Producers: Chow Kat Liang & Chong See Kui
26/2/2019

This new edition replaces the former publication “KB Shops from 1940’s” after the TripWow, home of photo slideshows, closed down in June 2017. Many New antique photos have been added to reflect the actual buildings, but most of them have been replaced with modern concrete structures.

A Typical open lane between 2 blocks of wooden shops in 1952
the 2 smiling bicycle riders: Foo Kuan Fa & Chow Suet Cheng
The very first bicycle & tyre repair shop, “Hock Ju Hin” 1952 belonging to the late Law Hung Siong (Kit Chit), the brother of Law Fah Ngen, standing inside the shop) in white singlet inside the shop while the 2 boys in school uniforms were Chow Kat Liang and his brother Francis Chow.
A Hand sketch of the first old cinema built in wood and palm leaves. The 1st class had individual rattan chairs, and the 2nd class had long wooden benches for 5. The entry ticket was 50 cents & 25 cents. As children, we managed to get in with an adult, but sometimes, our good friend “Ah Beiu” would let us sneck in when he was busy.
The old Kajang shops (Fah Hin & Fah Khiong) were decorated in celebration of the British Queen Elizabeth II Coronation in 1953 (the new shops were still under construction then) Fascinating that almost everyone in this photo could be identified! Standing tall – the late Shim Wei Sian; The lady under the ballons was the late Mdm Lim Ah Yapp (SK’s mother), the cheeky boy in school uniform in the middle of the photo was Johnny Chong Ah Jew, the girl on the RH side was the late Liaw Lan Ching;. In contrast, the 2 boys in white and shorts were the Chow brothers, Francis Chow Kat Ying and Chow Kat Liang. Chong Min Chong (not seen here) was selling those balloons.
Belait District Decorated an Arch across the Jalan Pretty to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizebeth II in 1953
Before World War II – Kuala Belait the only Post Office
There was a multipurpose brass gong (the round cycle) hanging at the corridor of the Police Station (1) announcing the hour of the day -1 strike means 1 o’clock; one high strike followed by a soft strike means 1.30 (2) 2 strikes +2 strikes all police back to the station (3) continuous strike means emergency (such as air strikes during the WWII)
A temporary store built by the Australian Army that defeated the Japanese invasion army in 1945. It was built at KBRC padang.
1953 Collecting sands from the Belait beach to construct concrete buildings around KB and Seria.
1945 A temporary outdoor cinema and a wide screen were outdoor in front of this building built by the Australian arm and Brunei Shell at Panaga before the concrete Roxana Theater
Official Opening of the SERIA new modern concrete shophouses 19 September 1954
Permanent Building of former Pai Cheng School, Kuala Belait – 4 July 1938 在 Jalan Narkhoda Ragam 和 Jalan Tepi 义口隣近地區. The building was destroyed by bombs during the WWII.
The building behind the 4 bicycle riders was the Chinese Engineering Association, which was used as our classroom.
In this photo, Al Marhum Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan visited the “Fah Khion” shop, owned by the late Kapitan Cina, Mr Sim Yen Sue(on the RH) .”
Before the electric supply, all the shops used this kerosine Lamp to manually pump up the gas pressure. My father’s shop had 10 lamps to light up the whole shop, and my brother (13)and I (10) were tasked to keep the lamp lighted, so by the time we completed the 10th lamp the first lamp needed to pump up again, so our tasks seemed to be in a cycle but we took each turn like clock work!
Accepting MBE from British Resident witness by Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin
Typical General textile Shop “Fah Khion in 1954
Modern Concrete shops were completed and occupied in 1954. This view is looking from the Customs Department towards Kampong, China. There were only a handful of cars & locally constructed lorries, and buses at that time.
Prize-winning Shop Decorations competition to celebrate HM “Sultan’s Birthday in 1955 – The creator: SK standing proudly in front of his father’s Shop Fah Hing
Typical General sundries shop “Yick Yuen in 1954
Typical Shop Fah Hin marketing manual winding record players & records, and Sewing machines and etc
A newly created Jalan Pretty with 8 blocks of modern concrete shops in 1955 – view from Custom towards the beach of the South China Sea. Please note there were only a handful of cars & wooden buses with 10 seats, many Shell motorcycles but many bicycles.
The trees at Jalan Pretty had grown taller and more motorcars -1956
Very Rare photo with the Chinese Engineering wooden Building (left) opposite to the 1st wooden building Chung Hua School at Kuala Belait. 1952.
First Post War School Building
The Money we used in 1930
Brunei anitque coin
OPENING OF THE CONCRETE BUILDING


In 1954 Al Marhum Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien III, is seen cutting a ribbon in an official opening ceremony.

Holding the ceremony tray was the late Shim Yin Zu, Kapitan China

Credit to Mr Anthony Err, a professional Imagemaker @ Karen Anthony & Co, with his remarks as follows:-
“Circa 1953 – 1954
Kuala Belait had new brick and concrete shops along Jalan Pretty. These historical photos were scanned to improve their tonality and “sharpness”.
 
Thanks to Uncle Tom Chong See Kui for giving me the honour to “re-live” these memories.
 
from Anthony Err

DISCLAIMER:

Some of the photos are from social media. Some of the images in this blog are copyrighted to the respective owners. Please let us know if you have any issues with copyright. Let us know, and we will promptly remove them.