Kuala Dungun’s wooden shophouses keep its trading past alive

In Kuala Dungun, Terengganu, rows of wooden shophouses still serve as a testament to the town's trading past. These two-storey structures, locally known as kedai kayu, have stood the test of time since the 1930s, offering a glimpse into the town's commercial history. Ang Ah Kiang, a 76-year-old resident and trader, recounted how Kuala Dungun transformed from a fishing settlement into an important trading center.

The rise of iron ore mining in neighboring Bukit Besi played a significant role in this economic growth, attracting workers and businesses to the area in the 1930s to 1960s. As the mine closed in 1970, the town continued to thrive, with the wooden shophouses adapting to meet the needs of residents and workers. Currently, these shophouses house a variety of small businesses, including restaurants, hardware stores, grocery stores, and photo shops.

Kamal Hamid, a 59-year-old restaurateur, has been operating in one of these historic premises since 1986, inheriting it from his father. He noted that while the building has undergone renovations, its original structure remains largely intact. The story of these shophouses is inextricably linked to the development of Kuala Dungun.

Wan Rosli Wan Ngah, honorary secretary of the Dungun chapter of the Malaysian Historical Society, explained that the town's reorganization in 1933 created wooden shoplots to support the growing trade. Many Hokkien migrants from southern China settled in the area, opening businesses in these new buildings. Over time, the businesses and inhabitants evolved, but the wooden shophouses have remained an integral part of the town's streetscape, reflecting how trade has shaped Kuala Dungun for nearly a century.