Esso was introduced to Sibu when I was a teenager and the brand was associated with a Heng Hua family surnamed Lau which owned a shop at Blacksmith Road. Although Esso was established in 1912 in TEXAS,and spread world wide,it came quite late in Sibu. It has a special place in the community of Sibu.
Thus the Heng Hua family who owned Seng Giap Service Station was popularly known as the ESSO family as they operated the only ESSO petrol station, serving the Sibu community well. their competitor was the Foochow Wong family who supplied SHELL.
One of the ESSO sons-in-law, if I am not mistaken by the name of Ah Seng, was a genius car mechanic. He was good with all the rough cars like Land Rovers, and European brands. This was a double bonus for all those who patronised ESSO station.
Besides, many Chinese and Malay families from Kampong Nyabor found their petrol station within walking distance. So they just walked to the petrol station to buy a dollar's or even a few cents' worth of kerosene for the week. In the early 60's gas stoves were still not household utilities yet.
The Petrol Station was also a good place for people to meet up. Next to it was the Sibu Boys' Club basketball court. Students would gather outside the petrol station to wait for each other.
The towkay neo was a terrific boss lady and she called all the shots. I used to think that she was so lucky to be rich and confident.
Esso was the brand name of Exxon Mobil and had 120 petrol stations in the whole of Malaysia.
Like so many well to do families in Sibu, this family moved to New Zealand in the 80's when their children required a good secondary school education.
The Fujian Migratory Map (Go to the southern ocean) is now spreading even further south.
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