Dr Sun Yat Sen and Tongmenghui in Ipoh

When Dr. Sun Yat-sen came to Perak seeking support for the revolutionary movement, he found some of his strongest allies not in China, but here in Ipoh. Three men in particular played crucial roles in advancing the cause of the Tongmenghui. They were Teh Lay Seng, Lee Guan Swee, and Dr. Wong I Ek.

Teh Lay Seng, born in Fujian in 1870, arrived in Malaya as a young immigrant and began life working as a bullock-cart driver transporting goods. Through determination and business acumen, he built a successful trading business with kerosene and rice and became one of Ipoh's respected community leaders. Beyond business, he established organisations such as the Perak Hokkien Association and Yuk Choy School, believing that education and community development were essential to progress. As chairman of the Ipoh Tongmenghui, Teh donated generously to Dr. Sun's revolutionary efforts and hosted important meetings at his villa in Jalan Sungai Pari. Under his leadership, substantial funds were raised in Perak for revolutionary activities in China.

Lee Guan Swee, born in Fujian in 1871, was another prominent businessman whose interests included rubber trading and tin mining. Operating from Belfield Street in Ipoh Old Town, he became a key supporter of Dr. Sun. Dr. Sun stayed at Lee's premises during fundraising visits to Perak. Using his influence within the business community, Lee helped mobilise donations and support for the revolution. His efforts demonstrated how the prosperity generated by Perak's tin and rubber industries could be channelled into political change for China.

Dr. Wong I Ek brought a different but equally important contribution. A Western-trained physician and fellow alumnus of the Hong Kong College of Medicine with Dr. Sun, he shared the revolutionary vision at both an intellectual and personal level. In 1907, together with Teh Lay Seng and Lee Guan Swee, he helped establish the Ipoh branch of the Tongmenghui. His medical practice and social standing provided credibility to the movement, while his connections helped broaden support among educated Chinese communities in Perak.

These three leaders represented different segments of society: the entrepreneur, the industrial businessman, and the professional doctor. Yet they were united by a common belief that China could be transformed.