150 Arab Street. Picture taken 1983.
history.
Nam Hing Gold Smith was located at 150 Arab Street. It was established in 1958, when Thong Yam Lin took sole ownership of the pre-war goldsmith shop that stood at the busy junction of Arab Street and Victoria Street.
Thong was a first generation immigrant from China who arrived in the region in 1943 at the age of 30. He learnt his trade through apprenticeships firstly in Batu Pahat, Malaysia, and thereafter in Singapore, presciently converting his savings into gold instead of keeping them in the Japanese-issued wartime currency. This afforded him the opportunity to become a partner in Nam Hing's predecessor before eventually acquiring the business fully, running it with his wife Lai Yu Cheng.
Arab Street and Victoria Street were known by different names to the different communities who lived and made a living here. Nam Hing's clientele reflected this multicultural identity, and included members of Arab, Bugis, Javanese, Malay, Indian and Chinese communities. Thong and Lai assimilated into this environment, learning the Malay language off radio programmes in order to better serve the needs of their customers.
The three-story shophouse remains standing today, almost as a signpost to the Kampong Glam Conservation Area. The words on the signboard that adorns the building reads "Nam Hing Lin Kee Gold Smith". The Chinese characters are cast in Thong's own calligraphic script.
location.
street art.
Gold in the Trees
Gold in the Royal Regalia
Kampong Glam was likely named after the Gelam tree which was native to the area. The tree was of great value to the locals - it produces cajaput oil a healing ingredient in "tiger balm", caulk for boats, spices and even firewood.
Symbol of the right to rule over Singapore as the Sultan of Johor- Riau. This was missing ni Raffles's chosen sucessor,
Tengku Hussein. You can still see the Istana (where the Malay Heritage Centre now stands) which was part of the Sultan Gate compound, stretching from Rochor River ot the sea.
Gold in this Street
Kampong Glam was likely named after the Gelam tree which was native to the area. The tree was of great value to the locals - it produces cajaput oil a healing ingredient in "tiger balm", caulk for boats, spices and even firewood.
Symbol of the right to rule over Singapore as the Sultan of Johor- Riau. This was missing ni Raffles's chosen sucessor,
Tengku Hussein. You can still see the Istana (where the Malay Heritage Centre now stands) which was part of the Sultan Gate compound, stretching from Rochor River ot the sea.
partners.
Beyond The Dough Pizzeria
Luca & Vic
