THE feuding factions of a Hainanese clan have finally buried the hatchet after two years.

The leaders of the Hainan Clan Association and its financial arm Kheng Chiu Tin Hou Kong signed an agreement on Oct 31 to accept the recommendations of a mediation panel to resolve the disputes between them.

The panel members - approached by Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan to play peacemakers - are Attorney-General Chao Hick Tin, Surbana Corporation's chairman Ngiam Tong Dow and Professor Lim Chong Yah.

The Kheng Chiu Tin Hou Kong, which has about 1,700 members, will also launch a membership drive to admit more Hainanese as members.

The two parties will also adopt the recommended arrangments for the reimbursement of administrative expenses and funding applications.

Mr Mah, who is also the honorary advisor to the Hainan Clan Association, first intervened in the dispute in May.

A coffee shop meeting between Kheng Chiu Tin Hou Kong chairman Wong Yeh Yuh, 72, and Hainan Clan Association chairman Foo Jong Peng, 55, to discuss the funding for last year's Hainanese Cultural Festival had degenerated into a brawl.

Initially, the two parties managed to resolve the matter, but outstanding issues remained, prompting Mr Mah to set up a mediation panel comprising prominent members of the Hainanese community.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Mah said he was glad the two parties had decided to put their differences behind.

Mr Foo said the agreement would help prevent future misunderstandings.

'Ultimately, we are like brothers. We cannot be separated,' he said.

Tin Hou Kong, founded by the clan association, holds the clan's purse strings.

Traditionally, both sides have worked closely to promote Hainanese culture and tradition and to look after the interests of the community.

Tin Hou Kong is the source of funds for scholarships and study loans which are given out to deserving members of the community.

Is this article useful to you?