The royal laundryman

CHIEW Kek Whye (above), 60, was literally born into the Shanghai Dhoby and Dry Cleaning Company on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

“I was born in this very shop, upstairs, where my family used to live,” said the well-spoken Chiew. “Back then, there were 11 of us all crammed up in two rooms!”

The laundry business was established back in 1942 by Chiew’s father, who was originally from Shanghai (hence the name). Chiew started helping out when he was 14, and took over in 1998.

To this day, Chiew still washes everything by hand, and he still operates a 60-year-old iron - one that’s actually made out of iron. Apparently, nothing presses better than that, though its weight makes it quite difficult to operate.

But the results speak for themselves. The unassuming “Kedai Dhoby Shanghai” (as the signboard on the shop reads) has been serving the Sultan of Johor for as long as Chiew can remember.

“Since 1942, my father and I have done laundry for four different Sultans,” said Chiew proudly. Other customers include state assemblymen and chief ministers.

Chiew isn’t worried about the more modern laundry businesses opening up at the neighbouring Jalan Dhoby either. “It’s always better when something is hand-washed. That’s why our customers keep coming back to us.”

Sadly, Chiew said Kedai Dhoby Shanghai will have to close down someday.

“Once I am too old to work, I will retire and close the shop,” said Chiew. It’s not a business he wants his children to get into. “It’s not an easy life.”

At the moment, Chiew operates the entire business just between him and his wife, Chow Geok Lian, who he also met at the shop.

The two spend most of their days working side-by-side, washing, drying and pressing laundry.

“I can’t describe how important my wife is to me,” said Chiew with a smile, and his arm lovingly wrapped around her shoulder.