Chan Wing
The Chinese Immigrant who Built Istana Negara
Quick Facts:
- Chan Wing was born in 1873 at the Sun Wui (Xinhui) District, Pearl River Delta, Canton (Guangzhou)
- Arrived in Malaya: 1887 at age 14
- Made his fortune: 1897 at age 24 with the opening of Hong Fatt Tin Mine
- Number of Wives: 8
- Number of Children: 26
- Died: 1947 at age of 74
Chan Wing started life as a laborer in a tin mine in Malaya. He was a dedicated and honest worker. He then worked for Loke Yew, a rich businessman, as a bookkeeper. This opportunity allowed him to learn about the world of finance. It proved to be a useful experience later in his life.
He went back to work in the tin mine as he knew that his fate was there. His big break came when he partnered with four of his clansmen to form a syndicate (kongsi) to mine for tin.
The lease of land they obtained was just next to the successful Sungai Besi Mine. They believed that there should be much tin there too.
However, after nine months of digging brought them no closer to their fortune.
They were almost bankrupt, just like the three other "kongsis" who have worked on the same plot of land earlier. They were almost out of funds to proceed when their lucky break came.
They heard his victory cry "Sek Mai Ah" (tin ore in Cantonese) just as the partnership was about to give up.
Thus the Hong Fatt (abundant prosperity) Tin Mine was formed. It became the largest and deepest open cast tin mine in the world. Today that area is known as The Mines.
They made so much money that they were even able to open their own bank, Kwong Yik Bank Corporation, in 1913. His earlier experience as a bookkeeper with Loke Yew paid off. He then went on to built his mansion on this land which is now the Kings Palace. The building was completed in 1928 and he was reputed to have live there with all his eight wives.
They lived there till the Second World War in 1941 when the Japanese invaded Malaya. Chan Wing had to leave Malaya as he was known to be one of the biggest contributors of the China War Relief Fund. And as such, was high on the wanted list of the Japanese Imperial Army.
After the war, the state government acquired this mansion and made it into the King's Palace.
Chan Wing died in 1947, three years after the end of the war, at the age of 74.
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The Istana Negara
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Chan Wing was the richest person in Kuala Lumpur up to the beginning of the Second World War on 8 December 1941.
The mansion with its twin cupolas ...
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