Formation process of Chinese Community in Penang, 1786-1830

When Penang Was colonized by the British in 1786, it was transformed into a different place for cultivation and trade. The colonial administration needed various people from all levels, such as merchants, labourers or carpenters, so there were diverse migrants in Penang. Among the migrants, the Chinese community was one of the representative ethnic groups in Penang. Under the Kapitan system, the Chinese community was established by colonial policy which became another society for the Chinese migrants. In cultural perspective each Chinese migrant spoke a different dialect of Chinese due to their different regional backgrounds; therefore, Chinese migrants as a group formed a complex form of coexistence. Each Chinese migrant worked hard to get a living. In plantations, the Chinese planters employed labourers from their homeland, recruiting manpower by forming claim-obligation relationships. Based on income level, the Chinese migrants were stratified in the community. While certain groups were trusted by the colonial administration to manage several businesses, there were other minority groups who were vulnerable to the ethnic conflicts, gambling addiction, violence, maritime violence or epidemics. Despite several difficulties, the Chinese migrants had some welfare provision after establishing a Chinese poorhouse. Whereas certain Chinese groups disrupted public order by committing robberies, violence, murder and slave trade. The Chinese migrants concerned the colonial state repeatedly so the Penang government restricted arrivals of Chinese. In terms of religions and education, the Chinese migrants usually worshipped their ancestors or other gods, and some of them became Christians. The Christian missionaries and the colonial state opened schools for Chinese children so the Chinese parents did not have to send their children back to China anymore. The Chinese migrants were involved directly or indirectly in Penang’s various issues that affected their settlement and presented a variety of views about the Chinese society. This research explores how Chinese community had expanded over almost 40 years.