Student hero
The affable Ah Leng enjoyed helping students in need
Retired canteen operator Wong Niap Leng, more popularly known as Ah Leng, was a hero among the pioneers in the NUS medical fraternity, for helping students in financial need.
Ah Leng's canteen, which used to be perched on a small hill near the former location of King Edward VII Hall hostel, where the Singapore General Hospital currently stands 'was set up by Ah Leng's father in the 1920s. Ah Leng took over the reins in the late 1940s shortly after he got married.
The canteen was a popular hangout for medical, dentistry and pharmaceutical undergraduates, especially those residing at King Edward VII Hall, who dropped in for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper.
On the menu were signatures such as kaya toast, ham and egg sandwiches, vegetarian bee hoon, fried rice, hor fun and Hainanese chicken rice and pork chop'delicious fare that Ah Leng whipped up individually over a hot charcoal stove. Helping Ah Leng out were Mrs Wong, his eldest son Hoe Sang, as well as his daughter.
Ah Leng's canteen was also the pit stop for sporty students after their cricket or football games on the nearby field or anyone who needed a snack and to catch up with friends. Not surprisingly, the canteen doubled up as a clubhouse for the young undergraduates.
It did not matter if the students were cash-strapped'they could turn to Ah Leng to provide them meals on credit. When some needed financial assistance for their school fees, Ah Leng gladly obliged, too. In return, the students jotted down the amounts owed to Ah Leng in "555 pocket notebooks which Ah Leng still keeps with him all these years, for reminiscence's sake.
When asked about his generous gesture, the humble man smilingly said: "It was nothing. I felt happy helping the students in need.
The canteen ceased operation in 1983 to make way for the construction of the Ayer Rajah Expressway. Ah Leng who was in his 50s then, decided to retire to dedicate his time to his grandchildren. These days, the spritely 87-year-old Ah Leng spends his time watching his favourite sports channels and takes leisurely strolls around his quaint neighbourhood in Tiong Bahru.
Ah Leng has not lost his culinary touch'five minutes into the interview, he excused himself to concoct some robust tea and whip up some of his well-loved ham sandwiches. Mrs Wong said that the family still prepares Hainanese chicken rice from scratch, as well as the special chilli sauce.
Although his canteen toiling days have long gone, Ah Leng is not forgotten'he still receives invitations to reunions organised by our medical school which he occasionally attends.
Ah Leng's benevolence to students even inspired Dr Ngiam Tong Lan, a King Edward VII Hall resident in the 1960s, to compose a poem titled "Ah Leng's Place which was published in the Medical Alumni's publication Centenary of Tertiary Education. In it, Dr Ngiam wrote: as a "counsellor, banker, provider of food and drinks…Ah Leng reigned supreme.
Ah Leng is one of NUS Everyday Icons'people who have shaped the University in unique ways'to be featured in a monthly series to mark NUS' 110th anniversary.
Painting of Ah Leng's canteen by his son-in-law
