The son of Ong Ewe Hai, Ong Tiang Swee was born in Kuching in 1864 and studied in Singapore. From the age of 18 years, he assisted in his father’s business and at 21, he managed to help his father win the bids for the Farm Tax System licence in Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah). Ong Tiang Swee with his astute trade capability founded Hiap Soon Hin Company (顺兴宝号) at no. 86 Ewe Hai Street. He subsequently established Ong Tiang Swee and Son Company (王长水父子公司) and diversified into several other businesses. Throughout this time he maintained good relationships with both the second and third rajahs. Not only was he appointed as the Chinese Kapitan, he was also the Chinese Chief Magistrate and a member of the Rajah’s government council. He was highly regarded as the highest ranked Chinese leader of that time.
He was also the chairman of Hockien Association and one of his outstanding achievements was earning the support of the Rajah in establishing the Hockien School (福建义校). Ong Tiang Swee passed away at his Rock Road home in 1950 at the ripe age of 86. On his funeral day, flags were flown at half mast to honour the great contribution he had rendered to Sarawak.
王长水先生
王友海之子,1864年出生在古晋,青年时在新加坡求学,18岁就开始协助父亲的生意,在21岁时更协助父亲标得砂拉越和北婆(沙巴)两地的饷码营业执照。长袖善舞的王长水在友海街86号自创协顺兴宝号,而后成立王长水父子公司,旗下业务多元化。他和第二及第三代拉者关系非常密切,不但受委华人总甲必丹,也曾经受委华人裁判庭庭长,更是拉者政府所委任的议员,官方和民间皆他尊为当代最高华人领袖。
他也曾经是福建公会的主席,任内功绩之一就是取得拉者支持开办福建义校。1950年,王长水在古晋大石路的家中逝世,享寿86岁,当天所有政府机构下半旗致哀,高度肯定其对砂拉越的巨大贡献。