Section 81: Chua Gui’s legendary career and educational career

Campus sages: Chua Gui’s legendary career and educational career

Sage Chua Gui， was originally from Fengtingxiufeng Village, Xianyou, Fujian Province (formerly known as Houlan Village). He was born on Jan the 5th of 1894 in home village. His father was Chua Yi Bee, and mother Madam Pua. Chua Gui has 3 siblings, he was the eldest son.

At the beginning of the nineteen century, China was facing deep trouble. Internally, there was the corruption and incompetence of the Qing government and externally, aggression and oppression of Western powers, these had caused difficulties in domestic life, and people were forced to flee to overseas to make a living.

In 1912， Chua Gui, 18, who attended private school for a few year, decided to seek for a living in NanYang (South Sea). He left home alone, and after walking for a full week, he arrived in Shantou, Guangdong, and went on board a south-bound boat.After one or two months of long-distance turbulence, he finally landed at Shi Lap Po (i.e. Singapore)

In a foreign land where he knew no one, Chua Gui could only make a living as a coolie pulling a rickshaw. In order to find a better way out, he embarked on another long march: crossed the Singapore / Johor Causeway, set foot in Malaya, and walked northwards along the East Coast Railway. After few toss and turns, he arrived at Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

At Gemas, he was met by the local Overseas-Chinese leader 林庶谨 , and worked as a rickshaw rider at 林振茂 company. Because he was young, strong and hard working, he was favoured by the boss. Under the nurture of Mr. 林庶谨, he learned a lot of skills and management in planting of rubber.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, Dunlop Malayan Estate Ltd which was founded by the British, started to Cultivate and grow rubber trees in big scale in Ladang Geddes nearby Bahau， Negeri Sembilan, they needed a lot of contractors and labours for various works. Mr. Lim highly recommended Chua Gui as the contractor.

Chua Gui grabbed the golden opportunity, with the help of his cousins 马迪、曾文兴、陈春花、徐炳耀, they imported a great number of villagers of the same clan from Xian Yiu China to Bahau to help in contracting works. During prime time, he had total of 200 worker and 22 managerial staff, they included 廖美、王世昆、李麟、蓝彦、华祥、陈祥、谭庇、陈春花等。Chua Gui managed to gather people of different clan to converge in Ladang Geddes, he is the pioneer of all contractors as well as an integral part of the Rubber industry.

Chua Gui and his team worked through hardships and hardships, so that Dunlop Estate, which covered an area of more than 20,000 acres and was known as the world's largest rubber plantation, was finally successfully reclaimed and planted as scheduled. Chua Gui was therefore highly trusted by the management and loved by his employees.

In 1946, Chua Gui left the rubber plantation where he had served for more than 20 years and retired early at the age of 50. It turned out that his retirement was result of a thrilling experience. Once he spoke upright for the workers on official business and had an argument with a British "big ghost" (manager). Chua Gui was unwilling to give in. The overbearing manager drew his gun and threatened him in anger. Fortunately, his colleagues persuaded the manager and resolved a conflict in time.

Chua Gui, who retreated from the rapids, moved his family to Bahau. At the same time, he opened a Tapioca flour factory in Rompin. Later, nearly 100 acres of land were purchased in Palong to grow rubber. It was harvested six years later, coincided with the outbreak of the Korean War and the price of rubber rose rapidly. Chua Gui had luck on his side and struck big returns.

Chua Gui left a distinctive mark on the rubber plantation industry and rubber plantation management industry in Bahau; Chua Gui also made a significant contribution to the Chinese education in Bahau.

Value Education Founded Chi Wen Primary and Secondary Schools Chua Gui knew, that education is the best way to change the destiny of a nation, that’s why he pay great attention to education.

As early as twentieth century in the 20’s, the forefathers of Bahau established Chi Wen Primary School. As co-founder, Chua Gui took the position as Chairman of the board for 4 terms over the year 1938 till 1963.

The number of students for Chi Wen Primary School increased drastically during the 50’s. In 1956, in order to solve the problem of primary school graduate students entering higher school, Chua Gui and the others initiated formation of Chi Wen Secondary School. As the Chairman of the School Building Committee, Chua Gui contributed both his money and effort, going places asking for donation and received very good response from the people. Among them, Mr Foo shu yuan donated Five Thousand Ringgit, in total they received fifteen thousand ringgit.

Under the assistance of Ye Liao Shui and Li Bao xiang, the School Building committee managed to acquire a piece of land from the government. During the construction period of Chi Wen Secondary School, every day we could see Mr. Chua Gui in his head and crutch monitory the progress of construction. The 3-story school building was finally completed in 1961, its opening ceremony was graced by the Yamtuan and permaisuri, highest ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

From 1957，1959，1960， 1962 till 1963, Chua Gui was the Chairman of Chi Wen Secondary School. Apart from that, he had also been the Chairman of Poi Wah Chinese School of Seremban.

Chen Jia Geng and Chen Liu Shi were the most worship role model of Mr Chua Gui. Chen Jia Geng has dedicated his whole life and money into prospering education. Chen liu Shi founded Nanyang University. It was the fighting spirit and how these two Mr Chen valued education, inspired Mr Chua Gui to actively participated in eduction matters. In 1953, Chen Liu Shi proposed the forming of Nanyang University in Singapore, it was very well supported by the Chinese from both Singapore and Malaya. In 1955, Mr Chua Gui was elected the Chairman of Preparatory Committee of Nanyang University in Negeri Sembilan.

Respected and honoured 1939 during the Chinese Anti-Japanese war, Nanyang overseas Chinese set up a relief committee. Chua Gui and his younger brother Chua Hai Ben responded to the call by Chen Jia Geng, travelling around endlessly, actively soliciting donations from overseas Chinese to support China's anti-Japanese fund. Chua Gui was the one of the leaders in Negeri Sembilan, other members were 蔡天恭、陈世荣、许则仰、郑梅五、唐香圃、蔡海本...etc

Since his rooting in Nanyang, Chua Gui never had a chance to go back to his village in China, but he did his level best in taking care of the family members from the same village, fully lived up to the responsibility of a elder brother. In 1991, during the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Xianyou County Culture and History Committee of Fujian Province praised highly on Mr Chua Gui and his deeds in Nanyang, and recorded them into history book:”Mr Chua Gui’s life is a life of hard work, love for the motherland, love for hometown, love for relatives, and a life of selfless dedication. "

Year 1955, Chua Gui bought a two-acre land opposite the Bahau Railway Station and built a bungalow. When it was completed, he received the visit and congratulations of Dr Said, then states secretary of Negeri Sembilan state.

Mr Chua Gui was generous and liked to help people. Even though he was not filthy rich but he surely was the “Rich man” in the mind of many people. For the people of the same village, if they had the capability, Mr Chua Gui will lend them a helping hand and help them to build their own businesses. MR Chua Gui was very enthusiastic in social service, caring for disadvantaged groups； To those who ask for help, he would offer a helping hand without discrimination.