Books
As Equals: The Oei Women of Java
Published 2023In this wonderfully detailed narrative, Daryl Yeap brings us the fascinating story of Hui-lan, Ida and Lucy, daughters and wife of Asia's richest man at the turn of the 20th century — Oei Tiong-ham. Flying planes, managing Asia's richest estate and charming the West with their sense of style and sophistication — at a time when bound feet, matchmaking and subservience were in vogue — the three women punctured through cultural stereotypes and challenged the ideals of womanhood. In doing so, they paved the way for millions to follow. Written in a distinct style, the book is revealing, holding surprises even for those familiar with their stories.
Published 2019The King’s Chinese: From Barber To Banker, The Story of Yeap Chor Ee and the Straits Chinese
An informative and well-researched book, The King's Chinese provides a superb account of the Straits British Chinese, a distinct migrant society from various districts of South China in the late 19th Century. Daryl Yeap gives us a fascinating story of this hybrid community, taking us on tour through one man's journey, beginning with how he left a war-ravaged China to Penang, where he started life as an illiterate itinerant barber to becoming one of the most successful bankers in South East Asia. As she takes us through his story, Daryl brilliantly captures its unique society and wonderful mix of cultures explaining how Penang was once considered the Cinderella of the East; what the earliest forms of passports were; how a coconut scraper, so novel, was confused as 'one musical instrument' by the British eye; and exactly how a borrower's credit profile was assessed with just one glance of the face. A highly readable book with plenty of witty anecdotes and compelling analysis, it is undoubtedly a book that sheds light on a significant development in Malaysia's history.
Book Trailers
As Equals
The King’s Chinese
Articles
As Equals
An oral history reconstructs the legendary stories of women in Southeast Asia - Shanghai Xinmin, 1 April 2026
100 years ago, they became the earliest heroines of the 20th century. - Fudan University Press, 30 March 2026
The new book,”On Equal Footing: The Legendary Women of the Indonesian Sugar King Family”, was launched in Shanghai - Fudan University Press, 30 March 2026
"On Equal Footing: The Legendary Women of the Indonesian Sugar King Family" Launched in Shanghai, Filling a Gap in Overseas Chinese Studies - China News Network, 29 March 2026
Malaysian author’s second book translated, published in Shanghai - The Vibes, 30 March 2026
Three women's intriguing ties to Java's sugar tycoon, Oei Tiong Ham - The Star,29 April 2024
Daryl Yeap’s ‘As Equals’ tells the story of the Oei women of Java who broke free from cultural stereotypes - The Edge Option, 7 March 2024
‘As Equals’: a historic tale of Penang’s remarkable women - Free Malaysia Today, 18 Feb 2024
Banking analyst turned author Daryl Yeap talks about her new book, 'As Equals: The Oei Women of Java'- Malay Mail, 6 February 2024
The King’s Chinese
How Penang’s Yeap Chor Ee went from penniless barber to one of Asia’s richest men - The Star, 17 November 2026
The King’s Chinese: how Penang’s ‘Grand Old Man’ Yeap Chor Ee went from penniless barber to one of Asia’s richest men - South China Morning Post, 10 November 2019