Koh Teong Koo was not your ordinary trishaw rider. His friends did not believe him when he would pride himself rubbing elbows with the family of the great Lee Kuan Yew. Until he proved everyone wrong when the gate at No. 38 Oxley Road opened to receive him.

Friends of Koh were following him from a distance when they found themselves in great disbelief when the Gurkha guards let him in at the home of Singapore’s prime minister. Little did they know as they trailed Koh in a car from a safe distance, that their coffee shop buddy indeed was rubbing elbows with the Lee family.

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This is the story that Koh’s friends have fondly loved to tell. What his friends did not know was how the Lee family has regarded Koh as the man who helped shape the history of Singapore.

Koh’s story began in 1934 when he took his chance at life as a 22-year old native from Fujian province. His life as a rickshaw puller began in Singapore. Three years later, Madam Chua Jim Neo, a Peranakan wife took him in to regularly serve her family.

Madam Chua was the mother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He was the eldest of the five children.

It was then when Koh served the Lee’s family that he was tasked to take the Prime Minister, his three brothers and a sister to school in a rickshaw.

The Prime Minister’s youngest brother, Lee Suan Yew recalled the strength Koh had to take him and his siblings to school.

“Imagine that, one man pulling at least four of us at one go. You have to be very strong to do that,” said Dr. Lee, according Malaysia Chronicle.

The Web site noted that Koh not only dedicated his service to take the Lee children to school. The Fujian native also served as the family’s gardener and animal caretaker.

Dr. Lee recalled how Koh grew sweet potatoes and cucumbers in the Lees’ backyard at Norfolk Road, in the Farrer Park area, where they lived until 1942 and how to rear chickens and ducks.”

How did Koh rescued Lee Kuan Yew?

The Lee family recognized the impact he made in his life not only with his strength to pull the rickshaw and bring to life cucumbers and ducks. The top official family has always commended Koh for his role in helping Lee Kuan Yew escape the Japanese military which saved his life in the process.

During the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1942, Koh proved to be worthy of the Lee’s gratitude - - when he saved the life of the future Prime Minister of the Asian country.

The former Prime Minister was then 19 when he was accosted by a group of Japanese military when they found him with Koh checking out their food stock at the Norfolk Road House.

The Japanese military men ordered Lee and Koh to go to a nearby registration centre, Jalan Besar stadium. Fearing that they would be taken away by the Kempeitai, the duo decided to go to Koh’s coolie-keng, a dormitory for rickshaw pullers.

With the help of Koh’s friend at the coolie-keng, Koh and Lee stayed at the dorm for the night at 75 Maude Road, allowing them to strategize their next move to avoid screening by the Japanese military.

A different soldier was guarding the exit point of the centre where Lee and Koh were ordered to have their names registered. Still unwilling to subject themselves to any search, Lee and Koh tricked the Kempeitai saying he would just get some of his belongings.

Instead of collecting personal stuff, the duo found their way out and never returned. A day and a half later when another soldier was on the post, Lee and Koh were allowed to leave the centre.

The Straitstimes noted that they escaped the beach near Changi prison they were sure to be taken and shot to death through an exercise called Sook Ching, a way to punish the Chinese in Singapore believed to be supporting China against Japan during the war. Later reports claim that Sook Ching claimed 25,000 to 50,000 lives.

The Lee family openly recognizes Koh, the rickshaw puller Koh Teong Koo who played a major role in how Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew escaped Sook Ching, leading a safe life and becoming Singapore’s most popular government official, known for his strong leadership and initiatives that led to national development.

TagsLee Kuan Yew, Sook Ching, Koh Teong Koo, rickshaw puller