Illustrious story of the Chang family

From the mid-19th century onwards, due to livelihood concerns and the turmoil of war, a significant number of people from Southeast and South China migrated to Southeast Asia. Mr. Chang's grandparents, facing dire poverty, made the courageous decision to venture from China to the Malay Peninsula, specifically to the northeastern state of Kelantan, Malaysia. This region, adjacent to the Thai border, boasted abundant natural resources. Starting from scratch, they established a Chinese herbal medicine store, importing goods from China, Thailand, Singapore, and other places to provide medicine and medical services to the local residents. Over time, the family expanded their business, establishing coffee shops, hotels, porcelain specialty stores, grocery stores, and more.

In addition to their business acumen, the ancestors of the Chang family were known for their philanthropy. Many Chinese immigrants, known as "Luohan Jiao," arrived in Kelantan from China, destitute and penniless. Mr. Chang's grandparents generously supported them, providing relief to the impoverished and offering them a place to stay, meals, and even adopting three orphans as part of their family. This act of kindness became a local legend in Kelantan, establishing a reputation for the family's exemplary character and philanthropy. Mr. Chang's grandparents had already demonstrated a selfless sense of social responsibility at that time.

Facing economic changes and considering the family's future vision, Mr. Chang's father showed great courage and ambition. Despite initial financial constraints, he seized opportunities and switched to managing rubber plantations, and later ventured into the more promising palm oil industry, bringing new business opportunities to the family and expanding into traditional industries with long-term potential. However, Mr. Chang's father was not content with the status quo. With forward-thinking vision, he actively explored new industries, including logging.

During a logging operation, they unexpectedly discovered a rich mineral deposit in a forest. After analyzing ore samples, they found abundant mineral resources, which not only changed their fate but also strengthened their economic power.

Mr. Chang and his brother fully committed themselves to the family business, participating in rubber plantations, palm oil plantations, logging, and other operations, pioneering more industries for the Kelantan state government. More rich mineral deposits were discovered in Kelantan and other areas, sparking their interest in exploration. They journeyed to Aring in the south of Kelantan, as well as to foreign countries such as Myanmar and Thailand, in search of more mineral resources.

On the Thai-Burma border, Mr. Chang actively explored potential mineral deposits, accumulating practical experience in mining and related industries. For over five years, he resided in the border region, delving deep into Thai-Burmese culture, learning various mining knowledge, and installing advanced mining equipment. Particularly successful was their tin mining venture, which provided many job opportunities for the local poor and improved the local economy. In addition to mining, realizing the global food crisis, Mr. Chang also ventured into agriculture, learning agricultural knowledge and cultivating crops such as sweet potatoes and papayas for local use and export.

After years of adventures abroad, Mr. Chang and his brother realized that returning to their hometown, Kelantan, was the key to achieving greater accomplishments. In Kelantan, they not only developed rubber plantations, logging, mining, and agriculture but also mined sand in the state. Sand is not only an important construction material but also effectively addresses Kelantan's long-standing flood problems, caused by sedimentation in many rivers. Excavating sand not only serves construction purposes but also benefits the people of Kelantan, protecting them from the losses and risks of flooding.

Mr. Chang also actively developed real estate, with 600 acres of land in the Lojing Highlands undergoing active development for urban planning, agricultural tourism, five-star resorts, universities, residential areas, and commercial buildings. The plan aims to make the Lojing Highlands a center for agriculture and tourism, creating job opportunities and promoting local economic development. The establishment of the university will also establish an agricultural research center to cultivate agricultural and management talents.

At the same time, Mr. Chang seized the opportunity in the bird's nest industry in Kelantan and set up swiftlet farms in Kelantan's Gua Musang district to harvest high-quality bird's nests.

To facilitate the transportation of products, Mr. Chang built a pier at Tok Bali, located at the mouth of the river on the east side of Kelantan, serving as a hub for maritime transportation.

In addition to developing agriculture in the Thai-Burmese border region, Kelantan's agricultural development now focuses on the Lojing Highlands, Tok Bali, and Jeram Pasu. These industries bring continuous vitality to the development of Kelantan. Adhering to the noble tradition of his ancestors' philanthropy, Mr. Chang collaborates with the Kelantan prison, providing opportunities for inmates to learn planting skills, planting melons in orchards, paving the way for their future, and providing opportunities for survival and rebirth after release.

Furthermore, Mr. Chang is also passionate about mother tongue education. In Malaysia, there is a shortage of resources for mother tongue education, requiring significant social support. Mr. Chang donates agricultural products, and the proceeds from charity sales go to schools. This initiative has received unanimous praise and recognition from the Chinese community.

Mr. Chang, inheriting the adventurous spirit of his ancestors, tirelessly develops various industries, leading the enterprise across various industries with extraordinary courage and vision, while also giving back to society, benefiting the masses, and writing his own legendary story. He is the pride and model of Kelantan.