Author: ycgallery

Sin Han Seong Restaurant

As the clock strikes 11A.M., Uncle Ling Hing Kooi rolls up the shutters of Sin Han Seong Restaurant, sunlight pours into the half-brick and half-wood double-storey old shophouse, lending brightness and warmth to the interior. The ancient wooden counter is his fortress, and the small round table opposite is laden with glass beer bottles, containing not beer but homemade barley drink instead. Uncle Ling arranges dimsum handmade in-house into the steaming cabinet, and greets customers as they enter. At least one of the signature dishes will appear on each table: spicy and sour fish fillets, spicy and sour pork ribs, Fuzhou mixed vegetables, spicy and sour fish maw soup, red rice wine noodles, or Fuzhou braised noodles.

Ayer Tawar in Perak is situated between Ipoh and Lumut, adjacent to Sitiawan. Most of the residents are Chinese, originating from Fuzhou in China, who retain their ancestral dialect and food culture even after a century of settlement. Sin Han Seong Restaurant was established within a row of shophouses facing the main road, originally belonged to the same landowner as the cinema behind it, built around 1935. Previously named Han Seong Teahouse, it was renamed Sin Han Seong upon changing ownership to Ling Hing Kooi’s father in 1954.

The senior Mr Ling hailed from China, at first he settled in Kampung Koh working as a hot kitchen cook, then he moved to work in Ayer Tawar, where he acquired a shop and brought his family over. In the face of difficult living conditions at the time, the entire family worked together to run the restaurant. Upholding the hardworking spirit of the Fuzhou clan, they open for long hours every day. Serving bao, dimsum, and porridge from 6A.M. onwards, so that rubber tappers may fill their stomachs before work; cooking hot meals all day long to cater for local residents, especially at night when many Indian customers dine in; late night supper spot for movie-goers. Through joint effort by all family members, Sin Han Seong’s business flourished, and the second floor was expanded as a banquet hall, which hosted various banquets during the 1970s and 1980s.

In the 1990s, emerging market competition dealt a blow to Sin Han Seong’s glory, therefore they focused on dine-in foodservice instead. After the senior Mr Ling retired, his seven sons take turns to run the restaurant. However, as the second generation grew older and some passed away, they resumed joint operation, with shorter opening hours from 11A.M. to 7P.M. Among the three siblings still actively involved in the business, the eldest brother is semi-retired and only helps occasionally. The fourth brother, Ling Hing Kooi, is in charge of operations and beverage-making. He sources goods at the wet market in the morning, then rushes back to prepare barley drinks, cook rice, and take care of general affairs at the restaurant. The youngest brother, Ling Hing Tee, is in charge of the cooking, together with two nephews and a few hired help.

Since the opening of the West Coast Expressway, lesser travellers drop by the town, business declined but fortunately there still are regular customers. On weekends and public holidays, foodies flock from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to get a taste of authentic Fuzhou cuisine. During Chinese New Year, when those working outstation return to their hometown, they would come for the nostalgic childhood taste. The cinema behind the restaurant ceased operations 20 or 30 years ago, most of the shophouses in the same row were abandoned due to disrepair. Word has it that the government intends to reclaim the area to widen public roads, and lawyers are handling property valuation. Uncle Ling is already in his 70s, all the restaurant employees are also ageing, it is beyond their capabilities to start over in a new place. As his nephews have no intention of taking over the restaurant, there is a possibility that it will eventually close down.

Decades of serving Fuzhou-style delicacies, shaping collective food memories of Ayer Tawar residents, Sin Han Seong restaurant has a warm atmosphere where most conversations are carried out in Fuzhou dialect, family and friends gather happily around tables full of sumptuous dishes that are mostly red in colour. These scenes may no longer exist in the future, but forever sealed in memory.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Handmade Bao in Petaling Street

Catty-corner to the Ka Yin Fui Kon building at Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur, a tarpaulin makeshift roof in the alley between two rows of double-storey shophouses shelters a crude hawker stall. Billows of steam arise from the multi-tiered bamboo steamer on top of the gas stove, marking the spot of Tuck Kee Dim Sum Pau. About 60 years ago, the alley was bustling with hawker stalls selling rice and porridge, cockle noodles soup, stuffed tofu, beef brisket noodles soup, wonton noodles, chee cheong fun, fruits and so on. Along with changing times, most hawkers either moved elsewhere, switched careers, or retired. Tuck Kee alone remains operating in the same place.

The second-generation owner, Chan Kam Weng, is born in 1965, the same year the bao stall was founded. A native KL-ite of Petaling Street, he took over his father’s unnamed bao stall upon finishing middle school. As a tribute to the struggling and enduring story of his father’s migration from China to Malaysia, Chan Kam Weng named the bao stall Tuck Kee after his father, who learnt bao-making skills and set up the stall to upkeep a family with nine children.

In the past, Petaling Street was a bustling area, several families lived together in the upper storey of the shophouses. In the evening, they would come downstairs for tea and supper. Tuck Kee has its own water and electricity supply, hence no need to draw from neighbouring shophouses. Opening from 7P.M. until the wee hours, Tuck Kee sells various types of bao and dimsum, as well as making tea. During those busy times, six to seven siblings help out at the stall. Later on, the numbers diminished, Chan Kam Weng alone persisted in the business for more than 40 years. As more and more old neighbours moved out of Petaling Street, Uncle Chan had to reduce his product line and adjust business hours. Nowadays the bao stall is open from 11A.M. to 3P.M., the only items on the menu include char siu bao (barbecued pork bun), sang yuk bao (steamed meat bun), lotus bao, red bean bun, and glutinous rice chicken.

Starting a business is hard, sustaining a business is even harder. Although times changed to pursue low cost and high efficiency, Uncle Chan maintains the consistent practice for decades by not employing foreign labourers or any machinery, and relies entirely on his hands to control the taste and quality. The daily production maximum cap is 500 pieces, leavened by a decades-old natural starter, resulting in a slightly yellowish appearance with a soft but chewy texture. The bao fillings are not made from pre-packed mince pork, but from a whole slab of fresh pork selected with care by Uncle Chan himself. One part is used to marinate the barbecued pork, while the other is finely chopped into mince for steamed meat bun. He dares to guarantee that his bao can be safely consumed by customers adhering to certain dietary restrictions.

Before dawn, Uncle Chan, his nephew Leong Kah Wai, and two helpers arrive at the stall to start kneading dough and letting it rise, cutting meat, and prepare fillings. Around 9A.M., they skillfully make bao stuffed with different fillings, which were fermented until they were about the size of a fist and are ready to be steamed. At noon, as vast amounts of vapour drift from the steamer, customers come one after another to buy freshly steamed bao. Most of them have been regular customers for ages, there are also new customers attracted by the aroma. Uncle Chan takes his insistence on the authentic taste seriously, as long as it is accepted by 80% of customers, he will stick to his usual seasonings and will not easily make adjustments.

Chan Kam Weng has always stayed in an alley of the busy city, declining offers by investors to set up mass production facilities, choosing to continue the legacy of local community culture and authentic taste. Throughout the years, even though not extremely rich, he is quite self-sufficient. As he is getting on in years, Uncle Chan gradually hand over the reins to his nephew, who followed in his footsteps for more than 20 years. The future of the bao stall is up to Leong Kah Wai, whether to remain in the alley or shift into a shop.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Tai Kwong Hardware

Towering wooden shelves stand within the unpretentious shophouse, seemingly unobstructed yet hinting at mysteries, head upstairs and find the storage place with mezzanine floors. All kinds of hardware accessories are arranged in an orderly manner, according to category, brand, and size. The yellowing labels indicate the passage of time, yet the neat marker pen handwriting remains legible. Both veterans and rookies are able to quickly and accurately locate products that customers need. The inventory is a mix of new and old items, such as old-fashioned paraffin blow torch, drop-forged steel wrenches directly imported from Europe, as well as safety boots and hammers which are in high demand recently.

Tai Kwong Hardware Trading occupies a pre-war double-storey shophouse at the first section of Jalan Petaling, near the intersection with Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Since its establishment in 1945, there has been no elaborate furnishings, only solid wooden shelves expanding upwards due to increasing inventory, and self-built mezzanine floors which made up the third and fourth floors. The five original founders (Soo, Lee, Chong, Kim, and Tan) all passed away, currently the second and third generations are in charge, with long-serving staff of 30-40 years, including loyal employees promoted to directorship.

Hardware trading covers a comprehensive range of materials, from large hardware such as sheet metal and construction materials, to small hardware such as tools and accessories, necessary in day to day life. Due to different target markets, large hardware resort to wholesale distribution while small hardware are sold retail. Tai Kwong is among the very few companies that operate both a retail shop selling small hardware and a warehouse selling large hardware such as bronze foil and lead sheets.

The early days of Tai Kwong’s establishment coincided with post-World War II reconstruction, hardware was in high demand, the founders had to carry heavy bags of cement on their shoulders to make deliveries to construction sites. Putting down firm roots in Petaling Street not only relied on their blood and sweat, but also their active thinking to bring in a wide variety of semi-finished hardware and appliances. Despite being strategically located, the shoplot does not have sufficient space for lorries to load and unload goods, therefore Tai Kwong set up a warehouse at Jalan Sungai Besi, later on relocated to Jalan Chan Sow Lin upon land reclamation for Mass Rapid Transit project.

In recent years, the major clientele has shifted from construction companies on credit terms to foreign labourers on cash terms. Tai Kwong’s long-standing reputation has a competitive edge, as customers feel at ease in making purchases. Due to the sizable variety and complexity of goods stocked, the front desk staff still practice handwritten bills and account ledgers, while utilizing a computer system to keep track of inventory. Certain items are considered out-of-date due to changing industrial standards and became slow-moving, therefore left to gather dust until collectors chance to come on a treasure hunt.

In ever-changing times, the business model must constantly evolve to suit changing consumer needs. It is a common understanding shared by sales and procurement manager Mr Lee Zhan Wei and finance director Mdm Liew Fui Tse. Eventually all in-store transactions will be computerized to reduce human errors. Taking a leaf from various traditional hardware tradings that achieved modernization, Tai Kwong is confident to succeed in doing so.

Hardware stores are essential in daily lives. Tai Kwong Hardware remain standing in Petaling Street for nearly eight decades, undergoing changes and transformation, supplying building materials as well as household necessities. Despite generational differences, business partners and staff share the same vision, working in cooperation towards a better future.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

The Dedication of Merits

The sounds of cymbals, drums and suona accompanied Taoist prayer chanting, around 100 members of the Hau family gathered together at their ancestral house in red mourning attire, burning incense and kneeling to pray under the guidance of five Taoist priests. Through joint effort over several months, the entire family organized a commemoration ceremony in conjunction with the third death anniversary of the late old Mrs Hau. The 30ft joss paper house is dedicated to eight deceased relatives.

In traditional Chinese beliefs, a deceased person’s soul would depart to the Underworld, where they would pass through the Ten Courts of Judgement. Even if a person always did good deeds while alive, there might be unintentional mistakes for which they were punished. Descendants will engage Buddhist monks or Taoist priests to facilitate merit dedication rituals to help their ancestors atone for past misdeeds thus achieving enlightenment.

The head of the household is 69-year-old Hau Kim Heng, whose grandfather hailed from Nan’an, China yet eventually settled in Sungai Rambai, Melaka, where the family prospered and spread across different regions in Singapore and Malaysia. Hau Kim Heng used to work at Singapore in the construction industry, then he returned to the ancestral home to take care of his ageing parents until they breathed their last. His mother passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of 93, with five living generations, therefore a ‘Joyful Funeral’ was held where all the family members wear red mourning clothes.

The dedication of merits is very important in the Hokkien community, the late old Mrs Hau also commended the practice, therefore Hau Kim Heng and siblings decided to throw a grand ceremony in honour of their beloved mother. The dedication of merits usually spans three days, smaller occasions merely 24 hours, yet the Hau family decided on a large scale event spanning five days. The full itinerary comprises ‘soul summoning’, four sessions of prayer chanting held in the morning and at night, request for pardon, destroy city walls, morning assembly, repayment of treasury debts, appease roaming spirits, and dismantle the joss paper house. Last but not least is burning the joss paper house and give thanks to the Jade Emperor.

The leading Taoist priest for the Hau family’s dedication of merits, Haw Eng Thian, is a Zhengyi Taoist affiliated with Mount Longhu in Jiangxi, China. After ordination, he goes by the monastic name Hóu LuóZhǎn. Although just in his forties, he spent almost 30 years in the profession. Both Haw’s father and maternal great-grandfather are Taoist priests, he sparked a keen interest since the tender age of 10, following his father to attend various ceremonies on weekends and holidays, lending a helping hand while learning basics such as drumming, rhyme and rhythm in prayer chanting. Haw started out upon leaving school after Form Two, by the age of 20 he is capable of handling small to medium-scale ceremonies, therefore his father handed over the reins to him. 

At the beginning of his career, Haw handled mostly small to medium-scale ceremonies, where neighbours would assist the host family in preparing offerings and meals. However, community bonds weakened with the passing of the older generations, such tasks had to be outsourced to service providers and food caterers. As a Taoist priest, Haw tries his best to accommodate various requests by different host families. Sometimes he has to travel to two or three venues in a day, his passion alleviating the fatigue as he does his best to fulfill his duty at each ceremony.

The dedication of merits not only commemorates deceased ancestors, it also strengthens family bonds, as well as continuing the legacy of cultural customs. By properly performing each ritual, paying respects to ancestors while inducing younger generations to uphold moral obligations, complete virtue is achieved.

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[Soul Summoning]

The Taoist priest paves the way to the Underworld, using a soul-summoning banner to invite the souls of deceased ancestors to their respective memorial tablets. Each soul-summoning banner bears the name of a deceased, attached to the tip of a long thin bamboo stick, carried by the eldest son or eldest grandson. If the deceased had no offspring, a nephew would do.

[Five Elders Lead the Way]

Inviting the Five Celestial Elders and Five Immortal Boys to serve as guides for the deceased.

Five Celestial Elders: Green Emperor of East, Red Emperor of South, Yellow Emperor of Center, White Emperor of West, Black Emperor of North

Five Immortal Boys: QīngLíng Boy of East holds a green lotus, JīnHuī Boy of South holds a red lotus, ZhēnJué Boy of West holds a white lotus, KaīMíng Boy of North holds a blue lotus, MiàoGuāng Boy of Center holds a yellow lotus. They greet the deceased soul and serve as heavenly guides.

[Prayer Chanting]

The Taoist priest leads the family in prayer chanting: 10 scrolls of 《Precious Litanies of Nine Realms of Darkness》, three scrolls of 《Precious Repentances to the Three Primes》, and 《Scripture on Salvation》. At the conclusion of each scroll, the soul-summoning banner is raised and respects paid to deceased ancestors.

[Request for Pardon]

Apart from prayer chanting and delivering speeches, Taoist priests would act out various scenes, including meeting with the pardon attorney to implore his service in requesting for a pardon letter, feeding the joss paper horse on which the pardon attorney would ride as fast as he could to the Underworld, and pleading with the ruler of the Underworld to grant pardon.

[Destroy City Walls]

Also known as “Rescue from Hell”, based on the Classic of Filial Piety where Mulian rescues his mother from the Underworld. The Taoist priest leads descendants to travel around an octagonal city constructed of joss paper, explaining each checkpoint along the way, then the city walls are destroyed in order to free the deceased ancestors from suffering in the Underworld.

[Morning Assembly]

Offering tea and liquor as a token of gratitude to the presiding deities.

[Repayment of Treasury Debts]

Repaying the loans obtained for reincarnation according to the deceased’s Chinese zodiac. During the burning of treasury banknotes, descendants should keep banging metal objects to scare away roaming spirits from committing robbery. 

[Appease Roaming Spirits]

The host family prepares food and paper offerings to appease roaming spirits.

[Dismantle Joss Paper House]

On the final night of the ceremony, the joss paper house is dismantled and burned, marking the end of the mourning period.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Deities Procession at Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào in Kuala Kubu Bharu

In the wee hours of the morning, a number of Kuala Kubu Bharu village residents are busy preparing a tableful of offerings in front of their house, gathering on the roadside to look around in anticipation. As the sun breaks through the clouds, drumming and firecrackers crackling fill the air, about a thousand devotees throng around Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào where the Shī Yé patrol procession begin, heading into each and every alley of the local village to shower blessings, and then the town before returning to the temple. The entire route measures about seven kilometres. Along the way, devotees kneel and pray to the deities for protection over their families, as well as exchanging incense and offerings with the procession.

The main deities of Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào are the Third Shī Yé and Fourth Shī Yé, Third Shī Yé being Kapitan Shin Kap alias Kapitan Sheng Meng Li, the Kapitan of Sungei Ujong or Seremban who was worshipped upon his demise in war; Fourth Shī Yé being Chung Lai, a commander who fought together with Yap Ah Loy and lost his life in the Selangor Civil War. As a memorial to the two late Hakka leaders who fought hard to protect the community, they were venerated in the same temple by Yap Ah Loy. Eventually a religious cult was established by the Hakka clan in Malaya, which later on spread to various settlements, watching over the development of tin mining towns.

Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào was built in 1895, overlooking and safeguarding the village and town of Kuala Kubu Bharu. Initially Kuala Kubu in Ulu Selangor, the town was founded on tin mining and rubber cultivation. Six decades ago, disaster befell the town, after consultation with deities, Shī Yé went on a patrol procession to drive away evils therefore restoring peace. Since then, the procession became a triannual event held on the 15th day of the second lunar month, with a three-day ritual ceremony.

The current president of the organizing committee, Mr Tan Tek Son, who grew up in Kuala Kubu Bharu and is now 77 years old, has been handling temple affairs for over half a century, thus very familiar with the procedures. Preparations start one month in advance due to tedious and time-consuming aspects, volunteers turn up to help in scrubbing altars, polishing censers, folding joss papers, cleaning and re-assembling wooden sedan chairs. On the procession day itself, some even come as early as 3A.M. to cook vegetarian fare for attendees. 

What catches the eye most is the “Iron Throne” – a wooden sedan seat lined with sharp nails. A week before the procession, the temple lets interested spirit mediums perform moon block toss, whoever wins the most approvals from Shī Yé gets assigned. In olden days, the customary practice was getting spirit mediums to stay overnight at the temple, Shī Yé will decide on which candidate prior to the procession, however in recent years this practice was overridden by moon block toss to show fairness.

The procession is led by gong, drums, lion dance, and the Marshals of Five Celestial Camps, then comes the “Iron Throne”. This year’s assigned spirit medium is 61-year-old Mr Yap Swee Lin, who after being possessed by Shī Yé sat steadily upon the “Iron Throne” while brandishing a sword, maintaining a calm countenance despite the constant jolting. The censer as well as tables laden with offerings followed right after.

Bringing up the rear are the two sedan chairs of Shī Yé and Guān Yīn respectively, with Shī Yé’s borne by male devotees while Guān Yīn’s borne by female devotees, followed by spirit mediums and devotees with their cheeks pierced by needles. Devotees who encounter misfortune may request to kneel under the sedan chair for luck. 

Shī Yé worship is founded on a collective need for peace, security, and health. The triannual procession is not on a large scale, yet in the small town it is considered a grand event. By the means of a patrol procession, the deity showers blessings upon local residents, who found spiritual ease, as well as promoting community bonds and cultural heritage.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Master Yap Hong Ngee: “Eternal Love” Oil Painting Exhibition

Ascend the escalator onto the 4th floor of GMBB creative community mall, a vast array of rose oil paintings adorn the long exhibition hall. Taking centre stage is a small artwork which consists of roses in the three primary colours and adequate blank-leaving within a gold leaf frame, entitled “Eternal Love” as written on a card placed at the bottom-right. Renowned local artist Yap Hong Ngee adopted it as the theme of his solo exhibition, spreading the power of love.

About 150 pieces of rose oil paintings bedeck contiguous exhibition spaces within the entire floor. Laid out in the style of an art gallery, the artworks are arranged in surprising ways, including forming polyptychs. A myriad of roses bloom in every corner, symbolizing all sorts of love, with white standing for purity, pink for affection, red for passion, yellow for warmth, blue for mystery. Walking around the gallery while holding a loved one’s hand is as if taking a walk in a romantic rose garden. Upon stopping to admire artworks, lean in to gently whisper “I love you.”

About 30 years ago, Master Yap started painting roses for Valentine’s day event at a Japanese department store. Even though the partnership ended years ago, he keep on producing rose oil paintings. Despite being known for Chinese ink painting of sparrows, Master Yap chose Western oil painting as the medium to paint roses which are prominent in Western countries for better interpretation. His rose paintings are by no means realistic, but rather an impression painted in the style of Chinese ink painting after close observation and fully understanding the nature of roses.

Master Yap’s painting process is quite straightforward, squeezing oil paint directly onto the canvas without sketching or using a palette, creating a vivid blooming rose in one stroke. The patterns range from swirls to ripples, unconstrained yet retaining the nuances of a rose, recognizable by the beholder. Apart from that, the artwork titles prompt viewers to contemplate their meanings, relating to their own past experience and resonate with the artist’s ideas.

As the proverb goes: “The rose’s in her hand, the flavor in mine.” A seemingly ordinary action leaves a warm impression on both parties. Perhaps due to Master Yap strongly valuing interpersonal relationships, he incorporates his life experience into his paintings, the sincerity touches the hearts of viewers, bringing people closer together. During art exhibitions, Master Yap would meet complete strangers who were brought to tears by his paintings and shared their life stories with him, thus becoming fast friends.

Master Yap is turning 80 years old, yet he is full of enthusiasm, obtaining great enjoyment in painting. In future, he intends to continue holding exhibitions, hopefully getting the chance to tour different cities and states. For one thing, he wish to let friends know that he is still actively painting. For another thing, he wish to make new friends via artworks and exchange ideas. Master Yap does not place emphasis on selling his paintings or receiving praise, and does not mind whether his artworks are being liked or disliked. To him, true happiness is the feelings of love and support, which enabled him to persist in painting.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Syarikat Bee Sin

Written in red on a white plaque is the trade name “Bee Sin”, as the blue shutter doors slowly open, Lim Choon Fung hangs various schoolbags and shoes over the shop entrance, then he sets up wooden stands to display school uniforms, stationery and other daily necessities in front of the shop. Hanging at the left side of the shopfront is a pastel painting entitled “Wind blowing in the paddy fields”, sketched by Lim. Besides operating this traditional foreign goods store, he teaches co-curricular art classes.  

The row of century-old double-storey shophouse is located at Jalan Telaga Air in Butterworth, Penang. Near the intersection with Jalan Kampung Gajah, where shipping container trucks frequent, kicking up a dust storm every time they pass by, worsening the shophouses’ dreary appearance. A stone’s throw away from Butterworth Port, Jalan Telaga Air used to be teeming with textile stores, footwear stores, and foreign goods stores, mostly helmed by Chinese merchants. Hit by financial crises in the 80’s to 90’s, several businesses either moved out or closed down, the row of shophouses are slowly taken over by Indians selling traditional flower garlands, Bee Sin became the only remaining Chinese-run shop.

Lim Choon Fung spent over 70 years in this shophouse, from school-age to teenage, adulthood and marriage, till now in his seventies. During his childhood, his father operated a coffee shop near the port, the family stayed upstairs at the nearby shophouse while the shop downstairs was rented to a hairdresser. Upon graduating from high school, Lim shouldered the responsibility as the eldest child of contributing to the household income by setting up a foreign goods business. Bee Sin opened its doors in 1969 during the nationwide emergency, curfews were imposed from 6pm, therefore leaving a mark in Lim’s memory.

At first, due to limited capital, Lim could only afford to purchase on credit, selling an assortment of goods from hair cream, scissors, to clothing and socks. He gradually worked out which are the top-selling products and focused on selling school supplies such as uniforms, shoes and bags. Before the start of each new school year, parents would bring their children to try on uniforms and buy school supplies. As customers swarmed into the small shop, Lim’s siblings would lend a helping hand.

Lim channeled his hard-earned money to fund his younger brother to further studies abroad in Australia. Struggling to make ends meet, Lim resorted to side hustles, utilizing his talents in painting to teach art classes. The headmaster of SJK (C) Kwang Hwa granted him an opportunity to teach co-curricular art classes at the school, so he went by bicycle, bringing his art supplies and materials along. Apart from that, Lim joined numerous art exhibitions and gained fame. He even co-exhibited with renowned local and foreign painters.

Having worked diligently for half a century, Lim is not rich but gets by comfortably. His younger siblings achieved professional success, till now they still help each other out. With the digitalization of businesses, online shopping offers more convenience than retail stores, dealing a severe blow to Lim. Recently a fallen tree damaged the rear of the building, Lim and his wife had to stay with their daughter, after some persuasion he agreed to cease operations and retire. Before the lease term ends, he donated most school supplies to SJK (C) Kwang Hwa in tribute to the former headmaster, to help underprivileged pupils. Meanwhile the remaining inventory are on clearance sale.

Bee Sin’s lease expires on 31st December 2022, and will close permanently upon stock clearance. Lim Choon Fung has stopped teaching due to vision impairment, and will be undergoing eye treatment at a hospital. After many years of hard work, Lim finally gets to enjoy a peaceful retirement together with his wife.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Paper Offerings for Jade Emperor’s Birthday in Butterworth

36 pieces of 16-inch joss paper folded in half, tied in the middle by a red string, fold the tip of each sheet in alternating directions to shape into a lotus base. Pull a string through three stacked lotus bases and fasten them together, then make a belt out of red paper, thus completing a joss paper lotus (“liân-hue kim” in Hokkien). During Chinese New Year, when celebrating the Jade Emperor’s birthday on the ninth day of the first lunar month, a pair of those are required.

The ninth day of the first lunar month marks the Jade Emperor’s birthday, also dubbed “thiⁿ-kong senn”, “thiⁿ-kong tàn” or “thiⁿ-kong ji̍t”, the most important occasion of the Hokkien clan. Legend has it that during an invasion, Hokkien villagers hid in sugarcane fields in order to flee from massacre, only returning home after the troops have completely retreated, on the ninth day of the first lunar month. To show gratitude for the Jade Emperor’s blessing, the survivors held an elaborate ceremony with sumptuous offerings, among which sugarcane is a must-have. Other clans also celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday, to pray for safety, however customs vary across regions.

Joss paper dedicated to the Jade Emperor is called “thiⁿ-kong kim”, the area covered in gold foil is larger in comparison with other joss papers, therefore the most expensive deity currency. “Thiⁿ-kong kim” is folded into distinctive shapes such as ingot or lotus using traditional techniques, then burnt during the praying ceremony as a token of respect and appreciation. During mass emigration to Southeast Asia, joss paper folding techniques from various localities were brought over, the most common being tribute gold ingot, however the age-old method of shaping a large gold ingot by combining two pieces of “thiⁿ-kong kim” is scarcely seen.

70-year-old Madam Tan Siew Hong learnt traditional joss paper folding techniques from her mother since a young age. Later on, when her younger brother set up a praying supplies business, she is able to provide valuable help. Their house at Taman Sin Tat, Raja Uda, Butterworth, also serves as a warehouse, the roof beams are full of hanging joss paper lotuses handmade by Madam Tan. Tribute gold ingots and large gold ingots are folded into semi-completed products and packed, customers will then need to pry open each piece into shape during the praying ceremony.

Ethnic Chinese constitute the plurality of Penang’s state population, among which Hokkien clan is the majority, the ritual of celebrating the Jade Emperor’s birthday is well upheld, presumably the most important occasion of Chinese New Year celebration in Penang. After preparing food offerings and paying respect by burning incense sticks, “thiⁿ-kong kim” is piled mountain-high, symbolising moving onwards and upwards, after burning the paper offerings, firecrackers and fireworks are set off to mark the conclusion of the ceremony. Madam Tan needs to start folding “thiⁿ-kong kim” at least a month ahead of Chinese New Year, to be sold at her brother’s shop. Nevertheless, they almost always sell out, last-minute shopper will even sit by her and wait for her to finish folding “thiⁿ-kong kim”.

After a hectic Chinese New Year, the next busy periods for Madam Tan are tomb-sweeping festival and ghost festival, where she needs to fold joss paper relevant to the occasion as well as pack appropriate paper offerings into sets. Paper offering sets are an effective way to avoid mistakes in praying rituals, as the types of joss paper and paper offerings vary according to the occasion.

Decline in religious affiliation occur due to the pressure of leading fast-paced lives, however maintaining a heart full of gratitude opens up the door for continued blessings, therefore the ritual of celebrating the Jade Emperor’s birthday is still being upheld. The techniques of folding joss paper dedicated to the Jade Emperor have become simplified, not many have the time or patience to continue practising the complicated, old-fashioned way. It is truly wonderful of Madam Tan who is always willing to share traditional “thiⁿ-kong kim” folding skills and provide guidance.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Joss Paper House

Standing at 21ft tall and 24ft wide, the joss paper house is built on a grand scale according to traditional Mǐnnán architecture layout, featuring ornate decorations. The frame is made of bamboo slivers tied together using paper strings, layers of vivid coloured paper are pasted as walls, balconies, and pavilions. Illuminated by colourful LED light strips, the entire joss paper house sparkles. In traditional Chinese beliefs, a deceased person’s soul would depart to the Underworld, therefore the Hokkien clan would dedicate comfortable joss paper houses to their dead relatives. 

Hokkien ancestor veneration revolves around filial piety. As a tribute to deceased parents, to mark the end of the three-year mourning period, the bereaved family would engage Buddhist monks or Taoist priests to facilitate merit dedication rituals to help their ancestors achieve enlightenment. Legend has it Emperor Taizong of Tang dynasty visited the Underworld in a dream, upon returning to the mortal world he organised merit dedication rituals for departed souls to atone for past misdeeds thus achieving enlightenment. Apart from joss paper houses, there are also gold and silver mountains, servants, sedan and carriages etc. are burned as offerings.

Toh Chooi Heng from Jenjarom has almost four decades of experience in crafting joss paper offerings, expertising in joss paper houses and Jade Emperor thrones (for use in Jade Emperor birthday celebration on the ninth day of the first lunar month). He has been helping his uncle crafting joss paper offerings since he was 11 years old, mastering the skills along the way. Having attempted various unsuccessful ventures during his youth, he returned to crafting joss paper offerings. As Toh settled his mind and paid full attention to his work, he patiently crafted elaborate and intricate joss paper houses. Even though the entire process is time-consuming and production capability is limited, he insist that the deceased should reside comfortably in an extravagant Underworld residence.

Toh’s joss paper houses are constructed in accordance with classic Mǐnnán folk dwellings, extending from the main hall in the center to symmetrical left and right wings, connecting to each other via corridors. The central courtyard is surrounded by rooms on all four sides: the South hall, the North hall, the East chamber, and the West chamber. The South hall is annexed to the gate, then comes the courtyard, where the East and West chambers sit on either wing. The North hall consists of major bedrooms and living space.

The topmost point of the joss paper house is the balcony, which offers moonlight view. Each storey is adorned with paper effigies symbolizing good fortune, such as Top Scholar Street Parade, Nezha rampages across the East Sea, the Eight Immortals etc. Furthermore, the 24 instances of filial piety are depicted, in the hopes of descendants continue to uphold virtues. The main entrance occupies the middle spot, winged by gardens and ponds, with arched bridges and ten pavilions.

The fundamental skill of crafting joss paper houses is to tie bamboo slivers using paper strings, which is harder than it looks, requiring ambidextrous coordination to build a solid frame thus preventing structure failure. Upon mastering this skill, one may move on to learn to construct paper columns proportionate to the building’s dimensions. Next up is the basic layer of white paper, on which coloured paper is pasted, then seal the corners. Sections of the joss paper house are completed separately, piled onto a lorry for delivery to the ritual altar to be assembled on the spot and to add on the paper effigies.

Advancing technology gave Toh the idea of illuminating joss paper houses with LED light strips. He does not stick firmly to tradition, but is open to creativity challenges. If customers decided on a joss paper bungalow, he is able to create a replica based on photos provided by customers. The scale dimension of a joss paper house is subject to spatial constraints, i.e. adequate space for open burning. Due to the time-consuming process of crafting joss paper houses and thereafter assembling at the ritual altar, Toh needs to estimate delivery time carefully in order to prevent double-booking himself, since he is unable to be in two places at the same time.

Even though their forebearers emigrated overseas a century ago, traditional cultural values such as ancestor veneration are still embedded within the Malaysian Chinese community, and traditional mortuary rituals are still being practised. Toh Chooi Heng observed that as times change, traditional rituals are getting simplified, traditional trades such as crafting joss paper offerings might slowly die out. However he feels optimistic as current market competition positively influence fellow craftsmen to produce higher quality handiworks, instead of the other way round.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Pertama Electronic Services

Power supply boards, printed circuit boards, and transistors are puzzles levels to be solved, screwdrivers and soldering irons are handy weapons, while copper wires and various spare parts are regular inventory items. To father-son duo Chiew Soon Foo and Chiew Chin Hong, repairing domestic appliances is an exciting game, to clear levels with all stars is an achievement they intently seek. From large appliances like televisions, speakers, to small appliances like rice cookers, clothes irons would all be taken apart for a thorough inspection, faulty parts are then repaired or replaced, and the appliances would be in good working order after reassembling. 

Heading southwards from Klang on the Federal Route 5, passing by Jenjarom, a giant bridge over the Langat river connects to the streets of Banting. Banting is the principal town of Kuala Langat district, having developed from farmland to an agricultural and industrial hub within the past century, its main street is bustling with traffic. Pertama Electronic Services occupies a double-storey shophouse facing the main street, its predecessor being a grocery store founded by Chiew Soon Foo’s grandfather upon settling in Malaysia, hence the wooden signage bearing “Tuck Heap Huat” above the entrance.

Since his childhood, Chiew Soon Foo stayed on the second floor of the shophouse. After his grandfather passed away, his father took over the reins of the grocery store. Having completed Form Three, Chiew Soon Foo dropped out of school, working at a furniture manufacturer during the day while studying electrical and electronic repairs at night. Upon completion of his diploma, he worked at Klang for six years before returning to Banting to start his own business. In the beginning, Chiew Soon Foo took up a corner of his father’s shopfront, and went performing on-site services around neighbouring villages. He gradually made a name for himself, customers would send their appliances to the shop for repairs, as well as refer him to their friends and family. Since the grocery business was going downhill, after clearing out the inventory, the shop officially became a repair store. 

Shelves and tables inside the shop were handmade by Chiew Soon Foo with his furniture manufacturing skills, whereby at home he is in charge of all maintenance and repairs. All along, Chiew Soon Foo works together with his wife and son, without hiring helpers. His wife, See Pey, who has no prior knowledge, went on to become a steady assistant, from coiling copper wires, soldering, to reassembling appliances. His son, Chiew Chin Hong, who sparked a keen interest since a tender age, joined him in the repair shop after graduating from school. Together they continually explore, practice, and master progressive skills in repairing electrical appliances. 

Electrical technicians make a living using their skills, charging fees which include parts, materials, and labour, yet may not be profitable. The Chiew father and son will negotiate prices with customers, the repair job will only be carried out upon achieving a mutual agreement. From finding the faulty parts to completing repairs or replacements, the entire process usually take two to three days. If the parts are hard to come by, which requires sourcing online, it will take a longer time, even without taking into account that the parts ordered online might not be suitable. Certain antiquated parts have been discontinued and therefore could not be replaced, in such cases Chiew Soon Foo is powerless despite his talent in appliances repairs. 

Back when supplies were scarce, domestic appliances were rare and precious, repairing was more cost-efficient than buying a new one. Nowadays domestic appliances have became daily necessities at affordable prices with a warranty period. In case of faulty or damage, most would opt for making a new purchase rather than sending for repairs. Chiew Soon Foo laments that discarding broken appliances is not environmentally friendly, to repair is a sustainable practice which may extend their lifespan as well as reduce e-waste. If customers no longer want their appliances back, Chiew Soon Foo will retain usable parts and send the remaining to registered collection facilities.

Cathode-ray tube televisions and radios, cassette players, videocassette recorders were rendered obsolete by advancing technology, and cannot be repurchased once discarded. Some may retain them for the sake of nostalgia, even though they have fallen into disuse. Through the magical skills of a repair technician, they might once again be in a usable condition, so why not?

Pertama Electronic Services is Chiew Soon Foo’s pledge to put in patience and effort to achieve the best outcome. The family of three enjoy working together, to them, life is always fun and never boring.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2022 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD