The Origin of (Pasaraya) Ong Tai Kim (Supermarket)

Do you know that the Pasaraya Ong Tai Kim got its name from its founder, the late Ong Tai Kim?

This affable and plump gentleman started his business in the 70s and the original shop where he started from was a timber structure located across the road from where the current Pasaraya Ong Tai Kim is now located.

Several years later, the row of brick shophouses were built. If I am not mistaken, it was in the early 80s and the wooden structures replaced. Ong Tai Kim then moved to the newer premises, occupying two lots side-by-side and complete with a basement.

The row of shophouses formed the fringe of Kampung Lee Kong Chian or better known among the Hokkien residents there as Gong Bak Goh Kee meaning Gombak Fifth Mile (or Batu Lima in Malay) stretching from the southern entrance (in front of the traffic lights to Setapak Garden) to the northern entrance (after the bridge just a short distance from the junction to Taman Ibukota.

Today, Pasaraya Ong Tai Kim has become the icon of Gombak and is an often referred-to landmark that is synonymous with Gombak.

The complex today occupies five floors with the ground floor being the supermarket and sundry goods section.

Pasaraya Ong Tai Kim is open from 9am to 10pm. Parking is bad so be prepared to park far and walk. Within its vicinity is the Medan Idaman Complex, a shopping complex wannabe that caters to the local makcik and ah sohs. Oh, it is a heaven for handphones and accessories.