The late Lee Beng Chuan was famously known as one of the world’s oldest joss stick makers and practised the dying art of traditional joss stick making until his very last breath on Dec 5, 2020.

He was 93 years old.

Though he may no longer be here, his joss stick making legacy continues to live on as Lee Chin Poh, his youngest son, has taken over the reins at Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker.

“I’ve been heavily involved in the business for six years now, but I learned the basic skills of making joss sticks when I was a youngster and had helped my dad ever since I was a child.”

On top of its long history, Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker is also known for selling special variations of joss sticks made out of sustainable materials like artemisia argyi, agarwood and frankincense — instead of sawdust, which can be harmful to the environment.

Sadly, after 60 years of operating daily, Penang’s last handmade joss stick shop faces the threat of rolling its last joss stick.

“We were already earning less than RM100 a month, but from Feb 18 until today, I have only sold RM40 worth of items,” explained Lee, who elaborated that pandemic aside, other factors led to the downturn in business.

Lee’s main customers used to comprise tourists and cruise ship passengers who came over to find out more about the heritage practice.

Then the pandemic hit.

The sudden slump in tourism last year made it difficult for Lee to settle the shop’s monthly rent on his own, as the business was previously subsidised by an organisation that ceased all support after his father’s death.

“I have been withdrawing my EPF funds to settle rent every month, and I have next to nothing left as I used most of it to buy the Farlim flat I am currently staying in,” said Lee.

He explained that he had to move when renovations began on his father’s original shop on Lorong Muda, which doubled as his home.

This meant that operations also had to be shifted to a smaller shop further away on Lorong Stewart.

And though things are looking up for most businesses with the recent ease in restrictions, Lee dreads that it may be just the opposite for him.

Business aside, Lee himself has reached his limit — personally and financially.

Lee has been waiting since January for the MCO to end so he can kickstart his joss stick making workshops and welcome customers back to the new shop.

“I’ve been thinking about teaching the younger generation as I hope that I can instil the passion for this dying art in them,” confessed Lee.

Other than the workshop idea, Lee also had plans of turning the workshop into a museum, where he can display his father’s art.

These days, however, Lee spends his time watching customers whizz past his new shop without stopping to come inside. His workshop-turned-museum idea could very well turn into dust.

“People used to walk in at the old place all the time to make inquiries and buy items. But no one ever comes into this new location.”

Things looked up for a bit, when a German hobbyist made an order of products worth RM1,000.

“After he found out that postage would cost him RM750, he told me he wanted to withhold the order — which, to me, obviously meant a cancellation.”

The 60-year-old expressed how deeply he wants to continue his father’s legacy — especially since it was his dying wish.

“My eldest brother told me why my father gave me the name Chin Poh. It was because ‘chin bao’ means ‘incoming wealth’ as my father’s business started to bloom after I was born,” Lee said sadly.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case now. But he knows his father will understand his decision to put the business to rest — if things come to that.

In the event that Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker does close down for good, Lee plans on travelling to Thailand with his wife and teaching young monks how to make joss sticks. He’ll also need to find a part-time job to earn a living.

But for now, Lee has to be careful with his money and plans to open his shop only twice a week — a stark contrast to when his father was running the business, which was opened daily and even on public holidays.

Lee has given himself three more months for the business to pick up. If it shows no signs of improvement, he will close for good.

Nevertheless, Lee never fails to light a joss stick every single day, hoping that people will see his newspapers and wander into his shop.

Perhaps that is Lee’s way of holding out hope, as this act may signify a silent plea that he would not have to fan the dying embers of his father’s joss stick shop.

Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker
No-37A, Lorong Stewart
George Town
10200 Penang

Contact: 011-3503 6815