ONG Tjoe Kim 王梓琴
Pioneers of Singapore,
Accession Number 000151
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Quek Khiong Ho
Interviewer
- 01:43:26
Total Running Time
- Hokkien
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 4
Metadata
- 4 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family background. Living conditions in village during Civil War in 1927. Educated in missionary school. Reasons for joining father in Indonesia. Voyage to Jakarta. Life on board ship. Impression of Indonesia. Overcoming language barrier. Adapting to life in Indonesia. Worked in textile shop. How "Sin Kheh" (new immigrant) was treated. School subjects taught in China. Studied Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and Dutch in Indonesia.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 4 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Working conditions in shop. Reasons for working in Aurora Department Store. Career developments. Started partnership business in Surabaya in 1953. How "Metro" was chosen as name for store. Set up a chain of Metro department stores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong. How he started doing business after Japanese surrender. Reasons for setting up business in Singapore. Reasons for switching into holding company. Business concerns in Malaysia.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 11 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Metro stores in Indonesia put in nephews' charge. Reasons for setting up first Metro store at High Street. Subsequent setting up of various stores in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Retail experience at Aurora Department Store helped him launch his own business. Staff management. Diversification of business. How he got rid of old stock. Factors leading to success in business. His children's education and career.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 11 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:20:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Children went overseas for management training. Major decisions made by him. His religion, daily routine and recreation. Discrimination against "Totok" (immigrant) by "Peranakan" (local born) in Indonesia. Racial harmony in Singapore. Why Aurora Department Store closed down. How Metro acquired site for Orchard Square. His hope for future development of Orchard Square. Indifferent attitude of Indonesian Chinese when Japanese invaded Indonesia.
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