What did Hoo Ah Kay contribute to Singapore?

Answer 1

Hoo Ah Kay, Whampoa (1816-1880) popularly known as Whampoa, Hoo Ah Kay was the best-known and most-liked Chinese in the Straits Settlements in the 1850s. The moniker Whampoa came from the fact that he was born at Whampoa near Canton in Southern China. Hoo Ah Kay came to Singapore in 1830 when he was 15 years old. He built a flourishing ship chandler business and later diversified into bakery and property business. He also imported ice from the United States and built his ice house at River Valley Road which no longer exists today. Whampoa was one of the very few Chinese at the time who spoke English and was thus an indispensable bridge between the Chinese and English business communities. He rose to higher political office than any other Chinese of his time; for instance, he became the first Asian to be appointed to the Legislative Council in 1867 under the British Colonial Government. He also held positions as Consul of Russia, China and Japan in Singapore. The Whampoa area, including the river and bridge that spans the Whampoa canal at Serangoon Road, were all named after him.

See the related link for more information.