The streets of Carpenter and Ewe Hai in Kuching have witnessed many historical events dating back 200 years, alongside business establishments that have stood firm over the years. Tai Moh Enterprise, with its second-generation manning the establishment, faces another challenge in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the owners still see a bright future for business.
Surviving through different eras
The central part of Kuching has been the epicentre of many historical events ever since it was established. The vibrant and historical stretch along Carpenter Street, Ewe Hai Street, Main Bazaar, Bishopsgate, all the way to Wayang Street is steeped in history and tales from the past.
The streets survived through 200 years of different administrations, war, disasters, up until the independence, and are still standing firm today. One of the earliest modern business centres in Sarawak, the streets have always been a major trading hub since the 19th century. Furthermore, it is located facing the Sarawak River, that kept Kuching connected to the world.
The place was booming with local and international traders alike. One such businessman that frequented the docks of Kuching back in the 1930s was 26-year-old Sim Teow Song from Dong Cheng, Chao An, China. Having left his hometown when he was 18 to seek for greener pastures, Sim first made his stop in Singapore.
Old signboards are usually adorned with three languages: English, Chinese, and Jawi. 
During the Japanese occupation, the soldiers confiscated Tai Moh’s signboard until owner Sim Teow Song asked for it back. However, the soldiers painted over the English spelling.
While working in Singapore, he partnered with his friend and started a business selling and exporting rice and beans. In 1939, he landed in Kuching, and established his shop called ‘Tai Moh’ at No. 51, Carpenter Street — just at the end of the avenue, close to the Hon Sang Si temple. There, he imported dry goods from Singapore and sell them to the locals.
Business was good. However, soon, things took a turn for the worst. During the Japanese occupation, Sim, his wife, and three children were unable to move around. They had to stay in Kuching and were unable to get business supplies from the outside.
Teow Song’s children who took over their father’s business, Sim Ah Moi and Sim Hoon Park remembered vividly the difficult times of war. Ah Moi was born during the war, and Hoon Park was only eight years old then.
According to Ah Moi, since they cannot import goods in during the war, her family had to rely on handmade prayer money and joss sticks. “We kept afloat by producing praying essentials for Buddhists. My father and brother would just print the money by hand and that helped us through the rough days.”
Remembering stories from her mother, Ah Moi said her eldest brother was the one who helped her father keep the business alive. “He would pound turmeric to dye the papers yellow, and stamped the papers using a handmade stamping mould.”
Hoon Park added that the war made it difficult for other businesses too. “We were only little children back then, but we knew how bad business was to everyone.”
He also shared how his father’s signboard was taken down by Japanese soldiers. “My father’s signboard was carved and painted in two languages, Chinese and English. When the soldiers saw the sign, they confiscated it. My father went and asked for it back, but when it was returned, the Japanese had painted over the English spelling.”
No longer in use, the family kept the signboard as memorabilia. “The Japanese occupation affected many of us in a bad way. I still remember the days when my father was captured. Thankfully, he was safely released.”
Hoon Park and his sister also remembered the times when their eldest brother was called in to work for the Japanese on behalf of their father. “Not long after that, he contracted pneumonia. Proper medicines and professional help were scarce back then, and sadly, he passed away at 18.”
Today, Tai Moh Enterprise, being the first shop selling Buddhist ritual items in Kuching, remains in business with Ah Moi and Hoon Park manning the establishment.
“In the modern world, everything is much easier. If you have money, you can import whatever you want to sell here. Back then, we had to personally make everything, but today, things are very convenient,” said Ah Moi.
Elaborating, Ah Moi said that business is very different today. With easy access to technology, she said that machines did most of the work these days. “We don’t need to make things from scratch anymore. We can just import ready-made products from China and Singapore.”
Selling prayer essentials for Buddhists, Tai Moh, and the other ageing businesses around the vicinity are now facing another historical crisis. This time, in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hoon Park said that business was as bad as during World War II.
Handmade prayer money 
“Last year, when the movement control order (MCO) was implemented, it was worse. Nobody was going out to buy prayer essentials. You can’t even go to funerals. Furthermore, temples were not open. It was very hard for business,” he disclosed.
He also added that the only time business was well last year, was during the ‘Qing Ming’ when people needed to purchase essentials before visiting graves.
Nonetheless, the friendly and bubbly Sim siblings remained positive about the situation. Braving their way over the years, Tai Moh Enterprise stood firm through hardships and challenges, and will definitely continue to carry on in the future.
