The Origins Of PCCCI
Ipoh was established in 1880 in the Kinta Valley, which is world-renowned for its rich tin deposits.
At that time, with the discovery of abundant tin deposits in the Ipoh area, miners flocked to the region, leading to rapid development. The Chinese immigrant population grew steadily, actively engaging in commerce, agriculture, and mining.This laid the economic foundation, and due to the needs of the time, miners such as Mr. Foo Choo Choon and Mr. Yau Tet Shin led the effort to establish the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1907.
On 2 July 1921, the Chamber, together with Chinese chambers of commerce from Singapore, Penang, Melaka, Selangor, and Seremban, established the Federation of Chinese Chambers of Commerce in British Malaya. At that time, the federation was organized to unite Chinese businessmen, safeguard the commercial interests of the Chinese community, and address issues related to plantations, mining, property, and workers’ welfare. By presenting collective petitions to the local authorities, the federation achieved significant results.
Before the Second World War, PCCCI hosted five sessions of the Federation of Chinese Chambers of Commerce in Ipoh: the 3rd (1922), 7th (1924), 12th (1928), 17th (1932), and 18th (1939) sessions. After the war, it also hosted four sessions of the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Malaysian Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry: the 24th (1970), 33rd (1979), 49th (1995), and 57th (2003) sessions.
From 1941 to 1945, during the Japanese occupation of Malaya for three years and eight months, all records and documents of the Chamber’s affairs were lost. In 1946, Senior Dato’ Dato' Lau Pak Kuan and Mr. Cheong Choo were appointed President and Vice President, respectively, leading the Chamber in the restoration of its normal activities.
After the inauguration of the 34th Board of Directors in 1965, the first board meeting was held. The President, Senior Dato' Lau Pak Kuan, proposed that as the Chamber is the highest governing body of the business community, and to keep pace with the times while planning for the Chamber’s long-term growth, the clubhouse should be demolished and rebuilt as a 10-storey building. Following the building regulations of the Ipoh City Council, it was later revised to a 4-storey building. The proposal to rebuild the clubhouse was unanimously approved, and a Committee for the Reconstruction of the New Clubhouse was established. The members of the Committee are as follows:
| Chairman ： | Dato’ Sri Lau Pak Khuan SPMP JP |
| Vice-Chairman | Dato’ Peh Seng Koon DPMP JP |
| Treasurer cum Building Fund Director任 | Dato’ Chong Kok Lim DPMP |
| Auditor数 | Mr. Cheng Ming Wei |
| Building Fund Deputy Director任 | Mr. Chan Toon Fah |
| ReconstructionWorking | Mr. Yap Yin Fah Mr. Yeoh Kim Tian, Mr. Loh Mee Loo, Mr. Too Joon Ting, Mr. Woo Ka Lim |
On the 7th of June, 1968, the old building was demolished, and the reconstruction project was carried out at top speed. Under the good influence of Dato Sri Lau and other community leaders, donations kept pouring in. On the 6th of June, 1970, His Royal Highness Perak Sultan came to officiate the Inauguration Ceremony. President Dato Sri Lau was invited to perform the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
Our Association is named as “Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce” since its inception in 1907 until the year 1999.Perak Chinese Chamber Of Commerce And IndustryBut, the Chinese business community has gradually diversified their business, not only engaged in agriculture and mining industries, but also, invested in other commerce and industries. Therefore,Perak Chinese Chamber Of Commerce And Industryits name needs to be changed as the “Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry”and was officially approved by the Registrar of Society on 9th February,2000.” 。
The ACCCIM 3rd Extraordinary General Meeting for the 63rd Term was held on 25-5-2010. It was resolved that the Chinese Name of ACCCIM be amended.
Therefore, the Chinese name of the PCCCI was amended from the current “霹雳中华工商总会” to “霹雳中华总商会”. The English and Bahasa Malaysia name of the PCCCI will remain unchanged. The said amendment was passed unanimously at the PCCCI 56th AGM on 20th June 2010.
First Three Presidents (Pre-War Period)
Post-War Presidents and Their Terms of Office
