Lim Leng Cheak's Bungalow on Mount Erskine

656 Jalan Evergreen 5, Mount Erskine, Penang (9 February 2014)


Lim Leng Cheak's Bungalow (GPS: 5.4492, 100.29923) at 656 Jalan Evergreen 5 is a double-storey detached house in Mount Erskine, Penang. It belonged to the 19th century historical personality Lim Leng Cheak (1850-1901; 林寧綽, Pinyin: Lín Níngchuò; Penang Hokkien: Lim3 Leng3 Cheak1).

This mansion on Mount Erskine is just one of many properties belonging to Lim Leng Cheak. It was built in the late 19th century. The front façade, above the porch, features three moulded openings. These are fixed with full-length windows with jalousies and panels. On either side are a single full-length window.

Lim Leng Cheak was born in Penang in 1850 to Hokkien immigrant father Lim It Kim (林乙金; Pinyin: Lín Yǐjīn, Penang Hokkien: Lim3 It3 Kim1)¹ who hailed from Zhangzhou in present-day Fujian Province. He established himself as a revenue farmer with holdings in both Penang and Kedah, and had close relationship with the then Sultan of Kedah, as well as in Perak, Singapore and other places. In return for being on the ruler's beck and call, Lim Leng Cheak was in 1888 awarded a monopoly on the rice milling in Kedah for a 20-year period.

Khie Heng Bee, the first rice mill in Penang is said to have been established by a joint venture between Phuah Hin Leong, Lim Leng cheak and Chuah Yu Kay.³

Lim Leng Cheak had seven wives stationed in various cities in the region. His eldest daughter, Lim Kwee Sean, married another imminent 19th century industrialist, Goh Boon Keng⁴. His third daughter Lim Kwee Guan was married to Cheah Tat Jin², a director of the Eastern Smelting and Tongkah Harbour Tin Dredging, and second son of Cheah Chen Eok, who built the Queen Victoria Memorial Clocktower.

Lim Leng Cheak Bungalow (25 February 2018)

Updates

27 June, 2014: 656 Jalan Evergreen 5 has come into the news because it may be demolished, and many are attempting to save it.

Getting there

From Mount Erskine Road, turn in to Jalan Evergreen 4. Go all the way on Jalan Evergreen 4 until it meets Jalan Evergreen 5. Turn right and go along Jalan Evergreen 5 until you see 656 Jalan Evergreen 5 on your right.

656 Jalan Evergreen 5 is on the Map of Mount Erskine

Reference

Bibliography