Women Allowed: Yeoh Kongsi Takes A Leap

MY AUNT’S URGENT tone broke the funeral gloom.

“Have you signed up to be a member of the Yeoh Kongsi? They are now admitting women.” I gave her a puzzled look while she busied herself on her mobile phone.
“I have sent you the registration form via WhatsApp. Did you receive it? Do you know this is the first time a clan house is allowing women to be members? We Yeoh ladies, we must join!” she berated.

I nodded in compliance. As if noticing my non-committal expression, she looked at me sternly and said, “Fill it up and send it to Seng Hooi, your cousin. He is the Honorary Secretary of Yeoh Kongsi. This is not just the Yeoh Kongsi where any Yeoh can join, this is specifically for the Yeohs from the same village—from Har Yang.” I gave her a more convincing reply and she relented.

I shared this piece of news with my colleagues who had worked with Penang clan houses, and their excitement matched my aunt’s intensity. They threw around
words like “this is never done”, “revolutionary” and “not really a custom”. I knew I needed to secure an interview with a Yeoh Kongsi trustee.

A LONG TIME COMING
The idea of recruiting women as clan people was pushed out approximately 15 years ago by a generation of older trustees. Unfortunately, many were not in favour of it. It was brought up again two years ago but was rejected, again. However, during the February 2025 board meeting, now with young blood and eager hearts, many gave their approval—a conditional approval, as the final approval had to come from the patron saint.[1]

“Immediately after we gave our approval at the boardroom, located at the ground level of Yeoh Kongsi, we went upstairs to do the bwa bwei (throwing of divination blocks),” Seng Hooi relayed. “We asked for permission three times—and we got three yeses! Of course, nobody could object. There were some older members
who were not too keen, but after that ‘divine clearance’, everyone had peace of
mind.”