Background of Tan Hiok Nee

Since I am still a child, I always heard my mother and father told me that there is a man that is really awesome. During that time, I only know nothing about this man except his name. His name is called Tan Hiok Nee. I only remember that my father told me he is a rich people at that time. Now, I feel curious about this man because I realise that there is a road named after him at the Johor town.

Tan Hiok Nee was born in a Teochew family from China in 1827. He started to work as a cloth peddler in Singapore. He frequently visit to Wan Abu Bakar’s which the Temenggong of Johor house in Telok Blangah of Singapore, so he became a friend of the royal family. He has married with the cousin of the Temenggong of Johor. He extended his textile business to Johor Bahru at the place that he stay and now called ‘ Jalan Tan Hiok Nee’. After that, he obtained his first ‘surat sungai’ (river document) of Bukit Berangan, a tributary of the Johor River and began the cultivation of pepper and gambier. Its made his became the largest holder of kangchu concessions and the wealthiest and most influential Chinese in Johor. Kangchu mean the master of the river bank. Besides,he has own several lots and lands in the center of the Johor. In 1854, he started to develop the left bank of the Johor river. At last, he has seven kangchu right and became the most prominent businessman in Johor.

In 1875, he gave up his connection with Johor and sold all his concessions and withdrawing completely from Johor to settle in Singapore. However, in 1885 he sold off his house in Singapore and moved to China because of the noise of the nearby railway. He passed away at the age of 75 because of sick on 21 May 1902. In his life, he has 5 children and all his child pass away before him. Moreover, he also has 8 grandsons and some of his grandson inherited his properties and were well known within the Teochew community. One of his grandson which name Tan Chin Hean was the president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and headed the Teochew Huay Kuan.

The street that name after him was developed to commemorate the contributions of Mr.Tan Hiok Nee. However, this place has become a underworld gathering area because of the cold-shouldered by the government. Until 2009, this street has been given a new image because it was officially recognize by the Johor State Government as a heritage street. There is a lot of historical shop and tourist attraction at and nearby Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk. To hear more juicy story about Tan Hiok Nee, you can visit to Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum at Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street.

Also, let us check out how is the look of Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in 2019!

Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory

This is the oldest bakery shop at the Johor Bahru town. It operating since the year 1919, so this year is the 100th anniversary of the shop. This bakery shop is famous because it still maintains using the firewood oven to bake the cakes and buns. The top selling of their shop is the Banana Cake. A lot of tourist come from other countries come here to buy their banana cake. Besides, they also sell a lot of buns such as coconut bun, kaya bun, otak bun and others. It taste really good and you must try it when you come to Johor Bahru.

The timetable of the Hiap Joo Bakery:

Address: 13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru,80000 Johor Bahru

Price: The price of the banana cake is RM10 for 10pcs and RM5 for 5 pcs. The price of the bun is between RM4 to RM5.

Restaurant Hua Mui

Restaurant Hua Mui is a Hainanese restaurant that operating since 1946. It is located at the opposite site of the Tan Hiok Nee heritage walk. It server Malaysia local breakfast, Western dishes and other Chinese dishes. Besides, it has halal certificate so there is also a lot of Malays having their meals at here. Their most popular dishes is the Hainanese Chicken Chop.

Address: 131, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Operating hour: 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Daily opening)

Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple

This Indian temple is originally builds in 1911. It is the one of the oldest Indian temple in Johor which is over a hundred years old. It was first known as the Mariamman Temple, the word ‘Raja’ was added in appreaciation to the previous Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim.

Johor Chinese Old Temple

This temple was the one of the oldest standing religious structures in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. A lot of foreigner come to visit this temple. The local Chinese community has said that the temple was built by religious Chinese leaders at the time, headed by a man named Mr Tan Hiok Nee. This 130 year old Chinese temple is the symbol of unity among the five different Chinese dialect groups (Teochow, Hakka, Hainanese, Hokkien and Cantonese) Every years, this temple will organize a Chingay around the Johor town.

I have attempt the Chingay on 2017, it really a lot of people. Everyone felling very exited and the atmosphere is very lively. There will be a lot of performance such as lion dance, dragon dance and others.The Sultan of Johor also attempt the Chingay. This annual celebration typically attracts over 300,00 people, visitors and tourist to witness this special event. Some of the Johorean said that, the Chinese New Year only end after this Chingay.

How to reached Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk

If you are come from Singapore, it is very easy to reached Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk. When you come out from the Malaysia custom, you can use the link bridge that link to City Square Shopping Mall and come out to another exit of the City Square Mall. When you come out from the exit of the City Square Mall, just go straight and cross the road, turn to your left and walk about 5 minutes, turn right and you will reach the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk and other historical place located nearby.

Map of the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk

Waze user can search: Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

Source: Wikipedia (2011) Johor biggest Kangchu during 19th century. Availeble at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tan_Hiok_Nee.jpg [Accessed: 20 March 2019].