The Real Story Behind That House on Hutton Lane

When you pass by Jalan Hutton, you can see an old bungalow next to the parking lot of Penang City Hall, with a signboard written "Leong Kim Tiew".

It you think the house belongs to Leong or used to belong to Leong, then you are wrong.

It has never belonged to Leong. Instead, it is an ancestral asset of former Penang Chief Minister Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu.

Why is Leong's name hung above the house then?

Old Penang folks would tell you that the original owner of the house was Dr Lim Chwee Leong.

Many of the new generation might not know Dr Lim Chwee Leong, but at least they have heart of the name. It is because the Prangin Road has been renamed as Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong.

In fact, Dr Lim is a kind-hearted and generous doctor who provided free medical care for the poor. He is also father of Chong Eu,.

He leased the house to Leong, who later became his friend.

Probably in 1936, Leong, who was a carpenter, won a fortune and wished to buy the house that he had long fancied.

The house was on sale at that time but he was a bit too late as it was bought by Dr Lim.

He requested Dr Lim to resell the house to him but the doctor loved the house so much and was reluctant to let go.

However, Dr Lim leased the house to Leong. Since then, the two families became lifelong friends.

Leong then spent a big sum of money on renovation and the signboard with his name in capital letters "LEONG KIM TIEW" was hung above the front doors of the house.

The house had seven rooms on the second floor and it was turned into home of Leong and his family.

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