Chung On Siew
Chung On Siew was a Chinese capitalist, inventor and philanthropist.
He moved to British Malaya and became a pioneer in the tin mining, rubber and property development industries. He is noted for the discovery of the hydraulic mining method on his alluvial hill lands and as a wise investor. One of his largest tin mines employed over 400 men. His tin mines were managed by European engineer, A. Hamilton. He has a street named after him in the tin mining town of Ipoh, Perak. He contributed extensively to the development of infrastructure in the town. An ibis Styles hotel was constructed on the street after the demolition of his prewar shophouses in 2013.
According to Arnold Wright, he was one of the biggest owner with many rubber plantations and tin mines in South East Asia. Based on the Singapore Straits Times, he acquired many other properties in China and Hong Kong. He retired back to China in 1905 where he died in 1907.
