Cheah Kongsi is home to the oldest Straits Chinese clan association in Penang. Besides serving as a temple and assembly hall, this building has also been the registered headquarters of several secret societies. Each society occupied a different portion of the temple, which became a focal point during the inter-clan riots that flared up in 1867. The fighting became so intense that a secret passage existed between here and Khoo Kongsi for a quick escape.
The Cheah Kongsi was being renovated when we were in town.
