GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has ordered an investigation into the alleged desecration of an ancestral tomb containing the remains of Foo Teng Nyong, reportedly the third wife of Kapitan China and apparent founder of Taiping, Chung Keng Quee.
Pictures of the tomb being dug up were tweeted by historical researcher Jeffrey Seow – which have since gone viral – attracting the attention of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Ang Ming Chee, who was photographed at the scene following the incident.
The tomb is located off Jalan Bunga Telang in Fettes Park, within the vicinity of Mount Erskine, which is home to thousands of ancient grave sites.
In a statement following the incident, state Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage exco Yeoh Soon Hin said there was a permit to exhume a corpse which was issued by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on March 18 as well as an official letter on the extension of the permit issued on July 26.
“The state has clearly stated it only allowed (the relevant party) to exhume the remains from burial grounds, but not to destroy the ancestral tomb of Foo Teng Nyong, the third wife of Kapitan Cina Chung,” said Yeoh.
“Foo’s tomb is a historical monument.
“The fact that the tomb was destroyed without approval; this mistake is unacceptable.
“Hence, all parties involved must be investigated. I have assigned a team that includes GTWHI to the gravesite, and MBPP will also issue a stop work order against the site.”
The developer involved in the clearing of the tomb could not be reached for comment.
The 138-year-old grave of Foo Teng Nyong, wife of Capitan Chung Keng Quee, mother of Capitan Chung Thye Phin and paternal aunt of Foo Choo Choon, is gone. Pic of the rubble being cleared away this morning. pic.twitter.com/vHuUcjkmH7
— Jeffery Seow ?? ☮️ #StandWithUkraine ?? (@jefferyseow) August 29, 2022
However, on social media groups, there was an outcry that despite attempts to both preserve and protect the tomb, the unthinkable had happened.
Earlier, Seow also ran a campaign on change.org seeking public support to protect the site.
His historical anecdote on who Foo was reads like this.
“This is a massive, one-of-a-kind (probably unique in all of Southeast Asia) 138-year-old grave of Foo Teng Nyong (Hú Dīng Niáng), whose posthumous name (shì hào), was Zhou Zhi Zhen Cao (Zuǒ Zhì Zhēn Cāo), suggesting that she was a faithful wife who helped manage things for her husband.
“Hers was the third marriage of the Kapitan China of Perak, Chung Keng Quee (Zhèng Jǐngguì) – they were married in 1873.
“According to the inscription on the headstone, Foo Teng Nyong was born in 1849 and died in 1883.
“The tomb was completed a year later in 1884. This was around the time of the Franco-Annam War or Sino-French War when Chung gave generously to China to provide relief and support their efforts.
“She was the mother of Chung Siew Yin (Zhèng Xiùyīng); born 1874, the philanthropist wife of Lam Kam Thong whose home in Lebuh Light was subsequently occupied by establishments like the Straits Times Press and the legal firm of justice Chang Min Tat and N.T. Vello (i.e. Chang & Vello, Advocates and Solicitors).
“Her sons were Capitan Chung Thye Phin (Zhèng Dàpíng; born 1879) and Chung Thye Chong (Zhèng Dàchāng; born 1883).
“She was the aunt of Foo Choo Choon (Hú Zichūn) who secured his employment with her husband (circa 1878), leading to Foo Choo Choon becoming later on the ‘Tin King of Malaya’.
“Even without its connection to the historical personalities already mentioned, the shape, form and structure of the grave merits its preservation for the benefit of generations to come.
“It is unclear how, if at all, the grave and the land that it is a part of ever left the hands of the family, and steps are being taken to ascertain this, as difficult as it may be.
“What is important is to ensure that this structure is protected, in the interim, from the fate suffered by other historical sites in the past. Once broken, it can never be put back together again. Please act fast before the tomb is suddenly destroyed without warning.”
Both Ang and the council have been contacted, but they have yet to reply to queries on the issue. – The Vibes, August 29, 2022
