2021 marks the 90th. Anniversary of No. 12, Kee Ann Road, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Malacca.
HISTORY OF NO. 12, KEE ANN ROAD, 75100 MELAKA
(SINCE 1931)
The
block of 9 shop houses located at Kee Ann road was built in early 1930s and was
completed in 1931.
Our
paternal grandfather, Kan Khing rented No. 12, Kee Ann road as his venture
into the sundry shop business named "Chop Kong Hing".
He stayed in this place with his wife, Wong Kwai, son Weng Piew, daughters, Kwai Fong, Kwai Kuen and Kwai Yoke.
Chop
Kong Hing started by selling soya sauce, rice, salted fish, eggs and other sundry
items to retail customer.
As
Kee Ann road was situated near the newly built Municipal Central market around
the same time, business at Chop Kong Hing was brisk and profitable.
With
a booming retail business, Kan Khing ventured into soya sauce manufacturing
located about 10 km outside Malacca town at Bachang. He employed a master in the manufacturing of
soya sauce and "Tim cheong"(soya bean sauce paste).
He
also brought in his relatives from China to assist him to operate this factory
named Cheong Yun (sauce factory in Cantonese).
Cheong Yun at Bachang, Malacca in 1940s
Besides
operating the soy sauce factory, there was a pig sty, vegetable garden and a
fish pond to rear fish.
Chop
Kong Hing and her other enterprises prospered for next 10 years before the Second
World 2 loomed into Malaya on December 7 1941.
Typical
sundry shop similar to Chop Kong Hing
On
January 15, 1942, the Japanese occupied Malacca which brought economic hardship
to her residents. The war continued until 1945.
Some
of our family members left Kee Ann road
and stayed at Cheong Yun which was at the outskirts of town. They came back
after the Japanese surrendered in 1945.
Our
grandfather suffered a lot during the war years. As a successful businessman in
Malacca, he was profiled and targeted by the Japanese secret police named
"Kempetei". He was interned and interrogated by them at Meng Seng
Charitable Hall.
This
hall was the HQ of the Japanese Kempetei in Malacca. Suspects who were
anti-Japanese were rounded up, locked up and tortured, some by forcing
water down their throats until their stomachs bloated up. Then, someone jumped
onto their bloated stomachs. Water would gush out their mouths.
Grandfather
was interned here for at least 3 months. Luckily for him, he had a business
friend whose wife was Japanese. She acted as his Japanese interpreter and managed
to get him released after a few months.
However, due
to his internment and torture, his health deteriorated. He found
some pain relief by smoking opium during his remaining years.
Kan
Khing passed away at home at No.12, Kee Ann due to an attack of fits on 5th.
September 1950 aged 56, a few months after the birth of his grandson, Tsi Yan
on 3rd. July 1950.
Kan
Khing's funeral in September 1950.
Podcast Episode 1.
His
son, Kang Weng Piew was not interested in operating Chop Kong Hing but prefer
to work as a Chinese-English translator at Malacca Police HQ.
He and his wife, Mdm. Wong Yuit Sim raised his family of 6, Tsi Yan, Foong Mei, Tsi Wai, Tsz Wong, Tsi Kit and Tsi Yam.
Chop Kong Hing’s operation
was passed on to our Tai Pak, Kan Wun Kun, eldest son of grandfather’s oldest
brother. He managed it from 1956 until1970 when Chop Kong Hing was liquidated
by debtors from unpaid debts. The debtors thought they can take over the premises
as well but failed.
In
1969, Kang Weng Piew borrowed some money from his friends to buy over the
premises from its Singaporean owner for MYR 20,000.00. His foresight in buying
over the property and placing the title under his wife’s name (Mdm.Wong Yuit
Sim) saved the day.
He
was working as a government servant then, so he cannot put the title under his
name. By doing so, the debtors were unable to get hold of the premises as it
was NOT under Chop Kong Hing.
On
May 13th. 1969, racial riots occurred in Kuala Lumpur. Malacca was
also placed under a curfew.
We
stayed safe at home though our father was working in Kuala Lumpur Police HQ
then as he was transferred there in 1968 as a Senior Translator.
He
travelled home from Kuala Lumpur after work every Saturday afternoon by
interstate KL- Malacca Express bus. Every Monday morning, he travelled back
early by taxi foir work. He did this routine for a while until he was given a
government quarters to stay at Peel Road in KL with his family.
In
1960s to 1970s, we were assisted by our housekeeper, Ku Poh. She assisted our
mum by doing the house chores and cooking our meals. She retired in later years
and passed away in August 1979.
Another
unforgettable event happened in January 1971. The great floods occurred in
Malacca and our house was submerged in 1 metre deep of water. Since then, no
major floods have occurred over the past 50 years.
Floods
in Malacca on January 1971 in front of No.12, Kee Ann Road
From
May 1971- 1985, the front of the shops house was rented to Mayflower Hair
saloon.
Rents
received from Mayflower Hair Saloon financed the overseas tertiary education of
his children in Australia and United Kingdom.
In
the 1970’s period i.e. when we were still in secondary school, we had a
woodworking bench at the rear of shop house. By using our woodworking skills
learned from our Industrial Arts lessons in school, we managed to build 2
canoes and a flatbed rowing boat. The Red Devil canoe still hangs at the back
of our shop house.
We
also had a small DIY photo studio that was used to develop and print Black and
white photographs.
Our Red Devil Canoe hung up
on top of the rear carpark.(2021)
From
1985 - 2000, it was rented by Teresa Ladies’ Tailors.
After
Teresa Ladies’ Tailors vacated in 2000, UB Tailoring Article Supplies
rented the whole premises until today.
In
2016-2018, we upgraded and renovated the live-in premises of No.12, Kee Ann.
The external electrical wiring and the rusty water galvanized piping of the
whole house were changed to PPE water piping. A water tank and water pump were
installed to provide good water pressure. Energy saving LED light tubes were also
mounted.
Air
wells with asbestos sheets were changed with new 2” thick insulated aluminium
sheets.
All
the 4 rooms upstairs and 2 rooms downstairs were air-conditioned and 4 WCs were
upgraded.
We
also installed a remote activated roller shutter door at the rear. This space
is used for parking 2 cars inside our private parking space.
At
the same time, a wireless router and 5 sets of webcams were installed for
remote monitoring via the Internet globally.
The
central space within our premises is our main hall which houses our Kang Family
Altar. This area was always used for family reunion dinners and to celebrate
auspicious occasions.
Kang Family Altar in Malacca Main Hall
Top
Panel: 義氣 Side
Panels:將相經綸儒學問,英雄肝膽佛心
Top Panel : Ultimate True friendship.
Side
Panels : Hero study Sutra as their knowledge, Hero liver and bile but Buddha
compassion!
In
2020, we upgraded the upstairs front office area into a training and digital
centre viz “eKongHing Digital and Creative Centre”
We
hope to use the renovated space for training and holding public talks.However,
due to the onslaught of Covid -19 pandemic since early 2020, all activities
planned were shelved until further notice.
Training and Public Talk area
Air-conditioned
Management & Conference Room
In 2021, No. 12, Kee Ann Road celebrates her 90th.
Anniversary.
