rise and consolidation of the wealthy business classes; the formation of the organisations (including the general tomb, Shin Hou She, Kampar Moy Kong Association, leisure club, to name a few), as well as the development and challenges of Moy Kong Association.

During the Q&A session, the speakers and participants discussed topics related to research, the contact unit and assistance to return to Jiaying, China and many more.

Dr Wong (second from left) answering questions from the participants, while Dr Ling (far right) moderated the session

Wong (left) and Cheah delivering their speech

In addition, Kampar Moy Kong Association President Wong Mok Ching and Vice President Cheah Ban Foo were invited to share a few words. Wong was very pleased and delighted to learn that the research project sponsored by Kampar Moy Kong Association was completed successfully. He congratulated Dr Wong and his team for their success. He also thanked former President Phan Yau Yin for his efforts in promoting this project, as well as for the support and funds provided by the members and the public for the research project. Cheah shared his insights on the immigration history of the Hakka migrants from Jiaying and looked forward to the publication of the research outcome.

The sharing session ended with a luncheon that served well-known Hakka dishes.