Jalan Tye Kee Yoon, George Town, Penang

Jalan Tye Kee Yoon, George Town, Penang (15 April 2023)


Jalan Tye Kee Yoon, or formerly Tye Kee Yoon Road, is a minor road in George Town, Penang. Today it is a no-through road that connects on one end to Brick Kiln Road.

Jalan Tye Kee Yoon was named after an imminent personality in 19th century Penang. Tye Kee Yoon (1849-1919) had arrived in Penang penniless, and had to work as a coolie. However, through sheer determination, he became one of the largest property owners in 19th century George Town. His businesses also included opium, spirits, pawn shops and medicine shops.

As with many Chinese who made it big, Tye Kee Yoon contributed generously to Penang society, including giving large sums for the setting up of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Penang Adventist Hospital, Kek Lok Si Temple, the Penang Free School and Chung Hwa Confucian School.

Tye Kee Yoon bought up Goh Chan Lau, the mansion built by Cheah Tek Soon from Cheah's son-in-law Goh Say Eng, when the latter needed to raise funds for Dr Sun Yat Sen's revolutionary movement. Together with another early 20th century Chinese tycoon, Leong Fee, Tye Kee Yoon founded the Shih Chung School, which was located within Goh Chan Lau.

Tye Kee Yoon became the Fourth Chinese Vice-Consul of Penang in 1907-12 and Acting Consul-General of Singapore in 1911-12.

Map of Jalan Tye Kee Yoon, Penang

Getting there

From the Komtar Bus Terminal, walk along Tek Soon Street until the junction of Penang Road. Turn left, walk along Penang Road until the five-pointed junction (originally six-pointed) at Magazine Circus (the roundabout itself is no longer extant). Walk along Brick Kiln Road until you arrive at Jalan Tye Kee Yoon on your right.

Jalan Tye Kee Yoon roadsign (15 April 2023)


Tye Kee Yoon Road, as viewed in the direction of Penang Times Square (2 December 2008)


Tye Kee Yoon Road, George Town, Penang (3 February 2013)


Old Jalan Tye Kee Yoon road sign (2 December 2008)

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia