Koh Leng Association – Koh Leng Association

Welcome to koh Leng Association

The British’s establishment of Singapore as a trading post in 1819 and their subsequent economic development of Singapore and Malaya resulted in increased economic activities and high demand for manual labor. This was great opportunity for many Chinese living in the chaotic world of Qing China.

Many Chinese went overseas in search of work to support their families. A popular destination was Nanyang or today’s South East Asia. Among these migrants were people from Koh Leng Tao (古甯头), Kinmen, an island between Fujian in China and Taiwan.

The people of Koh Leng was generally believed to have arrived in Singapore as early as 1850, a few decades after Raffles’ arrival. As fellow migrants separated from their families in China, the people from Koh Leng, like other Chinese dialect groups, formed a closely knitted community to offer mutual support. This informal network and organization was later formalised as Koh Leng Clan Association.

Our History

The British’s establishment of Singapore as a trading post in 1819 and their subsequent economic development of Singapore and Malaya resulted in increased economic activities and high demand for manual labor. This was a great opportunity for Chinese living in the chaotic world of Qing China to look opportunities here.

Our Mission

During the colonial period, the Koh Leng Clan Association served fellow clansmen who were either working in Singapore or in transit to work in the region. The clan association functions as a self-help organization serving fellow clansmen.

Our Heritage

During the Ming Dynasty, 應祥公 landed in 古寗 to escape from the chaotic times in the mainland. Here, he planted roots by marrying a local lady 张氏 and his descendants grow in large numbers. They take up residences in 南山 , 北山 and 林厝 . From the three villages,..the clan spread to South-East Asia and now to other parts of the world in these modern times.