Singapore SS

[Guest blackknight]

The first secret societies

The secret societies which formed in Singapore can be traced to mid-18th century Fujian province in China, with the local offshoots adopting an organisational structure mirroring the parent organization. The Hongman (洪門), the first secret society to be established in Singapore, traced its origins to the Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui) in Fujian.[citation needed]

Policing secret societies

Despite their founding principles of mutual assistance and bonding, secret societies have, over time, come to conjure up impressions of violence and disorder. This association, perhaps exaggerated, has been encouraged by law enforcement officers since their formation in the colonial era. This perception was strengthened by several factors, including the inability of the colony's administration to control their activities, the branding of arrested society members as "criminal gangsters" by the media and an upsurge in violent crime in the 1960s sparked by a few society members. These factors came together during the same period in which the country was trying to gain a foothold fresh from having attained political independence it did not foresee.

Several important riots in Malayan history had prompted the colonial government to respond umambiguosly. These riots include the Penang Riots of 1867 (which involved the Ghee Hin) and the Post Office Riots of 1876. The Societies Ordinance of 1889 was introduced as an attempt at suppression.

'21 (Dhee It)(Peh)'

Ang Meng Tong 洪盟堂

Ang Meng Hui 洪盟会

Ghee Ang Eng 义洪英

Ang Yee Tong 洪义堂

Ang Soon Tong 洪顺堂

Tiong Yee Tong 忠义堂

Ang Mo Kow 614

Heng Kee 兴记

Ang Guat Hwei

Ang Tian San

Feng Huang Shan

Feng Qing Shan

Guat San Sia

Deet San Sia

Leng Heng Sia

Yee Chuan San

Yee Chuan Hai

Yee Hup Ho

Pak Hai Tong 北海堂

Tong Meng Gok

Gnoi Seek Kee

Hup Ho Tong

21 San[213]

21 Hai

21 Ang Hai

21 Re Yue Ban 日月班

21 Ba Gek Tong 龅牙堂

Sio Kun Tong(SalaGou) (369) (Chao)

West Coast Kuntong

Kallang, Airport Road (Airport Kia)

Tanglin Halt

Mei Ling Lor

Queenstown Chao

Tanjong Rhu

"Lak Ko"- 6th Avenue

"Chit Ko"- 7th Avenue

Taman Selasih

Rochor Bay - Goh Chor Bay

Teck Whye Lane (Some branches declare independence )

Yew Tee Chao

Clementi "Kim Bun Tai"

Toa Payoh Chao

Marsiling Chao

Hougang Kia

Jurong West

Sin Ming Lor

Hai Nam Sua

Marsiling KunTong

Sio Hoon Chao

Pasir Ris Chao

Panjang KunTong

Babi Chao

Pork KunTong

18 Zhup Puey (Siao)(Sio Yi Ho)

Siao Kim Tian

Ar Bak Kuay

Aljunied Cresent Siao

Toa Payoh Siao

Bugis Siao

Kranji Siao

3 Beh Lor

4 Beh Lor

7 Beh Lor

Rochor Siao

Bedok Siao

Depot Siao

Purmei Siao

Hougang Siao

Geylang Siao

Lorong ah soo Siao

Liew Lian Ka

Telok Blangah Cresent Siao

Tampines Siao

Tekka Siao

Hup Soon Heng

' 24 Ghee Hia Di(Dhee Xi)'

Ghee Hai Kim 义海金

Ghee Lian Hor 义龙虎

Ghee Leng Kiat 义龙杰

Ghee Sa Diu 义三舅 (139)

Patt Leong 八联

Sio Ang Kun(Tiong Bahru,Redhill)

Sio Lo Kuan (Jalan Deskar,Jalan Besar)

Kau Lak Kau (969)

Ghee Meng Tong 义盟堂

Ghee Hin Kongsi 义兴公司

Ghee Hock (Part of Ghee Hin Kongsi) 义福

'HK Traids'

14K

Wah Ching

Sun Yee On

'Kong Puey 08(Kong)'

Hai Lok San (108) 海陆山

Hai Lok You

Pek Kim Leng 白金龙

Pek Ka Long

Kim Leng Hor 金龙虎

Sio Leng Hor 小龙虎

Di Chet (27)

Go Hock San

Go Kong Go (505)

Sio Ang Leng

Leng Hor Shan

Sio Oh Leng

Pui Kong Pui(808)

Sio Pa Leng San

Sa Kong Sa (303)

'Independent gangs'

Sarajumbo (Indian Gang)

Veerasamy (Indian Gang)

Riyadi gang( Malay Gang)

Omega (Malay gang)

Woodlands 806 CoffeeShop (Mixed Gang)

Hougang 401 CoffeeShop (Mixed Gang)

[edit] Reasons for the decline

In the early 19th century, secret societies posed a significant threat to law and order in Singapore. The early Chinese immigrants' clandestine activities and occasional turf wars proved too much of a problem for the British authorities. The British authorities were therefore obliged to curb the growing problem. They employed a number of methods, both on purpose and not, to check the growth of secret societies. This resulted in the decline of secret societies.

[edit] Singapore becoming a Crown Colony

The transfer of authority over Singapore from the Indian Government to the colonial office in London is considered by most to be the most important factor that helped the British authority check the growth of secret societies. Elevation of Singapore to a crown Colony meant that London was willing to spend money and resources, and provide proper administrators that it was previously unprepared to do. Thus, Singapore was given a significantly larger priority and only with the transfer of power, could the authorities initiate the following changes.

[edit] Legislation of strict laws

The legislation of strict laws had an enormous effect in checking the growth of the secret societies. Two significant laws were passed in the 1860s.

The first was the Peace Preservation Act (also known as the banishment act) of 1867, which gave the colonial government the power to detain and deport Chinese immigrants who were convicted of crime. This was a major weapon against the secret societies members as it created fear and deterred the immigrants from joining the secret societies. With this law, the power of the secret societies was significantly curtailed.

In 1869, The Peace Preservation Act was amended, and the Dangerous Societies Suppression Ordinance was also enacted. This required that secret societies be registered. By requiring only the societies, and not the individual members, to be registered, the police attracted people to go to provide insight on the actual strength of the societies. 10 societies, 618 office bearers and 12371 members were registered in the first round of registrations. This Ordinace also accorded the colonial government the power to inspect any society that was deemed dangerous to public peace. This way the colonial government could monitor the activities of the secret societies closely. This prevented the Chinese immigrants from joining the secret societies, causing it to reduce in influence in Singapore in the 19th century.

[edit] Improvements to police force

In 1843, there were only 133 police personnel. Even if the army of 595 men was brought in, they were still no match for the Chinese Community consisting of 32132 people (most of whom were secret society members). Thomas Dunman, the first Commissioner of Police, wrote that his police force was underpaid and drew salaries lower than the average coolies. By 1865, there were 385 policemen to 50043 Chinese, but the ratio of policemen to Chinese was still too few to be effective. This was compounded by the fact that no one in the police force was qualified to deal with the Chinese. The officers' posts were held by Europeans while Indians made up the rank and file. No Chinese were employed because of their possible dealings with secret societies. Thus, the police force was ignorant of the language and ways of the Chinese, which was also the most volatile community. So ineffective was the police force that the wealthy had to hire private watchmen and carry personal arms to ensure their own safety.

However, after Singapore became a Crown Colony, large improvements made to the local police force. This was an important factor that helped check the growth of secret societies. The police force started to receive more funding, better equipment and proper training. All these made the police force a much more effective force than it previously was under the East India Company. Even more significant was the hiring of Chinese police officers who could understand and deal with the problems associated with the secret societies.

Establishment of Chinese Protectorate

The establishment of the Chinese Protectorate is yet another factor that led to the societies’ growth being checked. The first Chinese Protector, William Pickering maintained close contact with the Chinese immigrant community, and provided them with assistance. Being fluent in written and spoken Mandarin as well as in various Chinese dialect, Pickering looked after the welfare of the newly arrived coolies, prevented coolie abuse and kept track of the numbers of coolies leaving and arriving. Pickering also licensed coolie depots. To qualify for a license, the depots required a constant and plentiful supply of water and good ventiliation. He also visited the coolies to ask them in person what their connections in Singapore were, making sure they had someone to turn to during their stay.

This establishment of the Chinese Protectorate let the British sustain, for the first time in history, a satisfactory relationship with the Chinese community. Pickering was know affectionately to the Chinese as dairen (大人), Cantonese for 'great man'. The Protectorate effectively became a legitimate alternative where migrants could come and try solve their problems, instead of putting it forward to the societies for a normally violent conclusion. It thus helped to deter many new immigrants from increasing the membership of secret societies.

[Guest NewC180]

Got 1 more 'society' to add, damn poisonous one ---> SGMERC !

[keltanky]

NewC180 wrote:

Got 1 more 'society' to add, damn poisonous one ---> SGMERC !

:hand::becky::whistle:

[keltanky]

blackknight wrote:

The first secret societies

The secret societies which formed in Singapore can be traced to mid-18th century Fujian province in China, with the local offshoots adopting an organisational structure mirroring the parent organization. The Hongman (洪門), the first secret society to be established in Singapore, traced its origins to the Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui) in Fujian.[citation needed]

Policing secret societies

Despite their founding principles of mutual assistance and bonding, secret societies have, over time, come to conjure up impressions of violence and disorder. This association, perhaps exaggerated, has been encouraged by law enforcement officers since their formation in the colonial era. This perception was strengthened by several factors, including the inability of the colony's administration to control their activities, the branding of arrested society members as "criminal gangsters" by the media and an upsurge in violent crime in the 1960s sparked by a few society members. These factors came together during the same period in which the country was trying to gain a foothold fresh from having attained political independence it did not foresee.

Several important riots in Malayan history had prompted the colonial government to respond umambiguosly. These riots include the Penang Riots of 1867 (which involved the Ghee Hin) and the Post Office Riots of 1876. The Societies Ordinance of 1889 was introduced as an attempt at suppression.

'21 (Dhee It)(Peh)'

Ang Meng Tong 洪盟堂

Ang Meng Hui 洪盟会

Ghee Ang Eng 义洪英

Ang Yee Tong 洪义堂

Ang Soon Tong 洪顺堂

Tiong Yee Tong 忠义堂

Ang Mo Kow 614

Heng Kee 兴记

Ang Guat Hwei

Ang Tian San

Feng Huang Shan

Feng Qing Shan

Guat San Sia

Deet San Sia

Leng Heng Sia

Yee Chuan San

Yee Chuan Hai

Yee Hup Ho

Pak Hai Tong 北海堂

Tong Meng Gok

Gnoi Seek Kee

Hup Ho Tong

21 San[213]

21 Hai

21 Ang Hai

21 Re Yue Ban 日月班

21 Ba Gek Tong 龅牙堂

Sio Kun Tong(SalaGou) (369) (Chao)

West Coast Kuntong

Kallang, Airport Road (Airport Kia)

Tanglin Halt

Mei Ling Lor

Queenstown Chao

Tanjong Rhu

"Lak Ko"- 6th Avenue

"Chit Ko"- 7th Avenue

Taman Selasih

Rochor Bay - Goh Chor Bay

Teck Whye Lane (Some branches declare independence )

Yew Tee Chao

Clementi "Kim Bun Tai"

Toa Payoh Chao

Marsiling Chao

Hougang Kia

Jurong West

Sin Ming Lor

Hai Nam Sua

Marsiling KunTong

Sio Hoon Chao

Pasir Ris Chao

Panjang KunTong

Babi Chao

Pork KunTong

18 Zhup Puey (Siao)(Sio Yi Ho)

Siao Kim Tian

Ar Bak Kuay

Aljunied Cresent Siao

Toa Payoh Siao

Bugis Siao

Kranji Siao

3 Beh Lor

4 Beh Lor

7 Beh Lor

Rochor Siao

Bedok Siao

Depot Siao

Purmei Siao

Hougang Siao

Geylang Siao

Lorong ah soo Siao

Liew Lian Ka

Telok Blangah Cresent Siao

Tampines Siao

Tekka Siao

Hup Soon Heng

' 24 Ghee Hia Di(Dhee Xi)'

Ghee Hai Kim 义海金

Ghee Lian Hor 义龙虎

Ghee Leng Kiat 义龙杰

Ghee Sa Diu 义三舅 (139)

Patt Leong 八联

Sio Ang Kun(Tiong Bahru,Redhill)

Sio Lo Kuan (Jalan Deskar,Jalan Besar)

Kau Lak Kau (969)

Ghee Meng Tong 义盟堂

Ghee Hin Kongsi 义兴公司

Ghee Hock (Part of Ghee Hin Kongsi) 义福

'HK Traids'

14K

Wah Ching

Sun Yee On

'Kong Puey 08(Kong)'

Hai Lok San (108) 海陆山

Hai Lok You

Pek Kim Leng 白金龙

Pek Ka Long

Kim Leng Hor 金龙虎

Sio Leng Hor 小龙虎

Di Chet (27)

Go Hock San

Go Kong Go (505)

Sio Ang Leng

Leng Hor Shan

Sio Oh Leng

Pui Kong Pui(808)

Sio Pa Leng San

Sa Kong Sa (303)

'Independent gangs'

Sarajumbo (Indian Gang)

Veerasamy (Indian Gang)

Riyadi gang( Malay Gang)

Omega (Malay gang)

Woodlands 806 CoffeeShop (Mixed Gang)

Hougang 401 CoffeeShop (Mixed Gang)

[edit] Reasons for the decline

In the early 19th century, secret societies posed a significant threat to law and order in Singapore. The early Chinese immigrants' clandestine activities and occasional turf wars proved too much of a problem for the British authorities. The British authorities were therefore obliged to curb the growing problem. They employed a number of methods, both on purpose and not, to check the growth of secret societies. This resulted in the decline of secret societies.

[edit] Singapore becoming a Crown Colony

The transfer of authority over Singapore from the Indian Government to the colonial office in London is considered by most to be the most important factor that helped the British authority check the growth of secret societies. Elevation of Singapore to a crown Colony meant that London was willing to spend money and resources, and provide proper administrators that it was previously unprepared to do. Thus, Singapore was given a significantly larger priority and only with the transfer of power, could the authorities initiate the following changes.

[edit] Legislation of strict laws

The legislation of strict laws had an enormous effect in checking the growth of the secret societies. Two significant laws were passed in the 1860s.

The first was the Peace Preservation Act (also known as the banishment act) of 1867, which gave the colonial government the power to detain and deport Chinese immigrants who were convicted of crime. This was a major weapon against the secret societies members as it created fear and deterred the immigrants from joining the secret societies. With this law, the power of the secret societies was significantly curtailed.

In 1869, The Peace Preservation Act was amended, and the Dangerous Societies Suppression Ordinance was also enacted. This required that secret societies be registered. By requiring only the societies, and not the individual members, to be registered, the police attracted people to go to provide insight on the actual strength of the societies. 10 societies, 618 office bearers and 12371 members were registered in the first round of registrations. This Ordinace also accorded the colonial government the power to inspect any society that was deemed dangerous to public peace. This way the colonial government could monitor the activities of the secret societies closely. This prevented the Chinese immigrants from joining the secret societies, causing it to reduce in influence in Singapore in the 19th century.

[edit] Improvements to police force

In 1843, there were only 133 police personnel. Even if the army of 595 men was brought in, they were still no match for the Chinese Community consisting of 32132 people (most of whom were secret society members). Thomas Dunman, the first Commissioner of Police, wrote that his police force was underpaid and drew salaries lower than the average coolies. By 1865, there were 385 policemen to 50043 Chinese, but the ratio of policemen to Chinese was still too few to be effective. This was compounded by the fact that no one in the police force was qualified to deal with the Chinese. The officers' posts were held by Europeans while Indians made up the rank and file. No Chinese were employed because of their possible dealings with secret societies. Thus, the police force was ignorant of the language and ways of the Chinese, which was also the most volatile community. So ineffective was the police force that the wealthy had to hire private watchmen and carry personal arms to ensure their own safety.

However, after Singapore became a Crown Colony, large improvements made to the local police force. This was an important factor that helped check the growth of secret societies. The police force started to receive more funding, better equipment and proper training. All these made the police force a much more effective force than it previously was under the East India Company. Even more significant was the hiring of Chinese police officers who could understand and deal with the problems associated with the secret societies.

Establishment of Chinese Protectorate

The establishment of the Chinese Protectorate is yet another factor that led to the societies’ growth being checked. The first Chinese Protector, William Pickering maintained close contact with the Chinese immigrant community, and provided them with assistance. Being fluent in written and spoken Mandarin as well as in various Chinese dialect, Pickering looked after the welfare of the newly arrived coolies, prevented coolie abuse and kept track of the numbers of coolies leaving and arriving. Pickering also licensed coolie depots. To qualify for a license, the depots required a constant and plentiful supply of water and good ventiliation. He also visited the coolies to ask them in person what their connections in Singapore were, making sure they had someone to turn to during their stay.

This establishment of the Chinese Protectorate let the British sustain, for the first time in history, a satisfactory relationship with the Chinese community. Pickering was know affectionately to the Chinese as dairen (大人), Cantonese for 'great man'. The Protectorate effectively became a legitimate alternative where migrants could come and try solve their problems, instead of putting it forward to the societies for a normally violent conclusion. It thus helped to deter many new immigrants from increasing the membership of secret societies.

hmmmm wondering what about the Biggest and strongest in the past?-- "AH GONG"?? which was banished and they took over Amsterdam's underground till the Viets and Chinas came and kill them off...

[Guest lightning]

you need someone like him...

[Guest kepiting1sg]

keltanky wrote:

hmmmm wondering what about the Biggest and strongest in the past?-- "AH GONG"?? which was banished and they took over Amsterdam's underground till the Viets and Chinas came and kill them off...

U wanna meet them?....I got contacts!.....hehehe!:fish:

[Guest 9339]

keltanky wrote:

hmmmm wondering what about the Biggest and strongest in the past?-- "AH GONG"?? which was banished and they took over Amsterdam's underground till the Viets and Chinas came and kill them off...

These 'Ah Gong' are not the biggest and famous in sg in older days. It dont exist in sg.

They are set up by a group of 'ganster' who fled sg and asia back then and gang up there in Holland . The pioneer are from diff soceity so they named 'Ah Gong' to be fair to every one.