Source: Provided by Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hoey Kuan

Chen Ri Qiang

Skilled in Business

Chen Ri Qiang, courtesy name Nai Diao, was a native of Fengshan Village, Engchoon. As early as the Qing Dynasty, some people in Fengshan Village were engaged in the goods transportation business. Chen Ri Qiang’s father was a goods transportation merchant, conducting business between Engchoon and Nanyang. Before World War II, he had already established the Hesheng Grocery in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, which also dealt in tin ore trading. Later, he opened Quansheng in Sungai Besi and Quanfa in Kajang, both of which dealt in groceries and tin ore trading. Finally, he set up Quan Feng Cloth Shop on Hokkien Street, which also engaged in Chinese remittances, and nearby, he established Fengyu, specializing in rubber. He also opened the Xin Feng Coconut Oil Factory and an amusement park property in Klang. The scope of his business activities was quite extensive at that time.

From Chen Ri Qiang’s experience, it is evident that running grocery stores was the most common business activity for Engchoon people in Malaya. Engchoon people excelled at integrating the sale of other primary products, including tin ore and rubber, with their grocery stores. These stores provided daily necessities, allowing customers to buy on credit and settle their accounts later when they sold their tin ore or rubber sheets. This flexible business acumen showcased the ingenuity of the Engchoon people.

Establishing
the Engchoon Association

According to records from the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association, Engchoon people had established themselves in Kuala Lumpur by the late 19th century, primarily concentrating in the Kampung Baru area, along Jalan Hale (now Jalan Raja Abdullah), Jalan Kamanting, Jalan Yap Ah Shak, and Jalan Doraisamy. At one point, there were over a hundred Engchoon households living in this area. Chen Ri Qiang, along with most of the prominent Engchoon figures who initiated the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association, resided in the Kampung Baru vicinity.

Due to the high concentration of Engchoon residents, their successful business ventures, and their close connections with Engchoon communities outside Kuala Lumpur, they recognized the need for a formal organization. Without such an organization, it would be challenging to unite the Engchoon people and strengthen their business foundations to compete with other dialect groups. Led by Chen Ri Qiang, Chen Peng Xiang, Yan Pang Hu, Huang Chong Ji, Hong Jin Cong, Chen Ren Yun, Lin Bang Ling, and Huang Zhen Xiu, the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association was finally established in 1924, becoming the first geo-dialect association among the Hokkien dialect group in Kuala Lumpur.

In its early days, the association temporarily used the second floor of Chen Ri Qiang’s Quan Feng Company on Hokkien Street as an office. They immediately organized meetings with fellow Engchoon people in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the establishment of the association, showcasing Chen Ri Qiang’s leadership within the community. In early March 1926, the Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association held a general meeting and decided to purchase three plots of land by the Klang River for building the association hall. The meeting also reviewed the draft constitution, approved the application for government registration, and elected Chen Ri Qiang, Chen Cang Xiang, Yang Lian Xi, Lin Xing Hao, Chen Peng Xiang, Hong Jin Cong, Yan Pang Hu, and Huang Chong Ji as the responsible figures for the construction project.

On December 2, 1928, at 2 pm, the association held its annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur and elected the first board of directors for year of 1929. The association officially commenced operations, unanimously electing Chen Ri Qiang as the president.

Dedicated to Public Welfare

Chen Ri Qiang was known for his philanthropy and generosity, often acting as a mediator for his fellow townspeople, earning their deep respect and affection. He served as the president and property trustee of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association. Additionally, he held positions as a board member for Confucian School, Kuen Cheng Girls’ School, National School, Chong Hwa School, and Chong Hwa Girls’ School. He also played significant roles in the General Chamber of Commerce, Tung Shin Hospital, the Government Old Folks Home, Ji Yi Pavilion, etc.

The Kuala Lumpur Engchoon Association was established under the leadership of Chen Ri Qiang, and the association building was completed under his leadership

Source: Provided by Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hoey Kuan

Author of this article: TEE BENG LEE