Heng Siew Chiang

History

1948–89: Founding and incorporation

The company was founded in 1948 by the late Heng Siew Chiang (1918–1978) in Tawau, North Borneo as part of his business venture in the Nanyang region after emigrating from Chaoyang, China. Originally established as “Chop Heng Siew Chiang”, it began as a modest import-export trading house and grocery store on the Dunlop Street before relocating to the Belian Street where it remained until the late 1980s, focused mainly on household supplies and agro-food products.

Following the formation of Malaysia, it was renamed "Kedai Heng Siew Chiang" (Malay for Heng Siew Chiang's Shop) before becoming today's incorporated "Heng Siew Chiang Sdn. Bhd." or "王受長有限公司" in Chinese since 1977.

1990–present: Change of managing director and expansions

Heng Tiang Shin, fourth son of the late founder, by his first wife, took the reins of the family business in the early 1990s as the managing director, and has expanded the company's business segments in shipping and plantations. Having academically qualified in the UK since 1983, he was admitted as an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1986 and became Fellow Member in 1991. He is currently a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).

Lawsuits and disputes

The company has been involved in several legal disputes.

One of the most notable cases occurred when it sued the Malaysian Government in the High Court after officers from the Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division () seized an HSC rice transshipment cargo in 2006, alleging that the shipment entered Malaysia without import licence. The Malaysian Government won the case on 20 October 2009 and the presiding judge ruled that the company imported rice from Vietnam without licence and was in violation of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994.

However, the High Court ruling was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal on 6 August 2012. The court unanimously held that the seizure was unlawful, as the cargo was intended for transshipment to the Philippines and Indonesia rather than importation into Malaysia. The decision was set aside, and damages were awarded to the company.

References

References

1. (20 October 2009). "Judgment by Yang Arif Hakim Dato Abdul Rahman Bin Sebli". The High Court of Sabah & Sarawak.
2. (31 March 2003). "List of money-changing licensees". CLJ Law.
3. Richard Ker. (13 April 2017). "Rare old colour photos of Tawau in 1964/1965". North Borneo Historical Society.
4. "Malaysia, street scene in Tawau". University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.
5. (30 April 2010). "CLJ Bulletin, Issue 2010, Vol 17". CLJ Law.
6. (20 October 2009). "The High Court of Sabah & Sarawak Civil Suit No.T (21) 15 of 2007". The High Court of Sabah & Sarawak.
7. (23 December 2016). "Final Judgment After Assessment of Damages". Court of Appeal of Malaysia.