KUCHING, Jan 28, 2026 — Sarawak’s rich and often overlooked Chinese leadership history received renewed attention today when author Dr Hing-Yan Lee presented an autographed copy of his latest book, Kangchus & Kapitans – Chinese Leadership in Early Sarawak, to Sarawak Deputy Premier YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian. The brief but meaningful ceremony was held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia and attended by several invited guests.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, wrote the foreword for the book. In his remarks, he described the publication as both a tribute to the early Chinese pioneers and a reminder of the values they stood for. He said the stories documented in the book highlight service, integrity and unity, values that continue to guide Sarawak’s development today.
According to Dr Sim, Kangchus & Kapitans is an important cultural and historical record for Sarawak. He praised Dr Lee for his commitment to documenting the past and noted that this is the author’s third published book. He added that Dr Lee’s writings reflect a lifelong effort to trace the journeys of overseas Chinese pioneers and preserve their contributions for future generations. Dr Sim also encouraged more Sarawakians to take part in writing and publishing works that record the state’s diverse history, saying such efforts are vital to strengthening shared understanding and identity.
Dr Hing-Yan Lee expressed his sincere appreciation to Dr Sim for agreeing to write the foreword and for his continued support of historical and cultural documentation. He said the book was written to ensure that the leadership roles of early Chinese settlers are properly recognised within Sarawak’s broader historical narrative.
The book focuses on two key forms of leadership in early Sarawak. The Kangchus were river chiefs who opened new settlements along major waterways, while the Kapitans were respected community leaders who represented Chinese interests and acted as intermediaries between their communities and the authorities of the time. Through detailed research, Dr Lee traces figures such as Chan Kho, Law Kian Huat, Ong Ewe Hai, Wong Nai Siong and several Kapitan China leaders who played important roles in shaping Sarawak’s economy, towns and civic institutions.
Beyond individual biographies, the book explains how these leaders helped develop agriculture and trade, established schools and temples, mediated disputes and served on councils during challenging periods, including colonial rule and wartime occupation. Their efforts laid strong foundations for modern Sarawak’s social and economic life.
Dr Hing-Yan Lee was born in Kuching and received his early education at St Joseph’s School. He holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a First Class Honours degree in Computing Science, and a Master’s degree in Management Science from Imperial College London. After more than three decades in Singapore’s public sector, he later served in senior regional and government affairs roles and remains active in academia and professional bodies.
In concluding, Dr Sim said books like Kangchus & Kapitans help Sarawakians better understand where they came from and why unity across communities remains essential. He expressed hope that the publication will inspire more research and writing on Sarawak’s shared past.
