The Ngee Ann Kongsi was founded in 1845 to promote the religious and welfare needs of Teochew immigrants in Singapore. It has since evolved to become one of the leading foundations in Singapore, and has made many significant contributions to various educational, cultural and welfare activities. Its landmark buildings and outstanding educational institutions have also positively impacted the lives of many Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion, language or social status.
The Kongsi was established by a group of well-known Teochews, originating from the Ngee Ann county in Guangdong, China, under Mr. Seah Eu Chin. Initially, the Kongsi focused on the religious needs as well as funeral rites of Teochew immigrants. Over the years, the foundation’s focus turned to the needs of the young, particularly in education. The Kongsi uses returns gained from its flagship building, Ngee Ann City, to fund its contributions to society.
In 1927, a group of kinsmen, including businessman Mr. Lim Nee Soon, expressed unhappiness with the dominance of the Seah family. A Board of Directors was thus formed in that year to take over the management of the Ngee Ann Kongsi. Title deeds of the Kongsi’s properties were also brought under the management of the Board of Directors. Following the Ngee Ann Kongsi Ordinance that was laid down in 1933, a much higher level of transparency has since been achieved in the management of the foundation.
The events of 1927 also led to the establishment of the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan in 1928, with the support of the Teochew community. Since 1934, the Ngee Ann Kongsi has provided funding for the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan. The Singapore Kwangtung Huay Kuan was also founded by the Kongsi in 1936.
Today, the foundation remains governed by the Ngee Ann Kongsi Ordinance (1933). The Ordinance had most recently been amended in Parliament in 2007, so as to keep it up-to-date. The Kongsi’s contributions to the community continue to cover a broad range of areas, namely:
• Education – The Kongsi provides for education at the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels, through direct funding of the schools, education funds, as well as scholarships given to outstanding students. Schools that were set up by the Kongsi, bear the Ngee Ann name, and which have benefitted from the Kongsi’s contributions include Ngee Ann Primary School, Ngee Ann Secondary School, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre (a joint venture between Ngee Ann Education Holdings Pte Ltd and the University of Adelaide, with an aim to equipping Singaporeans with modern business skills to venture into new markets and broker deals).
• Property – Income generated from the Kongsi’s property rental and development projects provide the funding required for the foundation to provide sustainable educational and cultural contributions. These properties include Ngee Ann City & Civic Plaza, a plot of land called Tai Shan Ting, which is bounded by Orchard, Paterson and Grange roads, shophouses on Balestier Road and residential bungalows on Grange Road.
• Culture and Heritage – The Kongsi is active in promoting awareness of Chinese culture, especially with regards to the Teochew heritage. The Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, located in the Teochew Building, was set up in 1998, and since then, has organised and supported various activities including visual and performing arts, as well as exhibitions and religious talks and initiations. The Annual Teochew Artists Art and Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition is one of the main events supported by the Kongsi.
• Chinese Medicine – The Kongsi also aims to provide high-level TCM care for Singaporeans through its Ngee Ann Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre. The Centre collaborates with some of the most established TCM institutions and hospitals from China, which send their top experts to Singapore to man the Ngee Ann TCM Centre.These institutions include the Shanghai Longhua Hospital, Chine Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine University, and the Guang An Men Hospital.
• Community Services – The Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple (oldest Teochew temple in Singapore), Teochew Funeral Parlour, and Teochew Memorial Park continue the Kongsi’s original objectives of promoting the religious and welfare needs of Teochews in Singapore.
• Welfare for Senior Citizens – In catering to the needs of the Teochew community, the Kongsi also provides monthly financial support to eligible Teochew senior citizens. The Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple has also been gazetted as a National Monument, following its restoration in 1997. |
