Memorial of Kapitan Yap Ah Loy

Memorial of Kapitan Yap Ah Loy located at Kwong Tong Cemetery Kuala Lumpur.

Summary biography of Kapitan Yap Ah Loy

1837-1854

Yap Ah Loy  was born on March 14, 1837 in Hui Yap District, Guang Dong, Province of China. In 1854, at age of 17, he had to leave his native land to fight for a living overseas.

1854-1859

He arrived in Malacca and started his early story life in Durian Tunggal, Kesang and Lukut.

1859-1862

He moved to Sungai Ujong where he met Liu Ngin Kong. Yap Ah Loy later become the Deputy Security Officer to Kapitan Shin. In 1861, after the civil war ended he was appointed as the Kapitan of Sungai Ujong.

1862-1868

He went to Kuala Lumpur to assist Liu Ngin Kong There he later established his enterprising foundation in Kuala Lumpur.

1868-1871

In 1868, while he was the Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, the Malay Royal families of Selangor were having an intense war and conflict among themself. Besides, there was serious confrontation between Yap Ah Loy and Chang Chong's mining workers.

1871-1873

Yap Ah Loy decided to form alliance with Tengku Kudin to end the conflicts in the area. He played an important role in bringing the economic stability and also social developments on Selangor state during that period.

1873-1880

In 1873, Yap Ah Loy together with his alliance fought and won the war. When people returned to the state, he become the leader of Chinese Community and Kuala Lumpur was placed under his direct control. With hard work and good developments to Kuala Lumpur in his capacity as Kapitan. He died of illness on 15th April 1885.