Chinese in Malaysia

Five Common Chinese Subgroups made up from Chinese community in Malaysia

1. Hokkien, the largest Chinese subgroup in Malaysia

WHERE THEY CAME FROM: The Hokkiens originated from the southern Fujian (or Min) province in China, particularly the cities of Quanzhou, Amoy (known as Xiamen today), and Zhangzhou.

WHERE THEY FIRST SETTLED IN: The Zhangzhou Hokkiens went to the northern parts of the peninsula, particularly in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. On the other hand, Quanzhou Hokkiens settled in the south - Melaka and Johor - and some larger towns in Sarawak.

PAST MAIN OCCUPATIONS: Besides dominating the job market in rubber plantations, the Hokkiens were also pioneers in the trading sectors. Most Chinese traders and merchants in the import-export industry as well as wholesale dealers and grocers are of Hokkien descent, hence why the dialect also became the lingua franca  of trade in the states they settled in.

IN PRESENT DAY MALAYSIA: The Hokkien dialect is still the most spoken dialect among the Chinese community, although it is no longer in its pure form.

2.Cantonese, the second largest Chinese subgroup in Malaysia

WHERE THEY CAME FROM: The Cantonese originated from the Guangdong Province in China, particularly from Guangzhou, and Guangxi. The word "Cantonese" is actually romanised; they are typically referred to as "gwong dung yan" in their dialect or "guang dong ren" in Mandarin.

WHERE THEY FIRST SETTLED IN: The Cantonese were attracted to the booming tin industry, hence setting up communities in developing towns like Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh in Perak, Seremban (formerly known as Sungai Ujong) in Negeri Sembilan, and Sandakan in Sabah.

PAST MAIN OCCUPATIONS: Most Cantonese settlers worked the tin mines and had a hand in the rapid development of their early settlements into principal towns.

IN PRESENT DAY MALAYSIA: The Cantonese are the most urbanised of the Chinese community, with approximately 80% living in principal towns such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and Ipoh.

3. Hakka, the third largest Chinese dialect group in Malaysia

WHERE THEY CAME FROM: Originally from northern China, the Hakkas migrated to the southeastern provinces of China such as Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, and Hainan before coming to Malaysia.

WHERE THEY FIRST SETTLED IN: Early Hakka settlers flocked to the gold and tin mines in Selangor, Perak (particularly Taiping and Ipoh), Negeri Sembilan, as well as Sabah and Sarawak. Later on, as the mining industry went into an economic decline, they turned to rubber plantations in Kedah and Johor (particularly Kulai and Kluang).

PAST MAIN OCCUPATIONS: The Hakka people worked as gold-miners and tin-miners, while those who settled in Sabah turned to agriculture and became cash crop farmers (farmers growing produce to be sold for profit). Some also became owners of Chinese medicine shops and tailors.

IN PRESENT MALAYSIA: While the Hakka dialect is facing a decline among the younger generations, it is still widely spoken in Sabah, where most of the Chinese community are of Hakka descent. The dialect is also spoken in less urban areas in Kedah, Perak, Pahang, and Negeri Sembilan.

4. Teochew

WHERE THEY CAME FROM: The Teochew people came from the Chaoshan region in east Guangdong, particularly from the city of Shantou.

WHERE THEY FIRST SETTLED IN: They have already begun migrating to the Malay Peninsula since the 18th century, settling in Province Wellesley (now known as Seberang Perai) in Penang and around Kuala Muda in Kedah. Later in the 19th century, Teochews arrived in Johor, establishing new towns populated by plantation workers.

PAST MAIN OCCUPATIONS: The Teochew people have been chiefly credited for setting up pepper and gambier (a plant used as a tanning or dyeing agent, food additives, and herbal medicine) plantations in Malaysia, although those who settled in Kedah and north Perak also worked as fishermen.

IN PRESENT DAY MALAYSIA: Teochews make up a substantial part of Chinese communities in Johor Bahru and some principal towns along the coast of Western Johor such as Pontian, Muar, and Batu Pahat. Teochew communities are also found in Kedah, north Perak, as well as select hinterlands in Melaka and Selangor, particularly in Sabak Bernam.

5.Hokchiu and Hokchia, collectively known as Foochow in honour of their shared dialect, which is said to sound like Korean or Japanese

WHERE THEY CAME FROM: The Hokchiu people originated from the city Fuzhou in Fujian province, hence why they are commonly known as Foochow people (romanised from Fuzhou). The Hokchia people, on the other hand, came from Fuqing, a county within Fuzhou.

WHERE THEY FIRST SETTLED IN: The Foochow were considered latecomers to Malaya, only emigrating here in the early 20th century. The first Foochow immigrants set up settlements in Sitiawan, Perak and Sibu, Sarawak.

PAST MAIN OCCUPATIONS: While most worked as fishermen in their homeland, the Foochows were brought here to grow rice and later, to establish rubber plantations in their respective settlements.

IN PRESENT DAY MALAYSIA: The Chinese community in Sarawak are predominantly descended from the Foochows, specifically in areas around the Rajang River and Sibu. In the peninsula, they also maintain a presence in Sitiawan in Perak, Yong Peng in Johor, and Sepang in Selangor.