Ting Ung Kee was an energetic Foochow man who was determined to do the best he could in Sibu.
He was born in Kutien and had married into a Chinese physician family. He memorized Chinese classics thoroughly according to a relative to impress his father in law who finally took him under his wings and taught him all he knew about Chinese medicine.
After he had a son, he decided to move to Sibu, then called New Foochow to seek his fortune. It was also during the war years in the 40's that he started a small shop called Poh Guan in Old Street. He even paddled a small boat selling Chinese medicine up to Ulu Balleh. He was unafraid of any dangers. When peace came he had established himself and soon his little half shop flourished.
He had many medical formulae which made him famous like Sing Gong Chui, Minyak Cap Rusa (for massage) etc. Poh Guan became a good place where people of all races stop by to buy medication. Foochows from all over the Rajang Valley would stop by to see the friendly and wise sin seh for some herbs and quick fixes.
Today, if you are a Foochow you would definitely have a bottle of Sing Gong Chui in your medicine cabinet. I do..and I won't leave home without a bottle or two, may be even half a dozen.
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