Soh Huat Keh

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Soh Huat Keh was a famed fish merchant from Kemaman who is also known as the Kingfisher or Rajawali in Malay because of his huge impact in Terengganu's fishing industry . He was born in the early 1800's in Amoy, now known as Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. He moved to Malacca, Malaya in his early teenage years with his father in search of a better future. As business in Malacca was highly competitive then, Soh Huat Keh moved to Kuala Kemaman in the state of Terengganu to give a shot at the huge fishing industry there. He focussed on salted fish manufacturing and was well connected with businesses in Singapore where most of his products were exported to. At one point in his life he was said to be the richest person in Kemaman and one of the richest in Terengganu. He owned a large fleet of fishing vessels and had authority on the Kemaman port besides owning prime land thorughout Terengganu and Pahang. The later part of his life was a major downturn as he got addicted to opium and saw his business come down to earth because of bad management and disunity among his children whom inherited it.

He was married to Teo What who is a Fujian Chinese too and had 13 children (8 sons and 3 daughters) the other two died when they were infants. Among his children who were deeply involved in the salt fish manufacturing business are Soh Chui Leong (the eldest son), Soh Chui Chueh (the second son), Soh Chui Ugh (the fourth son), Soh Tien Ting (fifth son) and Soh Tien Ong (eight son). Most of Soh Huat Keh's descendants reside in Terengganu, Johore and Singapore now.