英殖民时期马新华商的社会服务和贡献

Social Services and Contributions of Chinese Merchants in Malaysia and Singapore during the British Colonial Period

廖文辉(LEW Bon Hoi)

《马来西亚人文与社会科学学报》 3卷1期 (2014/06) Pp. 31-51

https://doi.org/10.6962/MJHSS.201406_3(1).0003

摘要

马新是个移民社会，早期南来的先民多为目不识丁之辈，因此王赓武曾指出，在阶级结构上，海外华人社会和传统的中国社会是相异的，它可分为“商”、“士”和“工”三大层，在此分类下，商人属于最高的社会阶层，因此华商在华人社会的影响力和重要性不言而喻。他们在社会各领域作出了杰出的贡献，首先是在教育，他们兴学办教，出钱出力，创办了许多学校教育子弟。其次是参与社团，争取华人权益。其三是排难解纷，移风易俗，改造社会，争取华人福利。最后是施医赠药、修盖庙等慈善事业。

關鍵字

英殖民时期 ； 马新 ； 华商 ； 社会服务

並列摘要

Early Chinese societies in Malaysia and Singapore were made up largely of illiterate immigrants. According to Wang Gung Wu, the class structure of Chinese societies overseas is different from that of traditional China. The three major classes were the ＂merchants＂, ＂scholars＂ and ＂artisans＂. In this classification, the merchants occupy the highest rung of society which thus provides them with special influence among the Chinese. The merchants make significant contributions to society in different areas of activities. The first is in the promotion of education through the founding of schools and donating funds to support the education of children. The next is in community work through different associations to safeguard the rights and interests of the Chinese. The third is in efforts to ensure social stability, help settle disputes, advocate correct practices of customs and traditions, and promote the welfare of Chinese society. The last is their charity work particularly in the areas of medical care and the provision of places of worship.

並列關鍵字

British colonial period ； Malaysia and Singapore ； Chinese merchants ； social services