Simon Soon
Hock Teik Cheng Sin 福德正神 temple can trace its roots back to 30 December 1844, with the founding of the Khean Teik Tong 健德堂 by the Hokkien community in the coconut plantation of Khoo Kiok in Jelutong. The establishment if Khean Teik also signal the breakdown of Cantonese and Hokkien alliance against the Hai San. The Khean Teik would switch side and form a new allegiance with the Hai San, allowing the Khean Teik to control Penang, while the Hai San control members in the mining settlements in the Malay States.
There was an earlier organisation called Chin Chin society that the Hokkiens set up in 1824. It is assumed that it later merged with the Kien Teik.
Khean Teik Tong is more well known by the name Toh Peh Kong Society, in reference to the adoption of Toa Pek Kong as the organisation's tutelary deity.
Unlike the Ghee Hin, the Toh Peh Kong was principally a Penang organisation, dominated by Hokkien and Baba-Chinese, merchants and shopkeepers of Beach Street, led by the Khoos. They also include manufacturers and sellers of firearms. Nevertheless, the predominantly Hakka-led Hai-San's interest was also represented through this organisation in Penang. Outside of Penang, Toh Peh Kong's economic investment was therefore closely networked with that of the Hai San's.
Hock Teik Cheng Sin moved to its present site in 1850. It occupies a lot granted to its leader, Khoo Teeau Pang. The temple and its surrounding buildings are believed to have been constructed between 1850 and 1867. The grounds also served as the headquarters of the Toh Peh Kong Society. From 1854 onwards, the society was led by Khoo Thean Teik.
It has a membership of 5-6k, with most members residing on Penang island itself.
'The instructions of the Society: 'The members declared themselves brothers of the same father and mother, sharing in the troubles and in the comforts of one another, the strong to protect the weak, to help the needy, to raise those who faIl, to admonish one another.'
Notes:
Penang Riots Report. 1867. Commissioners under the Penang Riots Enquiry Act of 1867 stting in the Office of the Public Works Department, George Town, Penang.
Neil Khor. 2006. 'Economic Changes and the Emergence of the Straits Chinese in Nineteenth Century Penang' Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 79:2, 59-83.
