LOCATED along the busy Beach Street in George Town, there’s a rattan and bamboo shop that sells an assortment of rattan products deemed essential for daily use.
Established in 1957, the pre-war shophouse, known as Seang Hin Leong, has been a fixture in the area for the past 67 years. The shop is now operated by 68-year-old Sim Chew Po, who is the son of the late renowned craftsman Sim Buck Teik.
Buck Teik, who passed away in April this year at the age of 96, was celebrated for his exceptional skills in weaving rattan furniture. His craftsmanship earned him recognition from the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), a testament to his enduring legacy.
In a brief interview session with Buletin Mutiara recently, Chew Po shared stories of how his father passed on the skills that have become the lifeblood of their family business.
“Back then, our business was thriving as the demand for rattan and bamboo was strong. There were a few similar shops selling rattan furniture located along this road.
“However, many of them have moved out from the heritage enclave ever since the Covid-19 pandemic struck. To make matters worse, the street is now so quiet, and only our business is surviving until now.
“The high rental costs have put a strain on my business, and the rise of hypermarts and shopping malls has shifted consumer preferences towards modernised furniture.
“We need to sustain our family business and the legacy of my father.
“On top of that, many youngsters now prefer to shop at hypermarkets or shopping malls for their modernised furniture.
“These factors have contributed to the dwindling business over the past few years,” he said.
Despite these difficulties, Chew Po remains committed to keeping the family business. One way he has adapted is by offering a repair service for rattan furniture, which has helped maintain a loyal customer base.
“This is an added advantage for our business. If we don’t offer this repair service, I believe our customers would opt for modernised furniture,” he said.
Though business has slowed, Chew Po remains optimistic about the future of rattan furniture.
“The process of making rattan furniture is not easy. My hands have been rough from decades of working with rattan.
“Unfortunately, many youngsters today are not interested in learning these skills.”
Asked whether he plans to pass his skills to a successor, Chew Po revealed that his only daughter has chosen a different career path.
“I will do my best until the day I close down for good,” he said, acknowledging that he has no one to carry on the family business.
To adapt to the digital age, Chew Po has begun using social media to promote his business, hoping to reach a broader audience and keep the legacy of Seang Hin Leong alive as long as possible.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis