Chew Hock Choon started off as a small shop selling Chinese medicine with some reading of pulses and presciption. It was not known how he started to have an interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine but soon he and his wife started to prosper as more and more people came to realise the value of their services and their accurate prescriptions.
Mr. Chew Chiong Tak was actually born in China and arrived in Sibu before the Japanese war at the age of 14! He eventually started the Hock Choon Dispensary with the able support of his wife. Many children, including me, were seen by Mrs. Chew (Madam Kiew Sui Nguk) who was a kind lady.
Mrs. Chew Chiong Tak actually carried on serving the people of Sibu by providing traditional herbal treatments until her old age.
My grandmother used to comfort me, "Don't worry about taking her bitter medicine. What is bitter is good for you." And after drinking the bitter soup, I would be given a small piece of rock sugar as a reward.
Over the years the couple educated their children well by sending them overseas. They truly believed in education. Their children are all qualified professionals.
But one son (James) and one daughter in law decided to carry on their business which really made the people of Sibu very happy. Hock Choon Dispensary was a trusted herbalist company.
I grew up recognising the skills of Grandma Chew and knowing how important it was to have trust and integrity in business. Service was always with a smile in their shop along Bank Road.
For a long time the people of Sibu would remember their old wooden cabinets and drawers which were full of herbs from China.
Pearl Powder from Grandmother Chew was a sure cure for heatiness and children's fever.
Besides, the 8 Treasure Herbs for Duck Soup was very popular and memorable. People would visit Sibu and bring back half a dozen packets as gifts for their relatives and friends overseas.
It is very meaningful to be able to visit a favourite herbalist in your old home town and talk about old days. This shop will always be part of the tapestry of my life in Sibu.
4 comments:
I know a little about the Chew family, because a member of the third generation is Dr John Chew, who's my classmate and good friend since 1965.
Chew Chiong Tak is the second generation. His wife Madam Kew consulted for patients until late in her life, and retired in 2012.
Thank you. I still call Madam Kew the grandmother generation. ie. there was a generation ahead of her ..thanks for the correction.The late James was my contemporary. Good cheerful businessman.
Thank you for your nice write up about my family. My grandfather Chew Sik Hiong came to Sibu in 1924 to start his Chinese Medical Practice as Hock Choon with a partner. His partner soon went back to China and the business became Chew Hock Choon. After the big Sibu fire in 1928 , the business moved to the present No 9, Bank Road.
My Father Chew Chiong Tack aged 13 then , joined my grandfather in 1937, accompanying my Uncle Ting Ung Kee who later started the Poh Guan at Old Street. He started going to School only in Sibu , going to Sacred Heart and Chung Hua High School , and remained all his life still the schools at the Board or Old Boys association.
My Mother Kiu Siu Nguk was a bright girl from Binatang , and my grandfather sought her out as a wife for his son during the Japanese Occupation. They married in 1942. My mother was a day student at the Convent School and a teacher in Binatang. After the war , she brought up the family as well as running a “finishing school” for young girls before marriage teaching them hair dressing and sewing . At night she would learnt from my grandfather the art of Chinese Medicine
My Grandfather passed away in 1959, and my grand uncle Mr Yao( father of the late Yao Ping Hua and grandfather to Dr Yao Sik Chi and the late Dr Yao Sik King ) started his Chinese medical practice at the shop. He was also a Methodist Pastor and I could remember a big entourage of students learning from him, my mother included. There was another Chinese Physician Mr Teng , a Heng Hua and he practiced acupuncture.
In the 70s , a branch was set up at KTS building. eventually my father took over the branch at 11, Workshop Road while the first born Uncle took over the business at no 9, Bank Road . I am glad that my nephews are continuing the family tradition there.
RanjangR, I am intrigued who you are . So my Father Chew Chiong Tack was second generation, and many Chinese Shops owners in Sibu learnt their trade at Chew Hock CHOON.
I am John Chew
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