Stories from Deli

Lim Sam Hap was a Lieutenant of the Chinese in Pangkalan Brandan, Beneden Langkat. He was appointed on 26 May 1900. A position he held until his death in 1906.

Lim Sam Hap was a head tandil of a tobacco company in Deli. Queeny Chang wrote he was working at Soengei Mentjirim plantation owned by Deli maatschappij. However, Soengei Mentjirim was owned by Tabak-maatschappij Arendsburg with administrator C. Th. Van Gerredink, a concession of 5436 bouw, and 483 Chinese coolies (in 1891). The most likely plantation is Kwala Mentjirim, in Langkat, which was near Binjei, owned by Deli Maatschappij with administrator F E.G.A.A Stalmann (1891). It had an area of 2000 bouw and 590 Chinese coolies.

Lim is a Hai Lok Hong. He is the father in law of Tjong A Fie. His daughter Lim Koei Yap was married to Tjong A Fie, who at that time just lost his second wife.

Tjong A Fie, through his connection, made Lim Sam Hap the Lieutenant of Pangkalan Berandan, a booming oil mining town. This raised some eyebrows but it was reasoned that Pangkalan Berandan had many Hai Lok Hong People who was very rough and fearless. Only Lim Sam Hap, who was also a Hai Lok Hong, could control them.

Queeny Chang described his grandfather as:

Grandfather Lim was over six feet five with well developed muscles, enormous arms and legs.. Lim was an expert in martial arts. Every coolie who came to work under him knew that Lim Sam Hap was not to be trifled with. He could overpower a dozen men with his bare fists and often, in his youth, when coolies were still unruly, stopped riots singlehandedly while his Dutch superiors remained in their houses. He earned his job as overseer through years of hardship, bravery and integrity. He was the only Chinese overseer who was decorated by the Dutch government for his valuable services.

Tjong A Fie took Lim and his family to Penang with ss. “Malaya” in 1905.

Lim died of heart attack on Valentine’s day ,14 Feb 1906 at the age of 49. Tjong A Fie paid a further respect by having a road in Pangkalan Berandan named after him: Djalan Lim Sam Hap.

Tjong A Fie also tool care of the Lim family. His wife’s elder brother Lim Koei Seng worked for his plantation company Tjong A Fie Landen established in 1919. Lim Koei Seng was listed as manager of the company. The company has several estates. The one administered by Koei Seng was: Seroewai (cocos), Paya Mabar (rubber) and Soengei Boeloe (rubber and sugar). His Brother Lim Tjoe Lay administered the Bandar Baroe estate (tea).