Yong Peng, Johor

About Yong Peng

Yong Peng is a town in Johor. It is located within the Batu Pahat District. The name Yong Peng means Everlasting Peace in the Teochew dialect. It was founded by Boo Koh Lak Loo, a Chinese Teochew settler from Chaozhou in present-day Guangdong Province, China.

Present-day Yong Peng is located by the banks of Sungai Bedok, near its confluence with Sungai Sedi. The North-South Expressway is located to the south of town.

Getting there

Exit the North-South Expressway at Exit 241, Yong Peng Interchange to reach the town.

History of Yong Peng

Yong Peng was established following the decision of the Sultan of Johor to modernise the state. This took place in the 1870's when neighbouring states were prospering from tin mining. Lacking in rich tin deposits, Johor turned to agriculture, focusing on the planting of pepper and gambier. As mentioned, the township was established by Boo Koh Lak Loo, who arrived there with a small group of Teochew settlers and proceeded to clear the forest for plantation crops. After that, Chinese labourers were brought in from Southern China. Many were indenture labourers who paid for their passage by offering labour services in return. For the majority, this form of contract bounded the labourers in perpectual poverty.

A system of administration called Kangchu, which means "river master", was employed to manage Yong Peng. The headman is the "lord of the river", as he is in charged of the traffic passing through the river around which the settlement developed. The headman holds the permit, called Surat Sungai, issued by the Malay official of Temenggong Abu Bakar, allowing him to develop the riverside settlement. This form of administration, most prevalent among the Teochew community, was first introduced to the peninsula in mainland Penang, and was later introduced to Johor as Teochew labourers settled there.

Yong Peng Cuisine

Yong Peng is renowned for its Hock Chew (or Fuzhou) cuisine. Among the dishes popular in Yong Peng are listed below:

Hock Chew Chow Mien These are handmade noodles that are boiled and then stir fried
Hock Chew fish ball Fish balls made with grounded pork over a fish-based cover
Hock Chew bread Round yeast bread available either plain, with sesame seeds, or salted

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