People & Memories
A Brief Biography of the Mr. Lau King Howe By the late Reverend Lim Khai Cheng written in the 1960s
Mr. Lau King Howe, was the second son of the Pastor Lau Meng-Shy and Madam Hii, originally from the Nan Yu Village of the Hou Guan District of the Hokkien Province in China.
He was diligent and intelligent, and was highly regarded during his school years.
After completing his studies at the Methodist Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow, he entered the Teachers Training College in Manila, the Philippines, where he passed the final examination with honours. He later became the principal of a Chinese school in Manila.
Before long, he returned to China and worked as a Chief Secretary at the Head Office of the Salt Affairs Audit Department in the Province of Sze-Chuan. Subsequently, he engaged in business in Shanghai.
Mr. Lau King Howe, who had a kind and generous heart, was also a devoted Christian. In 1916, he came to Sibu, Sarawak, where he managed a rubber plantation. In order to improve medical services in Sibu, in 1930, after consulting Rev. James M. Hoover and Rev. Lim Khai Cheng, he expressed his willingness to donate all his property to the Government for the establishment of a large and modern hospital to benefit the people of Sibu.
He later wrote to Mr. C. D. Adams, the Resident of the Third Division, Sibu, Sarawak, regarding this donation. Mr. Adams then sought the advice of the Rajah of Sarawak on the matter.
On 22 November 1930, Mr. J. C. Swayne, the Chief Secretary of the State of Sarawak, replied accepting the donation and promised that the proposed hospital would be named Lau King Howe Hospital.
On 7 March 1931, Mr. Lau King Howe was honoured by Mr. Charles Vyner Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak, who presented him with a commemorative metal plaque in recognition of his generosity.
Later, as Mr. Lau wished to return to China, he and Mr. Adams authorized Rev. James M. Hoover and Rev. Lim Khai Cheng to manage all the donated property and to oversee the completion of the proposed hospital. In May 1931, Mr. Lau retired and returned to China. The following year, he passed away in October 1932.
With the aim of improving social welfare, as mentioned above, Mr. Lau King Howe donated his property for the establishment of a large and modern hospital in Sibu.
In appreciation of his generosity and contribution, the Government named the hospital Lau King Howe Hospital as a lasting memorial to his kindness and public spirit. I have written this account so that future generations may better understand how the hospital received its present name.
