Quah Chin Lai

Quah was born in Fujian, China in 1892. When young, Quah would travel all over his township and neighboring counties to sell toys and wares. His interest in metal ware started when he was an apprentice for a blacksmith and made a career and business in blacksmithing.[1]

In 1916, Quah travel to Singapore and founded Hiap Leong Kee which specialised in hardware construction equipment. During the Second World War, Hiap Leong Kee was seized by the Japanese and Quah escaped to Malaysia and hid in the plantations. After the Japanese surrendered, Quah resumed Hiap Leong Kee and imported European and American products. Within a few years, Hiap Leong Kee was reestablished as a leading company by Quah

.In 1947 his company could supply complete range of building machinery, equipments and shipping parts.

• Construction and building of Nanyang University in 1955.
• Founded the Nanyang Kuah Si Association in Singapore in 1954.[2][3][4]
• Pioneer founders of the Singapore Metal & Machinery Association in 1935.[5][6][7]
• Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce representing a member of the Singapore Trade Mission Delegation to China in 1956[8]
• Honorary member of Ee Hoe Hean[9][10]
• Honorary member of Goh Loo Club [11]
• Honorary member of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan[12][13]
• Honorary member of Singapore Ann Kway Association [14][15]
• Director of United Overseas Bank[16][17][18][19]

• Quah married Ms. Wen Ke Niang (Chinese: 溫刻娘; pinyin: WēnKèNiáng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Un Khek-liông) in the year 1901, in China and together they have 6 sons and 3 daughters.
• In the year 1928, Quah married Yeo Peck Gim (Chinese: 姚碧吟; pinyin: YáoBìYín; Jyutping: Jiu4 Bik1 Jam4) in Singapore as his second wife and together they have 2 sons and 4 daughters.

In recognition of Quah's contributions to society he was commemorated as follows:

• In 2012, Quah Chin Lai was listed as among the Prominent Figures of the World Fujian Communities publication recounts the lives of some 150 Hokkien Singaporeans and records their achievements and contributions to Singapore over the past 200 years. It will be launched in November this year.[20][21]
• In 2015, World Scientific published a book about "Tan Lark Sye: Advocator And Founder Of Nanyang University" for Quah was mention for his contribution to Nanyang University.[22]
• In 1999 in the book that documents Beihong in Southeast Asia (悲鸿在星洲), Quah was mention for his heroic effort rescuing Xu Beihong when the Japanese Empire invaded Singapore.[23][24]

• 
  Quah Chin Lai conducting site survey for building Nanyang University in Singapore
• 
  Quah Chin Lai (right wearing white khaki shorts) Nanyang University ground inauguration
• 
  Quah Chin Lai (furthest right) hosting his grandson's wedding (Quah Chin Siong and Soh Beow Seng wedding) in 1970s at 4 Walton Road.
• 
  Quah Chin Lai early pioneer membership form for Singapore Nanyang Kuah Si Association
• 
  Quah Chin Lai contribution to Nanyang University (now known as NTU) in Tan Kah Kee Pioneers' memorial Hall
• 
  Quah Chin Lai (left) a leading member of the Singapore trade mission delegation in Beijing, Aug 1956. Seen here with Mr. Tan Kah Kee (middle). Photo can be found in Xiamen University museum.
• 
  In 2021, Quah Chin Lai's eldest great-grandson (Quah Teng Koon 柯廷坤) and his wife established an educational bursary in Singapore Nanyang Technological University to continue Mr Quah Chin Lai 's philanthropic spirit to perpetuate the importance of education.