Kien Fatt Medical Store in Petaling Street
Petaling Street is known for many things – the bustling heart of tourists, lively haggles, and quietly enduring businesses that have stood the test of time. Among them sits Kien Fatt Medical Store, a place where heritage and healing intertwine. The family-run traditional Chinese medicine store keeps the art of ancient healing alive, offering a way of looking at health from a perspective different from Western medicine.
We sat down with the current torchbearer of the 83-year-old medical store in Petaling Street, who shared his insights on this timeless practice and what it means to sustain tradition in today’s world of modern medicine.
A family-run Chinese medicine store
Tucked away along Petaling Street and established in 1942, Kien Fatt Medical Store has witnessed and been part of the many changes that have shaped the area, growing alongside it with rows of more than 300 jars of herbs stacked neatly inside the shop.
Inside, the gentle scent of herbs drifts through the air, a stark contrast to the waft of street food outside its doors. Here, the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, also called TCM, takes root, including its belief that once your five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – are in harmony, your body naturally finds the strength to heal itself.
When we spoke to the second-generation owner, Associate Professor Ng Chee Yat, he shared that his journey into natural medicine began when he graduated as a pharmacist in 1981 from Aston University in the UK. Despite gaining a wealth of knowledge in Western medicine, he chose to pursue the path of Chinese medicine instead. Inspired by his late father, Ng Kien Poon, he went on to earn a Diploma in TCM in 1993.
In 1997, Professor Yat co-founded a school of TCM in KL, which became the leading institution offering programmes related to this field of medicine in Malaysia. When his father passed away in 2000, he took over the family business and sought to expand its legacy.
Today, the institution offers external Bachelor, Master, and PhD degree courses in Chinese Medicine in collaboration with Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, one of the top five universities of its kind in China, which is recognised by the Malaysian government.
Generations of knowledge passed down
Professor Yat explained to us that each of the body’s five elements corresponds to specific organs, emotions, and natural rhythms within the body.
Take insomnia, for example. Instead of simply prescribing sleeping pills, Chinese medicine might use acupuncture, herbal remedies, or even the nurturing experience of being cared for in a calm and supportive space. Sometimes, the act of feeling seen, heard, and restored can bring sleep more effectively than a tablet, Professor Yat shared.
Additionally, traditional remedies focus on harmonising the body’s inner elements instead of just targeting a single problem. Documented over more than 4,000 years, Chinese medicine records what works, which herbs to use, and how they affect the body. Generations have observed and documented the effects of herbs, noting how each interacts with the body.
With hundreds of active compounds in a single root or leaf, these remedies focus on going beyond treating symptoms, looking to support the body as a whole.
“Every culture has its own medicine”, Prof Yat reflected, “but what makes Chinese medicine strong is the way it has been written, studied, and refined over time”. Of course, results vary from person to person, but with proper documentation and diagnosis, the chances of effective healing grow.
A cultural heritage that still heals today
Walking into a clinic when you are unwell is what most of us would do, yet there are loyal patients who still believe in natural medicine and continue to walk into Kien Fatt Medical Store. Chinese physicians “look at you as a whole” – your complexion, your energy, and your internal balance, Professor Yat explained. For many, this holistic approach feels more personal, as though the treatment goes deeper than the illness itself.
Beyond science, Chinese traditional medicine is about culture. Many Malaysians turn to it not only for physical relief but also as a way to stay connected to their heritage. It’s become a way for many to stay mindful of their environment and their bodies, encouraging a basic awareness of health before illnesses become severe.
When we asked Professor Yat what matters most when it comes to health, the physicist highlighted the basics: good sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating well. “Health is wealth”, he shared. Without these foundations, it is impossible to sustain long-term well-being.
“Natural medicines are workable, and they have results”, he said. “But the key is proper documentation and understanding the system of diagnosis”. So while a quick fix is what we often go for, traditional medicine takes its time, just like it would with a growing soul.
An ancient healing practice that still matters
Medicines play an important role in our well-being. This ancient practice, refined through generations of study and experience, continues to prove its value in today’s modern world, even while it may not deliver the quick results of Western medicine.
Chinese medicine shows us that the old ways still work. And as Kien Fatt Medical Store continues to serve the community, it reminds us that some traditions are worth holding onto, even in an age where modern medicine reigns supreme.
Address: 59, Jalan Petaling, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 03-2022 2142
For more unique spots to check out with inspiring stories, read:
- Petaling Street’s oldest photo studio
- 100-year-old bar in Melaka
- Petaling Street Asam Laksa
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Some quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Photography by Sarah.