Career
He arrived at Penang, a penniless coolie from China, in 1873, but by December 1907, had risen to the prominent position of diplomat. Success and recognition followed that appointment. He became a Revenue Farmer, and succeeded in obtaining the Gambling Farm for Taiping (Perak), the following year.
In 1910 he was appointed to the Committee of the District Hospital, Penang.
He was Chinese Vice Consul in Penang between 1907 and 1911, an Acting Consul-General of Singapore from 1911 to 1912, toward the end of the Qing Dynasty and a philanthropist of Lebuh Tye Kee Yoon fame. He was one of the largest individual town-property holders in the state.
He contributed to the Malayan Aircraft Fund during the First World War. The Shih Chung School premises which was, at one time, known as "The Chinese Residency," belonged to Tye Kee Yoon, who used it for China"s Consulate in Penang.
His other well-known property was on Leith Street.
He died in Penang in 1919 at the age of 71. According to newspaper reports, after his death, Tye Kee Yoon was regarded as the richest man in Penang at the time of his demise. Upon his death, Tye Kee Yoon"s son, Tye Phey Yuen, also known as Tye Shook Yuen, succeeded him as Chinese Consul at Penang, appointed to that position by Doctor Sun Yat Senator.
