History of Kuching Division Drug Merchants Association
The organization of Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists in Kuching can be traced back to 1949. At that time, the number of people engaged in Chinese medicine and pharmaceutical industries was relatively small, and they initially formed an association.
On July 3, 1949, the Sarawak Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Pharmacists Association was officially established. The position of chairman was rotated between Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists, and everyone worked together harmoniously.
As society developed, the number of Chinese medicine clinics and pharmacies increased. Although Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists are closely related, they each faced unique challenges. In particular, pharmacists faced more difficulties and needed to unite to overcome these challenges.
On March 17, 1976 (also known as "317 Chinese Medicine Day"), the pharmacists held a meeting at Beh Kian Min Pharmacy on Hang Yang Street, Kuching, and decided to form a preparatory committee for the establishment of the First Division Drug Merchants Association, which included both Chinese and Western pharmacies.
The members of the preparatory committee were as follows:
Chairman : Yang De Qing
Vice Chairman : Bei Xin Lian
General Secretary : Guan De Qiong
Treasurer : Yang Sheng Qian
Chinese Secretary : Yang De Cai
English Secretary : Lee Zhao Neng
Auditor : Wong Tze Chong
It was also decided that Kuan De Qiong, Bei Xin Lian, Wong Tze Chong, and Yang De Cai would be responsible for drafting the association's constitution. The response from the discussions was enthusiastic, and members immediately donated funds to cover the registration costs.
The First Division Drug Merchants Association was officially registered on January 20, 1977, and soon after began recruiting members and renting premises. At that time, the association rented the fourth floor of a shop at No. 13, Song Thian Cheok Road, which was equipped with guest rooms and managed by hired staff to facilitate accommodation for out-of-town pharmacists. With the change in the naming of the states by the state government, the association was renamed Kuching Division Drug Merchants Association.
On June 10, 1977, the first general meeting was held, and the first executive committee was officially elected:
Chairman : Bei Xin Lian
Vice Chairman : Yang De Qing
General Secretary : Guan De Qiong
Deputy General Secretary : Wong Tze Chong
Treasurer : Yang Sheng Qian
Chinese Secretary : Yang De Cai
Auditor : Lee Su fen
Accountant : Zhang Feng Fan
With the concerted efforts of the successive executive committees and the support of the members, the association's affairs progressed smoothly, and the number of members increased steadily, eventually leading to insufficient space in the rented premises. In 1989, under the leadership of Chairman Yang Kunxian, a Building Fund Committee was formed with Vice Chairman Lu Yinghui as the head, to actively raise funds for the construction of a new building. With the generous donations from pharmacists both locally and abroad, and the spirit of unity, a grand and magnificent Kuching Division Drug Merchants Association Building finally stood tall on the land of Kuching.
On March 24, 1991, the building was completed, and the association held three major celebrations: "Inauguration of the New Building", "Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Association", and "Hosting the 21st General Assembly of the Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers of Malaysia". A Commemorative Booklet was published for the occasion, and the event was a grand success. At the general assembly, the association was elected as the Vice President of the Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers of Malaysia, with Chairman Yang Kunxian taking the role, contributing to the leadership of the national Chinese medicine industry.
Due to its unique geographical location, the association played a crucial role in connecting the National Federation with the East Malaysia Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations, and was also appointed as the coordinator for joint activities in East Malaysia. The association has also led the East Malaysia peers in striving for their rights from the relevant authorities.
Since then, the association has continuously held the position of Vice President in the National Federation. In 1997, our association's Chairman, Lu Yinghui, was elected as the President, responsible for promoting the systematic and professional development of Chinese medicine. In 1999, due to personal reasons, Chairman Lu resigned from the presidency, but was re-elected as Deputy President. In 2005, due to age-related reasons, President Datuk Wong Bak Chiew chose not to seek re-election, and the position of President once again fell on Chairman Lu Yinghui, who continued to lead the national Chinese medicine industry until 2011.