 Loke
Yew is a famous businessman and philanthropist during the British Malaya era. He
is played a significant role in the growth of Kuala Lumpur and is one of the
founding fathers of Victoria Institution.
Early life
Loke Yew was born in 1845, and spent his childhood as a farm hand in San Wui,
southern China before he decided to set sail to Malaya when he was 13 to improve
his fortunes.
After arriving in Malaya, Loke took on his first job at Kwong Man, a provision
shop in Market Street earning a mere $20 a month but four years later, with a
savings of $99, he started his own provision store called Tong Hing Loong. The
ambitious youngster soon grew restless and left his staff in charge of the store
while he traveled to Perak to explore the tin mining business.
He took many risks and worked hard and although he lost $60,000 in his first
four years, he finally hit the jackpot when he found a rich tin deposit in Kling
Bahru. The stroke of luck changed his life and was the beginning of his family's
legacy. Loke then went on to own many tin mines, rubber and coconut plantations.
He also dabbled in supplying provisions to British troops during the Perak War,
monopolized liquor sales, managed a pawn broking establishment and held licenses
to run gambling tables.
Businesses
Loke Yew was the largest shareholder in Pahang Motor Car Service, owned shares
in the Raub Straits Trading Company, Straits Steamship and Federal Engineers,
partly owned Burmah Rice Mill, made investments in properties all over Singapore
and Malaya. He played a leading role in establishing Kwong Yik Bank, which
opened in July 1915.
His son, Wan Tho, along with his fourth wife, Lim Cheng Kim, established
Associated Theatres Ltd in 1936, which was renamed Cathay Organization. They
later built Singapore's first skyscraper, the Cathay Building, in 1939.
Humility
Loke Yew was generally the least expensively dressed man in his own office, used
second-hand motorcars for transport and often went to work by rickshaw instead.
There is a story that one rainy day his wife went in their car to fetch him home
from their estate and found him soaking wet with a hoe in hand showing a coolie
how to dig.
Despite his wealth and success, he would never forget his struggles and sought
to help others.
Family life
Loke married four times and his fourth wife, Lim Cheng Kim, whom he married in
1914 bore him three children – Wan Tho, Yuen Theng and Yuen Peng.
The Loke Mansion at Jalan Medan Tuanku, which is currently abandoned, was bought
by Loke in 1892 from tin miner Chow Ah Yoke. At that time, the mansion was 30
years old and over the next 12 years, Loke renovated and upgraded the house
making it one of the most prestigious residences in Asia. Loke's family lived in
the home until the 1930s. The Loke Mansion was also the first house in Malaya to
receive electricity.
Contributions
Although he became rich, he was excessively careful about petty expenditure. Yet
in the greater scheme of things, he was extremely generous.
The successful businessman also strongly believed in the importance of education
and was one of the founders who established Victoria Institution. The University
of Hong Kong had also benefited from his charity and returned the favor by
conferring an honorary Doctor of Laws, (LL.D.) degree on him.
His compassionate nature also led to him lending help to many charitable causes
including the establishment of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore.
Death
He died on 24 February 1917 from malaria, his funeral was once the grandest at
that time. A bronze statue of him was erected in front of his graveyard, Loke
Yew was buried at his-owned estate Hawthornden Estate, somewhere outside Kuala
Lumpur. Loke Yew also contribute to the Chinese communities in China, Hong Kong,
Singapore and Taiwan.
Honors
Loke Yew's many contributions to education and the growth of Kuala Lumpur earned
him many honors.
British Order
During his heyday, Loke Yew was one of the pioneers in developing Kuala Lumpur
town. He received Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, (C.M.G.)
from the British Government for his efforts and contributions on helping the
people and the government of British Malaya.
Roads
Today Jalan Loke Yew (Malay; English: Loke Yew Road) in Kuala Lumpur and Loke
Yew Street in Singapore were named after him.
Jalan Loke Yew is one of those roads that are constantly mentioned on air during
hourly traffic reports on congestion especially during peak hours. The road
together with Jalan Cheras forms the Cheras Highway, which was built by Metramac
Corporation but is now maintained and managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Today,
Jalan Loke Yew is home to many low-cost flats as well as the huge shopping
complex UE3.
Honorary doctorate
Dr Loke Yew was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws, (LL.D.) degree on him by
the University of Hong Kong , which benefited from his charity and steadfast
belief in the value of education.
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