Quah was born in Fujian, China in 1892. When young, Quah would travel all over his township and neighboring counties to sell toys and wares. His interest in metal ware started when he was an apprentice for a
blacksmith and made a career and business in blacksmithing.[1]
Business and career
In 1916, Quah travel to Singapore and founded Hiap Leong Kee which specialised in hardware construction equipment. During the
Second World War, Hiap Leong Kee was seized by the Japanese and Quah escaped to Malaysia and hid in the plantations. After the Japanese surrendered, Quah resumed Hiap Leong Kee and imported European and American products. Within a few years, Hiap Leong Kee was reestablished as a leading company by Quah
.In 1947 his company could supply complete range of building machinery, equipments and shipping parts.
Quah married Ms. Wen Ke Niang (
Chinese: 溫刻娘;
pinyin: WēnKèNiáng;
Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Un Khek-liông) in the year 1901, in China and together they have 6 sons and 3 daughters.
In the year 1928, Quah married Yeo Peck Gim (
Chinese: 姚碧吟;
pinyin: YáoBìYín;
Jyutping: Jiu4 Bik1 Jam4) in Singapore as his second wife and together they have 2 sons and 4 daughters.
Legacy
In recognition of Quah's contributions to society he was commemorated as follows:
In 1999 in the book that documents Beihong in Southeast Asia (悲鸿在星洲), Quah was mention for his heroic effort rescuing
Xu Beihong when the Japanese Empire invaded Singapore.[22][23]
In 2012, Quah Chin Lai was listed as among the Prominent Figures of the World Fujian Communities publication recounts the lives of some 150 Hokkien Singaporeans and records their achievements and contributions to Singapore over the past 200 years. It will be launched in November this year.[24][25]
In 2015,
World Scientific published a book about "Tan Lark Sye: Advocator And Founder Of Nanyang University" for Quah was mention for his contribution to Nanyang University.[26]
In 2019, Quah was listed in the Singapore Biographical Database.[27] The database presents an interface that allows users to search individual prominent Singapore Chinese personalities and displays a social network of interpersonal connections and affiliations between them. Apart from biographical information. Quah was listed in the first phase of this project focuses on 200 prominent Singapore Chinese personalities to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding of modern Singapore in 2019.[28][29]
Gallery
Quah Chin Lai conducting site survey for building Nanyang University in Singapore
Quah Chin Lai (right wearing white khaki shorts) Nanyang University ground inauguration
Quah Chin Lai (furthest right) hosting his grandson's wedding (Quah Chin Siong and Soh Beow Seng wedding) in 1970s at 4 Walton Road.
Quah Chin Lai contribution to Nanyang University (now known as NTU) in Tan Kah Kee
Pioneers' memorial Hall
Quah Chin Lai (left) a leading member of the Singapore trade mission delegation in Beijing, Aug 1956. Seen here with Mr. Tan Kah Kee (middle). Photo can be found in Xiamen University museum.
In 2021, Quah Chin Lai's eldest great-grandson (Quah Teng Koon 柯廷坤) and his wife established an
educational bursary in Singapore Nanyang Technological University to continue Mr Quah Chin Lai 's philanthropic spirit to perpetuate the importance of education.
Quah was born in Fujian, China in 1892. When young, Quah would travel all over his township and neighboring counties to sell toys and wares. His interest in metal ware started when he was an apprentice for a
blacksmith and made a career and business in blacksmithing.[1]
Business and career
In 1916, Quah travel to Singapore and founded Hiap Leong Kee which specialised in hardware construction equipment. During the
Second World War, Hiap Leong Kee was seized by the Japanese and Quah escaped to Malaysia and hid in the plantations. After the Japanese surrendered, Quah resumed Hiap Leong Kee and imported European and American products. Within a few years, Hiap Leong Kee was reestablished as a leading company by Quah
.In 1947 his company could supply complete range of building machinery, equipments and shipping parts.
Quah married Ms. Wen Ke Niang (
Chinese: 溫刻娘;
pinyin: WēnKèNiáng;
Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Un Khek-liông) in the year 1901, in China and together they have 6 sons and 3 daughters.
In the year 1928, Quah married Yeo Peck Gim (
Chinese: 姚碧吟;
pinyin: YáoBìYín;
Jyutping: Jiu4 Bik1 Jam4) in Singapore as his second wife and together they have 2 sons and 4 daughters.
Legacy
In recognition of Quah's contributions to society he was commemorated as follows:
In 1999 in the book that documents Beihong in Southeast Asia (悲鸿在星洲), Quah was mention for his heroic effort rescuing
Xu Beihong when the Japanese Empire invaded Singapore.[22][23]
In 2012, Quah Chin Lai was listed as among the Prominent Figures of the World Fujian Communities publication recounts the lives of some 150 Hokkien Singaporeans and records their achievements and contributions to Singapore over the past 200 years. It will be launched in November this year.[24][25]
In 2015,
World Scientific published a book about "Tan Lark Sye: Advocator And Founder Of Nanyang University" for Quah was mention for his contribution to Nanyang University.[26]
In 2019, Quah was listed in the Singapore Biographical Database.[27] The database presents an interface that allows users to search individual prominent Singapore Chinese personalities and displays a social network of interpersonal connections and affiliations between them. Apart from biographical information. Quah was listed in the first phase of this project focuses on 200 prominent Singapore Chinese personalities to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding of modern Singapore in 2019.[28][29]
Gallery
Quah Chin Lai conducting site survey for building Nanyang University in Singapore
Quah Chin Lai (right wearing white khaki shorts) Nanyang University ground inauguration
Quah Chin Lai (furthest right) hosting his grandson's wedding (Quah Chin Siong and Soh Beow Seng wedding) in 1970s at 4 Walton Road.
Quah Chin Lai contribution to Nanyang University (now known as NTU) in Tan Kah Kee
Pioneers' memorial Hall
Quah Chin Lai (left) a leading member of the Singapore trade mission delegation in Beijing, Aug 1956. Seen here with Mr. Tan Kah Kee (middle). Photo can be found in Xiamen University museum.
In 2021, Quah Chin Lai's eldest great-grandson (Quah Teng Koon 柯廷坤) and his wife established an
educational bursary in Singapore Nanyang Technological University to continue Mr Quah Chin Lai 's philanthropic spirit to perpetuate the importance of education.