Eu Tong Sen made his fortune in tin and rubber in Malaya. Cheated death on at least two occasions, he went on to lead a luxurious lifestyle with his 11 wives, 13 sons and 11 daughters, and give back to society at the same time. During his life time (1877 – 1941) he owned many properties including mansions in Singapore and Hong Kong. But his lasting legacy turned out to be a gift from his father Eu Kong when he turned two. Photos courtesy of Phang See Kong from Gopeng Museum.
By Foong Pek Yee
July 17, 2024
For the Eu family, July 23 is an auspicious date.
Eu Kong’s first born and only son, Eu Tong Sen, was born on July 23, 1877.
And on July 23, 1879, Eu Kong set up a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shop in Gopeng, about 17 km from Ipoh, to celebrate his heir’s second birthday.
Aptly named Yan Sang ( meaning compassion and life) , the shop was aimed at helping migrant workers from China who arrived in Gopeng and nearby areas by the thousands to work in the tin mines.
It was the big tin rush in then Malaya.
But hardship, loneliness and frustrations soon set in for many of them who then took opium and got addicted to it.
Eu Kong used TCM to treat their addiction and debilitating health.
” Being grateful and giving back to society is an integral part of Chinese culture,” says Gopeng Museum founder and curator Phang See Kong.
Phang, 85, who is the author of a book titled ” A Meander down Memory Lane: Stories about the Chinese Pioneers in Gopeng, Perak (1850 – 2000), beams with pride whenever he talks about Gopeng.
He says he is very grateful that the Eu family has donated a row of single storey shoplots along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng to house the Gopeng Museum.
” This is a historical place and is priceless.”
The site where Yan Sang shop was once located is walking distance from the museum. It is now a modern concrete building and occupied by a bank.
In the late 19th century: these single storey units along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng were stables for Eu Kong’s horses .
In the 21st century: These single storey shoplots along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng houses the Gopeng Museum.
Anything Gopeng: Phang See Kong, 85, was a teacher and headmaster in Gopeng. From the 1990s to 2008 he was the special assistant to Gopeng Member of Parliament and Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh.
Against the backdrop of a turbulent era, the Eu family had its fair share of challenges.
In 1891, the 14 -year old Tong Sen survived a skin rash that killed Eu Kong( 1853 – 1891).
Two years later, Eu Kong’s second wife Mun Woon Chang (1857- 1893) died mysteriously on board a ship while Tong Sen and her 10-year-old adopted daughter Zu Yi miraculously survived.
The trio were on a visit to the Eu’s ancestral home in Foshan, China and had a farewell dinner shortly before they boarded the ship to Malaya, according to a book by Ilsa Sharp, titled Path of the Righteous Crane: The Life and Legacy of Eu Tong Sen.
There were allegations of poisoned food.
But fate had it that Mun – a shrewd, sophisticated and well-connected businesswoman- had already put in place her plans for Tong Sen to receive English education.
She felt that the few years of classic Chinese education Tong Sen received from his fengshui master grandfather Eu He Song ( 1822- 1886)in his formative years was not enough to prepare Tong Sen to navigate life and do great things.
Tong Sen had his English education in Penang and Ipoh from 1892 to 1898
Turning 21 in 1898 and ready to inherit the estate from his late parents, only to discover that his paternal uncles had already depleted the business.
Fortunately Tong Sen and Zu Yi who had offered to sell her jewellery to salvage Yan Sang managed to do so.
His education and exposure to Chinese and Western culture had given him an edge on life in the colonial era.
In his 20s, Tong Sen rose to become a prominent tycoon in tin mining and rubber and he continued to give back to society.
Among others, he and several tycoons joint force to spearhead an anti-opium and anti-gambling movement.
Tong Sen also donated to education and the needy.
He played the pianola and a big fan of the Chinese opera.
In 1910, Tong Sen renamed Yan Sang to Eu Yan Sang (EYS) and expanded it to Singapore.
While EYS might not be a big revenue earner for Tong Sen during his life time, EYS and TCM is his lasting legacy.
From its early days as Yan Sang and then EYS, the company has evolved to be a leader in TCM, and the company is currently valued at RM2.8 bil (SGD808 mil).
Yan Sang or EYS has played a vital role in the Chinese community since its inception 145 years ago.
Besides TCM services, the shop also doubled up as a place to help migrant workers, many being illiterate, correspond with their families in China and remit money home. The only means of correspondence then was by letters.
EYS continues to dominate the TCM sector since its inception, and it is a household name and a trusted brand for its quality-control.
Its range of goods and services has also evolved to meet modern day living; from herbal/tonic soups packages, drinks to Chinese festive hampers.
On June 5, 2024, Singapore’s ChanelNewsAsia (CNA) reported that a Japanese consortium – Mitsui & Co and Rohto Pharmaceutical -has acquired Eu Yan Sang for SGD695 mil (RM2.4 bil).
This is 86% of the deal that values Eu Yan Sang at about SGD808 mil ( RM2.8 bil)
EYS operates more than 170 retail stores and 30 clinics in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, according to the CNA report on June 5, 2024.
Eu Yan Sang International chairman Richard Eu, also Eu Kong’s great grandson says the 145 year old company is looking forward to “continuing our journey with Rohto Pharmaceutical and Mitsui”.
While Tong Sen was a tycoon with vast assets in Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong via his business in tin mining and rubber, Eu Yan Sang remained close at heart for him and some members in his family.
Tong Sen passed away in Hong Kong on May 11, 1941 ; and the Japanese troops descended on Hong Kong on Christmas Day that same year.
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