What makes Choo Yew Choon the last trishaw maker in Penang?

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Choo Yew Choon is Identified as Penang's Sole Remaining Trishaw Craftsman Due to a Lack of Successors and Declining Trade

Choo Yew Choon is widely considered the last craftsman actively building trishaws on Penang island. This distinction arises from his unique position as the final practitioner of a trade that has significantly diminished due to the rise of modern transportation and a lack of interest from the younger generation. He plans to retire in the coming years, further solidifying the potential end of this craft in its current form on the island.
A Vanishing Craft Amidst Modernisation

Trishaws, once a common sight across Malaysia and the region, have seen a steep decline in their prevalence. This obsolescence is largely attributed to the widespread adoption of modern transport systems that emerged alongside the region's economic development. Choo, at 66, is one of the few, if not the only one, still engaged in the meticulous construction of these pedal-driven vehicles, producing an estimated three to four annually, each priced at RM7,500.
Generational Succession Gap

The continuation of the trishaw building craft faces a significant hurdle in generational succession. Choo represents the fourth generation of his family involved in this trade, which dates back approximately a century. However, none of his own children have expressed interest in learning the craft. Choo himself is disinclined to teach them, citing the demanding nature of the work and the increasing difficulty in sourcing essential spare parts.
Distinctive Craftsmanship and Regional Variations

Choo's workshop is a testament to a dying art, where he meticulously bends and welds steel frames and wooden seating areas, incorporating factory-made components. A single trishaw can take up to six weeks to complete. The trishaws built in Penang also exhibit stylistic differences when compared to those found in Malacca. While Malacca's trishaws, popular with tourists, feature the rider seated alongside passengers, Penang's designs typically have the handler pedalling from behind. This stylistic divergence highlights regional adaptations of the trishaw's design and function.

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What makes Choo Yew Choon the last trishaw maker in Penang?

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