Lau Pang Ding : From Belly Button Covers to Western Suits

In the early days of Foochow settlement in Sibu, primary schools were set up in villages by the new pioneers who had started to gain a foothold financially. Churches and schools were built, encouraged by the Reverend James Hoover, and special land grant from the Rajah, or even land donated by the prospering rubber planters.

Ensurai and Nang Chong were two of the more prosperous villages and leader Lau Kah Tii was doing extremely well. He had established more than 5 primary schools by the 1930's. Kwong Nang School was one of the best in those days.

Lau Kah Tii,took over that special role from Wong Nai Siong, and helped many local Foochows.

 Lau Pang Ding, was Lau Kah Tii's fourth son who went to study in Guangzhou before the Second World War. He excelled in his studies and furthered his studies in Beijing, never to return to Sarawak for more than 40 years due to the breakdown of political ties because Sarawak and China, and later Malaysia and China. It was only in the 80's that political ties between Malaysia and China were re established.

Born in Ensurai, Lau Pang Ding received his early education at Kwong Nang Primary School (now Chung Cheng Primary School) before the Second World War. He was a child with a brilliant mind, well loved by teachers and especially his father. When he completed 6 years of Primary School, his father decided to send him and his younger brother Pang Hung to Guangzhou to further their education. An overseas education was an awesome gift to a child!

He is considered one of the best products of Kwong Nang School of Nang Chong, Sibu.



Uncle Pang Hung left Guangzhou before the war, and came back to Sibu because of poor health while Uncle Pang Ding continued to live and study in China throughout the war years and the change of government (1949). He later went to Beijing to continue his studies and joined the PRC government civil service. He retired from his Consulate Service in 1990.

In 1989 he came back to visit his brothers and sisters, and cousins. It was an amazing reunion in Sibu. He had met his brothers in Washington DC and Canada when he served in the Chinese Consulate in Washington DC. His elder brother Pang Shu lived in Canada. He led an inspiring life!!

Brothers, sisters , cousins and nephews ad nieces and in laws at the Sibu Old Airport.