Wee Kheng Chiang

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Wee.

Wee Kheng Chiang (Chinese: 黄庆昌; pinyin: Huáng Qìngchāng; July 1890 – 1978) was a Singaporean businessman. He was the founder of United Overseas Bank (UOB), formerly known as United Chinese Bank, and the father of Wee Cho Yaw.

Early life

Wee was born July 1890 in Kuching, Sarawak (now part of Malaysia). He was the family's second-to-eldest son. His father was Wee Tee Yah (died 1889), a Chinese immigrant, and his mother was Song Kim Keow, a Malaysian widow. The younger Wee attended Saint English Thomas Secondary School, and spoke English and Chinese fluently.[1]

Career

The Kapitan Cina Ong Tiang Swee, who was then Kuching's wealthiest person, was impressed by Wee, and decided to let him marry his daughter.[1] Wee was then given the role of manager of the Sarawak Chinese Bank,[1] which Ong owned. Wee soon got to know more prominent businesspeople and other important figures; he shortly started a string of businesses, including farming and goods importing and exporting. He became the Treasurer of the Kuching-based Chinese General Chamber of Commerce upon its inception in 1930, before being promoted to President. In addition, Wee was the Fujian Association (福建会馆)'s President.[2] On 6 August 1935,[3] he established the United Chinese Bank with six other partners. The bank is now known as the United Overseas Bank (UOB).[4]

Death and legacy

Wee died in 1978 in his Kuching residence. His first son, Wee Cho Yaw, was subsequently appointed to head UOB.[2] Wee Kheng Chiang was hailed the "uncrowned king of Sarawak" posthumously in Queen of the Head Hunters by Rajah Vyner Brooke's spouse.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lee 2013, p. 464.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lee 2013, p. 465.
  3. ↑ "Our Corporate Profile". United Overseas Bank. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Siow, Li Sen (3 June 2010). "UOB patriarch looking for a successor". AsiaOne.

Bibliography