Teochew Poit IP Huay Kuan - Reaching Out and Moving Ahead

Reaching Out and Moving Ahead

In light of the decline and challenges faced by the Chinese clan associations, it is imperative for Chinese clans to adopt steps to ensure their survival. The emphasis for change and adaptation are highlighted by top Singapore government officials. BG Lee Hsien Loong said "whether the clans are able to remain vibrant and relevant to the new generation, rejuvenate themselves and attract younger members will depend to a large extent, on how successfully they adapt their role to changing social conditions."

In order to strive for change, Tan Koh Tiang admits while the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan had served its traditional purpose in the past, it is looking towards a focus on promoting Teochew culture, tradition and values today. The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan which presently engages actively in a wide range of cultural activities such as workshop on Chinese dance, Chinese martial arts, Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy competitions and Chinese essay-writing competition. In 1983, it formed a cultural and education section and set up an education and cultural centre in the Teochew Building and in 1985 the cultural and education section was enlarged to become a cultural committee, responsible for promoting educational, cultural and recreational activities.

Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan continues to promote links with the Teochew hometown (Chaoshan) in China as a means to promote Teochew tradition and culture. Speaking at the 12th Teochew International Convention, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong concurs with such activities and also suggested that clans could help youths discover their cultural route in order to counter the weakening sense of heritage and tradition among the young.

The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan also reflected a sense of adaptability with changing times through its ability to accept and harness on technology. In 1987, it established a computer centre and was the first clan association to conduct computer courses. In 1998 it set up the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan website to reach out to the Internet population. It also keeps in touch and notifies its members through the use of email and the press. These outreach through email, press and websites are largely carried out in Mandarin.

By riding on the technological advancement and promoting Teochew culture, Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan hopes to reach out to youths to ensure a succession of future leadership. The need for incoming young blood in the Chinese clans is of utmost importance. As DPM Lee Hsien Loong has mentioned, “clan associations have to induct fresh blood into their leadership ranks and pass on the reins of leadership to the next generation in a smooth, progressive manner…then the clan association will remain dynamic and vibrant and will not become obsolete in modern Singapore”. The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan provides scholarship to both local Teochews and Teochew students from China. It hopes that these scholarship recipients will promote the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and encourage more youths to join the clan association. In early 2008, the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan also established the Young Teochew Group and aims to hit a 100 strong membership ; currently as of April 2008, its membership strength stands at 30 people. Tan Koh Tiang said that it was mainly the China Teochew youths who responded to the scholarship provision and joined Young Teochew Group.

As the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan moves ahead, they make conscious efforts to collaborate with other local and overseas clan associations. Such collaboration fosters relationship between clans, provides opportunity for clans to learn from each other, tackle common clan issues and boost survivability. As addressed by then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the SFCCA 15th anniversary dinner, “clan associations should therefore look beyond themselves and work or even merge with one another in order to consolidate leadership and organizational resources”. The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan, participates in previous Teochew International Conventions and also hosted the 4th and 12th convention in 1987 and 2003 respectively. Such conventions allow clans to build ties and link up with each other for future clan developments and activities. The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan also attended anniversary celebrations of its counterparts in various states of Malaysia, as well as the anniversary of celebration activities held by the Federated Teochew Association of Malaya. It has received officials, delegations and opera troupes from Chaozhou and Shantou region and the Southeast Asian study tour delegation of the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce. It has also organised tours to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and the eight districts in Chaozhou and Shantou region to broaden members’ general knowledge about Teochew culture and strengthen clan ties.