CHEONG YOKE CHOY (1873-1958)

Cheong Yoke Choy (1873–1958) was a prominent pioneering figure in early 20th-century Kuala Lumpur. He is primarily remembered as a successful businessman, a major philanthropist, and a leader within the Chinese community.

Key Facts About Cheong Yoke Choy

1. Pioneering Entrepreneur: He was a highly successful tin miner and banker. Notably, he co-founded Kwong Yik Bank in 1915, which was the first local Chinese bank in Malaya.
2. Philanthropist: Often referred to as "The Elderly Philanthropist" (Ci Shan Lao Ren), he contributed significantly to education. He founded the Pak Peng Free School in 1918 to provide free education to poor families and co-founded several other Chinese schools.
3. Community Leader: He held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a trustee for the Xian Si Shi Ye temple and holding positions in various Chinese associations (such as the Kwong Siew Association).
4. Wartime Contributions: During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was a strong supporter of anti-Japanese movements and relief funds. He was appointed president of the Kwang Tung Chinese Home-Relief Association in 1938.
5. Recognition: In recognition of his service, the British colonial government appointed him as a Justice of Peace (JP) and awarded him the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The Cemetery 

The image shows the Cheong Yoke Choy Cemetery located at Jalan Kerayong, Bukit Seputeh, K.L. (part of the larger Kwong Tong Cemetery grounds).

• Significance: Despite his immense wealth, his final resting place is described as relatively simple, consisting of a tombstone next to burial mounds.
• Legacy: His grandson, Professor Cheong Kee Cheok (a respected economist), eventually wrote a biography about him titled "Cheong Yoke Choy (1873–1958): A Grandson Looks Back" to document his history and values.

Google Gemini AI

2/2/2026: 2.50 p.m

HAWTHORNDEN ESTATE (WANGSA MAJU)

The image captures a scene from the 1968 classic film Anak Bapak, starring the legendary P. Ramlee. The location is Hawthornden Estate, a site that holds deep historical significance for the development of modern Kuala Lumpur.

Origins and Ownership

Hawthornden Estate was established in October 1888 in an area then known as "Ulu Gonggang." It was originally opened by J.A. Toynbee (a former manager of Weld’s Hill Estate) and several partners including representatives from the Chartered Bank and the Borneo Company.

However, its most famous owner was the tycoon and philanthropist Loke Yew. Under his ownership, the estate was a massive rubber plantation that spanned much of what we now know as Bukit Dinding and its surrounding foothills.

Cinematic Legacy

The estate's lush greenery and structured rubber trees made it a popular filming location during the Golden Age of Malay Cinema.

• "Anak Bapak" (1968): In the film, P. Ramlee plays Harun, a plantation manager. The image shows him leaning on a Mini Moke, a vehicle that became iconic through his films.
• "The Seventh Dawn" (1964): This Hollywood production starring William Holden was also filmed around Bukit Dinding/Hawthornden Estate, depicting the Malayan Emergency.

Transformation into Wangsa Maju

By the 1980s, the era of massive rubber plantations in Kuala Lumpur came to an end.

• National Defense: In the early 80s, parts of the estate were acquired by the Ministry of Defence (KEMENTAH).
• Urbanization: The vast acreage was rezoned for residential use. This led to the birth of Wangsa Maju (the name being a shortened version of "Titiwangsa Maju") and Setiawangsa.
• Legacy: Today, the only major remnant of the original estate is Bukit Dinding, which serves as a "green lung" for the city. Loke Yew himself was buried within the estate; his tomb remains a hidden historical landmark in the area.

The Mini Moke in "Anak Bapak" (1968)

In the film Anak Bapak, P. Ramlee’s character, Harun, frequently uses the Mini Moke to navigate the vast Hawthornden Estate. The vehicle's rugged yet stylish open-top design perfectly complemented the "modern man" persona Ramlee often portrayed during his era at Merdeka Studio in Hulu Kelang.

• Design: The model used was a classic British Leyland Mini Moke, characterized by its low profile and lack of doors, which made it ideal for the tropical plantation setting.
• Cultural Icon: Following the film's success, the Mini Moke became a symbol of leisure and style in Malaysia, often associated with the "swinging sixties" aesthetic.
• Preservation: Many fans and car enthusiasts in Malaysia still maintain vintage Mini Mokes today as a tribute to P. Ramlee’s cinematic legacy.

Google Gemini AI

29 January 2026: 9.44 a.m

SULEIMAN COURT : KL'S FIRST HIGH-RISE

The image you shared is a rare historical glimpse of Sulaiman Court (or Suleiman Courts), a landmark that holds a significant place in Malaysian urban history. It wasn't just a building; it represented the birth of modern high-rise living in Kuala Lumpur.

The Legacy of Sulaiman Court

• Malaysia's First High-Rise: Completed in 1958, it was the country’s first-ever high-rise low-cost housing project. It was commissioned by the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, to provide affordable urban housing as the nation approached independence.

• Design & Structure: It consisted of three blocks (A, B, and C) with a total of 295 units. Block A was the tallest at 11 stories, while Blocks B and C were 4 stories high.

• A New Way of Life: When it first opened, many Malaysians were hesitant to live so high off the ground. To encourage residents, the government offered the first six months of rent for free.

• Modernist Architecture: The building featured a distinct Modernist style, which was a massive departure from the colonial-era shop houses and wooden dwellings that dominated KL at the time.

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Where was it located?

Sulaiman Court was located on Batu Road (now known as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman). If you were to stand on that exact spot today, you would be standing in front of the SOGO Shopping Complex.

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Why was it demolished?

Despite its historical value and the close-knit community that lived there for nearly three decades, the building was demolished in 1986. The site was considered "prime real estate" in the heart of the city, and the government decided to redevelop the area into the commercial hub it is today.

Many former residents still hold "reunion" gatherings to reminisce about the days spent in those flats, which they remember as a place of great racial harmony and community spirit.

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Fun Fact: The building was named after Suleiman bin Abdul Rahman, who was the Minister of Interior and Justice at the time and played a key role in the Housing Trust.

Today, the site where Sulaiman Court once stood is occupied by the SOGO Shopping Mall (formerly Pernas-SOGO), which opened in 1994.

In 2026, the landscape has changed dramatically:

1. Commercial Hub: The quiet residential atmosphere of the 1950s flats has been replaced by one of Kuala Lumpur's busiest retail districts. The intersection of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Dang Wangi is now a major focal point for shoppers.

2. Modern Infrastructure: The area is now heavily integrated with KL's public transport system. The Bandaraya LRT station and the Bank Negara KTM station are just a short walk away, surrounded by high-rise office towers and modern hotels.

3. Urban Transformation: While Sulaiman Court was only 11 stories tall, the skyline behind SOGO now features massive skyscrapers. The "low-cost housing" concept has moved further out of the city center, leaving this area purely for commerce and tourism.

Looking at your original photo and comparing it to the modern SOGO building, it is hard to imagine that the very first high-rise apartments in Malaysia were once right there!

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Google AI Gemini
10 January 2026: 10.17 a.m

PROJET: MALAYSIA'S FULE NOSTALGIA

The image you provided captures a piece of Malaysian "fuel nostalgia"—the ProJET petrol station in Wangsa Maju (specifically Seksyen 5), located right next to what was then the Carrefour hypermarket (now AEON Big).

ProJET is remembered by many Malaysians for its modern "Superstation" concept and its signature foot-long hotdogs. Here is the history of the brand's brief but impactful stint in Malaysia:

1. The Arrival (1999)

ProJET was established in 1999 as a joint venture between the American oil giant ConocoPhillips and the Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad.

• A Historic License: It was the first foreign company in 30 years to be granted a license to operate petrol stations in Malaysia, breaking the long-standing status quo held by Petronas, Shell, Esso, Mobil, and Caltex.

• The "Superstation" Concept: ProJET aimed to revolutionize the fueling experience. Their stations were typically larger, brighter, and featured more pumps than traditional stations at the time.

2. Market Innovations

ProJET introduced several features that are now industry standards in Malaysia but were "cool" and new in the early 2000s:

• Destina Convenience Stores: Their in-house brand, Destina, was famous for its snacks. The "self-prepared" foot-long hotdogs became a cult favorite among locals and car enthusiasts who used the stations as meeting points.

• Credit Card Pioneer: They were among the first to aggressively push for credit card payments at the pump when most other brands still relied heavily on cash or indoor counters.

• Modern Branding: The bright yellow pylons (like the one in your photo) and the distinct "Jet" logo made them stand out on the highway.

3. The Exit (2007)

Despite the popularity of its brand and facilities, ProJET struggled to gain a significant foothold in the highly competitive Malaysian market.

• Market Share: By 2003, it only held about 1% of the local petroleum market.

• The Shell Acquisition: In August 2007, Shell Malaysia received government approval to acquire 100% of Conoco Jet (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

• Rebranding: Shell purchased all 44 ProJET stations (and 14 vacant land sites). Within six months, all ProJET stations were repainted and rebranded as Shell stations.

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Legacy

While ProJET is gone, it forced other players in the Malaysian market to upgrade their convenience stores and service standards. The Wangsa Maju station in your photo is now a Shell station, though many locals still refer to that specific area by its association with the old "ProJET and Carrefour" landmark.

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Google AI Gemini
10 January 2026: 10.12 a.m