There are several places in Southeast Asia that had its roots in the Kangchu system, an organised system of administration which was introduced by the Sultanate of Johore in the territories of Johore and Singapore in the 19th century to oversee the social affairs and economy of Chinese coolies who were working in gambier and pepper plantations. Even as the gambier and pepper trade declined in the early 20th century, many of these place names were retained as some of these settlers remained behind. Place names that are associated with the Kangchu system are named after former place features such as settlements, (or Chu Kang, Chinese: 厝港, Peng'im: cu3 gang2), river bases (or Kangkar, Chinese: 港跤, Peng'im: gang2 ka1) and port (or Kang, Chinese: 港, Peng'im: gang2). These terminologies are of Chinese origins, and draw their phonology from the Teochew language.Ooi (2004), p. 710
Malaysia Johor
Bukit Kangkar, Muar Kampong Kangkar, Chaah Kangkar Bahru, Yong Peng Kangkar Pulai, Johor BahruSingam (1980), pg 62 Kangkar Tebrau, Johor Bahru () Kangkar Kambau Kangkar Pendas () Plentong ()
Singapore Housing estates Choa Chu KangDunlop (2000), pg 168 Hougang Lim Chu Kang Sengkang Yio Chu Kang
Obsolete names Tan Chu KangChu Kangs-Singapore Retrieved 24 May 2020 Chan Chu Kang Lau Chu Kang The fictional character Phua Chu Kang was likely a humorous reference to "Chu Kang" place names.
Indonesia Sinaboi or Cia Chui Kang (), Riau Sungai Nyamuk or Tua Kang (), Riau
Others Lanfang Republic, Indonesia. Kangkar LRT Station, Singapore.
See also Kangchu system Kapitan Cina
Footnotes
References
Bibliography
Dunlop, Peter K.G., Street Names of Singapore, Who's Who Publications, 2000 Ooi, Keat Gin, Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, ABC-CLIO, 2004, Singam, Durai Raja, Place-Names in Peninsular Malaysia, Archipelago, 1980