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Situated in the heart of Petaling Street for over eight decades, Kien Fatt Medical Store houses a Chinese herbal apothecary, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic, and a pharmacy selling over-the-counter Western medicine all under one roof. Not only did the second-generation owner Ng Chee Yat took over the family business of selling medicinal herbs, he also embellished it with his accredited qualifications as both a pharmaceutical chemist and TCM practitioner. Nowadays Chinese herbal shops can be classified into two types: selling supplements versus providing TCM treatment. Kien Fatt is among the latter, offering accessible treatment and medications. 

Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Petaling Street was a central hub for Chinese immigrants who came to Malaya to seek a living. It is where they eventually settled down and businesses sprung up to satisfy their daily needs. At that time, public medical facilities were neither commonly available nor accessible to the Chinese community, many of whom were poor labourers. Fortunately, there are a few who knew how to treat minor diseases or injuries with traditional herbs, as well as using herbal remedies to support overall bodily health. Despite being a complementary medical practice, TCM plays a vital role in maintaining one’s well-being.

TCM originated in ancient China and has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use herbs, acupuncture, and other methods to treat a wide range of conditions. Chinese herbal medicines are mainly plant-based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products. They can be packaged as powders, pastes, lotions or tablets, depending on the herb and its intended use. Generations of the Ng family have been traditional herbal medicine sellers, with Ng’s grandfather coming from China and setting up a store in Rasa. Ng’s father and uncle sought work in Kuala Lumpur, then co-founded Kien Fatt in 1942 after having amassed enough capital.

The work in a Chinese herbal shop requires tremendous effort. First of all, one needs to learn to identify all kinds of herbs, and how to classify and store them. One then gets familiar with the Baizi cabinet (literally translates as 100 cabinets), eventually knowing the contents of each drawer by heart. The hardest part involves memorizing hundreds of classic herbal medicine formulas, understanding the pharmacological and toxicological properties of each herb as well as multi-herb correlation to prevent undesirable side effects. Out of a large number of apprentices, only a handful persevered to become herbalists. 

In its early days, Kien Fatt had a reputable in-house TCM practitioner, however upon his passing, the business mainly focused on herbal medicine wholesale. As the tides turned in the ’90s, Ng Chee Yat and a few fellow TCM practitioners set up a clinic together at the rear end of Kien Fatt’s premises. Realising the value and potential of TCM treating the cause of a disease rather than alleviating symptoms, they founded the KL Academy of Chinese Medical Practice, educationally collaborated with the Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in China, to provide training and further education opportunities for TCM practice, as well as raise public awareness and acceptance of TCM. 

Now that Petaling Street has become a popular tourist attraction, most shophouses in the vicinity are turned into cafes and eateries, with a handful of traditional businesses struggling to stay afloat. Kien Fatt still holds true to its core belief of offering practical solutions to customers without costing a bomb. Though unable to replace conventional medical services, local residents and tourists alike can get effective medical relief at Kien Fatt.