Ko Teck Kin (Kopi Sua)

November 29, 2024 exhumed kopi sua

Mr. Ko Teck Kin (高德根) was born in China in Leong Kay (Hokkien Province) in 1911. He came down to Singapore at the age of 10 and went to Sumatra at 20 years old to start a business. When he returned, he worked with the shipping firm owned by his father, Mr. Ko Yam Ee and had his own business dealing in local products. Post war, he started the rubber milling business of Kah Hin Rubber Co. Ltd in which he was the managing director. His other business included Ho Chiang Shipping Co. Ltd, Ko Liong Hin, importers and exporters. and the Chin Cheng Realty Ltd. By the time time he was 42 years old in 1953, he was labelled as one of the youngest Chinese millionaires in the Singapore rubber industry. He was also the chairman of Chung Khiaw Bank.

Ko Teck Kin

Ko Teck Kin was the Vice-President (1952-1953) and later President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce from 1954 to 1955, and again from 1958 to 1965.

Other roles:

Committee Member of Singapore Hokkien Hui Kuan;
Deputy Chairman of Public Life Assurance Company Limited (1955);
Vice-Chairman (1955-1960) and later Chairman of Chinese High School Management Committee (1961-1965);
The first High Commissioner of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (1965-1966);
President of Singapore Leong Khay Huay Kuan (1953) and Singapore Chinese Shipping Association (1953-1959);
Vice-President of Singapore Koh Clan Association (1953);
Director of Nanyang Girls' School;
Director of Ho Chiang Shipping Company Limited (1951-1966);
Managing Director of Kah Hin Rubber Company Limited (1951-1966).

He was conferred the Meritorious Service Medal in 1963. His brother, Mr. Ko Teck Siang, was son-in-law of Mr. Lim Keng Lian (林庆年), former President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (1935-1937).

The new Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC)

On 29 April 1959, the SCCC appointed a 17-man sub-committee responsible for building the new premises. The president, Mr. Ko Teck Kin was appointed chairman of this sub-committee. Yap Pheng Geck was the vice chairman. Construction of the $1.5 million 10-storey building that replaced its century old premises in Hill Street was announced on March 1961.

The new SCCC was opened by Minister of Finance, Dr. Goh Keng Swee (who received the plaque on behalf of the Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. The plaque was presented by Senator Ko Teck Kin, President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce on September 1964.

Death

Mr. Ko Teck Hin was in Hong Kong to seek medical attention. He passed away at Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong on 10 April 1966 at the age of 60.

Family

Note: What is written below about Ko Teck Kin is not intended to be comprehensive as i do not have full details of his family tree but is derived from what i could find from the newspaper archives. If there are any errors, do leave a comment below.

Brother: Ko Teck Siang

Mr. Ko Teck Siang and Miss Lim Lay Hua (niece of Mr. and Mrs. Lim Keng Lian) had their weddding celebration at Raffles Hotel on 30 September 1951. Mr. Ko Teck Siang, was son-in-law of Mr. Lim Keng Lian (林庆年) and President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (1935-1937).

Ko Teck Siang and Lim Lay Hua

Obituary of Ko Teck Siang (brother of Ko Teck Kin)

Wife: Madam Chang Jih Hao

See below for some details. [unable to gather more for now]

Mrs. Ko Teck Kin nee Madam Kitty Cheok

Madam Kitty Cheok passed away on 22 November 1986. The cortege left from 66 Watten Heights.

Sons: Hendrick Ko Oon Hock, Michael Ko Oon Huat

Daughters: Rosalind Ko, Ko Bee Choo, Ko Kim Choo, Ko Bee Geok, Ko Geok Lian

Wife: Madam Teo Jit How

Wives of 20 Singapore chinese millionaires led by Madam Teo Jit How - wife of the rubber magnate, Mr. Ko Teik Kin -left for Communist China on a two month "sight-seeing" trip. [Do not have much details at the moment]

Wife: Chan Yew Cheng

Madam Chan Yew Cheng passed away at the age of 90 on 23 June 2015. Obituary is available on newspaper archives.

Son: David Ko Oon Ho and Linda Choo Hock Mun

David Ko Oon Ho, eldest son of Mr. Ko Teck Kin married Linda Choo Hock Mun (daughter of Mr. Choo Teik, a cook and Mrs. Choo Teik, an amah to Mr. D.H. Komlosy, Chief Planning Advisor of the Singapore Improvement Trust whom they stayed in the servant quarters of his residence in Kay Siang Road) in secret in Hong Kong.

Son: Ko Oon Kay

The second son of Singapore's first High Commissioner to Malaysia was killed in an accident in Johore on 5 March 1971. Ko Oon Kay, 28, a director of Hotel Negara died at the Johore Bahru General Hospital after the Mercedes Benz he was driving collided head on with a petrol tanker in Kulai. His brother, Ko Oon Hin (19) who was sitting next to him was injured. Ko Oon Kay left behind a widow (whom he married late last year).

It was during the wake of Ko Oon Kay another unfortunate incident happened. Thieves rob the family home of $20,000 in jewelry and other prized possessions.

Daughter: Jenny Ko Guan Choon

Miss Jenny Ko Guan Choon (eldest daughter of Mr. Ko Teck Kin) married Mr. Chng Heng Tat (architect and 4th son of the late Mr. Chng Pee Lam). They first met in Australia when Miss Ko was studying accountancy and Mr. Chng architecture.

Daughter: Rosie Ko Poh Choo

Father: Ko Teck Kin (deceased)

Mother: Maggie Cheok

Husband: Michael Heng Swee Hai

Son: Heng Tian Zhi, Timothy

Brothers: Johnson Ko Oon Chye, Samuel Ko Oon Kok, Daniel Ko Oon Eng, Winson Ko Oon Hua, William Ko Oon Leong

Sisters: Amy Ko Gin Choo, Jenny Ko Siew Hong, Jessie Ko Siew Lian

Family Tussle over rubber tycoon's fortune ends

A 2 year legal wrangle involving 13 beneficiaries of the estate was settled in the chambers in the High Court. This was reported on 4 February 1981.

Madam Chang Jih Hao (65) widow of rubber tycoon Ko Teck Kin reached a settlement with her brother-in-law Mr. Ko Teck Siang . Under the will, Madam Ko and Ko Teck Siang have become executors of the estate. They are also among the beneficiaries. As for the shares of the 4 private companies (Ho Chiang Co. Pte Ltd, Ko Rubber Plantation, Kah Hin Rubber Co Pte Ltd and Chin Cheng Realty Pte Ltd) which are said to be worth several millions. Under a clause, Madam Chang is the beneficial owner of 50/210 of the shares while Ko Teck Siang owns 30/210 of the shares.

Funeral and tomb

I have only photos from the the archives and newspapers. Ko Teck Kin tomb does not exist in Kopi Sua anymore as it was impacted by the construction of the Pan Island Expressway and was exhumed.