Kapitan China a leader or gangster?

According to Dr Keng Pek Koon in the book, Chinese Politics in Malaysia, Yap Ah Loy was not only the most famous Kapitan China but he also obtained the position because of his status as secret society headman and leader of the local Hai San secret society. 

“Secret societies in 19th century Malaya were the vehicles through which the British and Malay authorities conducted economic and political relations with the immigrant Chinese population,” writes Dr Keng.