JOHOR BARU: After serving four generations of the Johor royal family in eight decades of business, one of the last hand-wash laundry shops here is thinking of throwing in the towel due to the rising rent. Shanghai Dhoby, like the other remaining one – Shanghai Capital Dhoby – was opened in the 1930s by migrants from Shanghai. Chiew Kek Whye, 66, who took over the Shanghai Dhoby after his father’s retirement in 1988, said his shop in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee could be shuttered in June. “The main reason hand-wash laundry is vanishing here is simply due to lack of interest,” its owner Tong Chi Lee, 58, said. He spoke of 14-hour work days with his wife ensuring the laundry was done properly and on time.

Source: The Star January 04, 2019 21:33 UTC