In many ways, Chan was regarded as one of the founding fathers of Kuala Lumpur.

Chan’s story began when he migrated from China to Taiping, Malaya in 1867 at the tender age of 16.

He worked under a prominent tin miner named Sam Low, but Chan was a prodigy who quickly rose through the ranks and eventually opened his own tin mine in Taiping.

During his time there, Chan played a significant role in restoring peace after the Larut War by orchestrating a “dinner” between two warring Chinese clans, Hai San and Gee Hin.

Despite the initial suspicion, the two sides agreed to a truce but only after Chan offered himself as a hostage to prove his sincerity as a mediator.

Taiping was also where he met Loke Yew, a fellow Chinese migrant who later became the richest man in British Malaya.

In 1883, the duo moved to Selangor where the state government leased barren lands and tin mines at low remunerations to spur its economy which was affected by the war in Perak.

Together, they became the pioneers and the largest tin mine owners.

Chan is also known for creating the Nai Chiang mining system at a time when most tin dredge machinery was imported from Britain. And he would later become the first Chinese to establish an iron foundry in Selangor.

His pioneering efforts in ironworks not only inspired others to start producing high-quality tools and machinery for mining and construction, but also kickstarted a technological transformation at the time.

When not busy running his mining and foundry business, Chan threw himself into charitable works.

Unknown to many, he co-founded some of the most famous landmarks in Malaysia — Tung Shin Hospital, Chan Clan Temple, Jishangtang Charity Hall and Victoria Institution.

At one time, he served as chairman of the Selangor Anti-Opium Society and the Selangor Chuan Hong Chinese School. He was also appointed as trustee of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple’s assets.

Chan died in 1927 at the age of 82, leaving behind four sons. A road in the Sungai Besi area is named after him to commemorate his contributions to the country.

The area itself is currently home to many old and established factories, warehouses and car service centres – a distant reflection of Chan’s efforts to develop Kuala Lumpur more than a hundred years ago.