He was known for his craftsmanship, creating intricate and beautiful custom-made rattan products that customers came in droves for – that is, until he passed away suddenly from a combination of Covid-19 and dengue in November last year.
Now, even seven months after his death, it is apparent that Woon Heong still deeply misses her husband as she tears up when speaking of him.
“He fell one day and injured his back. Prior to that, he was already very weak and seemed to lack energy. He was rushed to the hospital, but the following day he passed away. According to the doctor, it was due to Covid and dengue,” she told FMT. He was 69 years old.
She said her husband had worked with rattan practically all his life, becoming an apprentice under an experienced rattan products maker when he was only 16 years old.
Later, when working in rattan shops in Sungai Besi and Batu Caves, she said her husband saved as much money as he could because he had a dream of owning his own rattan shop someday.
That dream became reality when he bought the present shop from its previous owner. With three kids now, the couple got down to running the shop together.
She recalled that he would typically take a week to complete a custom-made sofa set, using rattan obtained from Pahang. Apart from taking custom-orders, they also sold ready-made products from a supplier.
“He worked long hours, from 10am to 10pm every day. He even worked during Chinese New Year. He was also very thrifty, preferring to keep the money for me and the children,” she recalled.
Their rattan products became so popular at one time that several local media featured their handiwork. She explained that as word spread about a shop in Old Klang Road that sold quality rattan products, their business picked up even more.
Even during FMT’s visit, there was a steady stream of customers browsing through the chairs, cabinets, sofa sets, and blinds on display. The customers greeted her cheerfully and hardly anyone left empty-handed.
Apart from its beauty, Chong explained that rattan products are also sturdy and durable – some known to last for up to 20 years.
Her customers, she shared, even travelled from as far as Kajang and Bangsar to her shop. “Many of these customers have been coming here for a long time. Even after my husband passed away and I closed my shop earlier at 3pm for a while, they called me because they were outside waiting,” she said.
“At least, work keeps me occupied so I don’t spend too much time thinking about him,” she added with tears in her eyes.
However, running the business has come with its fair share of challenges. One of them, according to Chong, is the rising price of rattan – which inevitably caused the price of the finished goods to increase.
“That is why I also have customers who opt to repair an old product instead of buying a new one.”
Furthermore, with her husband’s passing, she is now working alone. Given these challenges, she has chosen to focus on simple repair works and sell the finished products that she obtains from a supplier in Johor.
“However, my son, who is a lorry driver, helps me during the weekends. Thankfully, he picked up the trade from his father many years ago,” she explained, pointing to a chair that her son had made.
‘Keep going’
One can’t help but wonder – what are her plans for the future? “A condominium developer wants to buy the land, so I am planning to move to a new location in Puncak Jalil in two years’ time.”
Although it would certainly make more sense for her to live an easier, slower-paced life and spend more time with her five grandchildren in her golden years, there is one thing that keeps her going.
“My husband loved this business, after having been in it for so long. It’s his legacy and he has asked me to keep it going for as long as I can. I hope to pass it down to my son someday.”
Woon Cane Enterprise (formerly ‘Perniagaan Wai Kong’)
138B, Batu 3
Jalan Klang Lama
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012-379 6526
Business hours: 10am to 6pm daily