Try GOLD - Free
'Batik Uncle' of Holland Village celebrates 100th birthday in style
The Straits Times
|December 14, 2025
Gifts, cake and celebrity guests made for a 100th birthday to remember for Mr Ang Kum Siong, known to many as the "Batik Uncle" of Holland Road Shopping Centre.
Mr Ang is the founder of Wellie Batik, which has provided tailored batik pieces to a discerning clientele since 1978.
He has operated out of the third-floor of the strata mall next to Holland Village MRT station all this time, though occupying different units over the years.
Though Mr Ang's 100th birthday party was due to begin only at 3.30pm on Dec 13, the immediate vicinity around Wellie Batik was already buzzing with a festive atmosphere when The Sunday Times stopped by nearly an hour earlier.
And the celebrations continued even past 5.30pm, with the 100-year-old batik tailor - who is still working - greeting a seemingly endless stream of well-wishers on his special day.
Mrs Mary Tan, the wife of former president Tony Tan Keng Yam, was one of many visitors who popped in and out for a quick photograph with Mr Ang.
Other special visitors included Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who had reportedly stopped by earlier in the afternoon for a quick chat with Mr Ang.
This story is from the December 14, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Cambodians flee border areas but worry about kids' life at relief sites
303,200 displaced civilians facing growing concern over income, health and education
4 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Thailand vows to continue military operations against Cambodia
Bangkok seemingly rebuffs Trump’s call for ceasefire; ASEAN could send observer team
4 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Indonesian floods leave rare orang utans at risk of extinction
Indonesia's deadly flooding was an “extinction-level disturbance” for the world’s rarest great ape, the tapanuli orang utan, causing catastrophic damage to its habitat and survival prospects, scientists warned on Dec 12.
2 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Pritam Singh, Mediacorp apologise after comments on CNA show deemed by AGC to be in contempt of court
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh has apologised to the court for statements he made on CNA programme.
3 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
MOE on track to hire over 1,000 teachers as applications rise
Singapore is on track to recruit more than 1,000 new educators in 2025, with half of the applicants coming from mid-career backgrounds.
3 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Clubs have to respect Afcon, says Moyes as teams fret
Players heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) should depart with the blessings of their respective clubs, according to Everton manager David Moyes, but his viewpoint might not be shared by rivals who face weeks without some of their top names.
2 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
ROMANTIC WARRIOR STANDS OUT
Dec I4 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) preview
1 min
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Class sizes matter as teaching workload changes, say Singapore teachers
Even the best teachers struggle with large classes, a sentiment echoed by primary and secondary school teachers The Sunday Times spoke to.
5 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Understated Aston Villa are credible EPL title contenders
As England's second city, Birmingham has an undeserved reputation as an unlovable industrial metropolis.
2 mins
December 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Philippine V-P Duterte faces graft complaint
A group of civilians including two former government officials filed a graft complaint against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte, in a fresh political challenge for the estranged deputy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
1 mins
December 14, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size