Ma Jincan
Ma Kam Chan, was a Hong Kong entrepreneur and chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. He was a major member of the Ma Kam Chan family and founded the predecessor of Tai Sang Bank, Tai Sang Money Exchange, in 1937.
Biography
Ma Kam Chan was a native of Chaoyang, Guangdong. He studied at Chaoyang Secondary School in his hometown but dropped out due to the death of his father. He started his career at a money exchange in Shantou, learning foreign exchange and gold trading. In 1930, he founded Yau Fat Money Exchange in Shantou. He moved to Hong Kong in 1936 and established Tai Sang Money Exchange, which later expanded with branches in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Macau, and Shantou.
In the 1950s, Ma diversified his business, investing in Hong Kong Chinese Bank, Victory Motor Company, Far East Insurance, Asia Insurance, and On Kwong Enterprises, among others, and entered the real estate sector. Between 1954 and 1964, he spearheaded the construction of over 30 buildings worth around HKD 100 million, including landmark projects like Ngai Chau Building in North Point and Kam Yuen Garden Mansion on Robinson Road.
During the 1967 Hong Kong riots, Ma Kam Chan actively acquired land and in 1968 founded Tai Sang Land Development Company, which became a listed company in 1973. It engaged in leasing, warehousing, and property investment. The Ma family held a 50% stake in Tai Sang Land and owned Tai Sang Bank along with numerous shopping centers, office buildings, and residential properties, with the family’s wealth estimated at over HKD 1 billion.
In early January 1984, Ma Kam Chan was admitted to Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital due to cerebral thrombosis, and passed away at 5:00 PM on January 20[1]. His funeral was held on January 27 at the Hong Kong Funeral Home with Buddhist rites[2]. He was buried at Chai Wan Buddhist Cemetery[2].
Family
Ma Kam Chan had one wife and three concubines, with 12 children. Among the more well-known are:
- Ma Ching-yue: Eldest son, Hong Kong architect, former director of Tai Sang Bank.
- Ma Ching-chung: Second son, former chairman of the Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society and vice chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited.
- Ma Ching-kuen: Third son, current CEO and general manager of Tai Sang Land, former director of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
- Ma Ching-wai: Fourth son, took over the family business with Ma Ching-chung after Ma Kam Chan’s death. Former chairman of Tai Sang Bank, now chairman and CEO of Tai Sang Land. Ex-husband of entertainers Maggie Chan and Sabrina Suen.
- Ma Ching-hang: Fifth son, current chairman of Tai Sang Bank and vice chairman of Tai Sang Land, former managing director of Tai Sang Bank, and chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 2008.[3]
- Ma Ching-yee (1952–2017): Sixth child, late Hong Kong actress, 1985 Miss Bodybuilding winner, former TVB artiste.
- Ma Ching-yeung: Youngest son, amateur racing driver, ex-husband of 1981 Miss Hong Kong 1st runner-up Penny Chien.
Others:
- Ma Ching-man
- Ma Ching-sau
- Ma Ching-keung
- Ma Ching-sam
- Ma Ching-man (second with same given name romanized)
- Ma Ching-yuen
Personal Honors
- Two-time chairman of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
- Multiple-term president of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce
- Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953
Namesakes
- HHCKLA Buddhist Ma Kam Chan Memorial English Secondary School – located in Fanling
- TWGHs Ma Kam Chan Memorial Primary School – located in Sheung Shui
- Tung Wah College (Ma Kam Chan Memorial Building) – located in King's Park