Kuala Dungun:The enduring rows of two-storey wooden shophouses in Kuala Dungun, known as 'kedai kayu,' serve as historical witnesses to the town's former status as a trading hub.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, these structures, built in 1933, retain their original timber main structures and windows, though some have been updated to accommodate modern businesses. Ang Ah Kiang, a 76-year-old local trader, highlighted the connection between these buildings and the town's evolution from a fishing village into a significant trading center.

Kuala Dungun's economic landscape shifted with the development of the iron ore mining industry in Bukit Besi from the 1930s to the 1960s, until the mine's closure in 1970. The economic boom spurred local trade, leading to the establishment of various shops catering to residents and workers.

Ang noted that around 100 wooden shop units were constructed between 1930 and 1960, housing businesses such as restaurants, hardware stores, electrical shops, motorcycle dealerships, and more. Restaurant operator Mohd Kamal Hamid has rented a shophouse since 1986, which still preserves its original structure despite several renovations.

Wan Mohd Rosli Wan Ngah, honorary secretary of the Dungun chapter of the Malaysian Historical Society, explained that in 1933, the Dungun District Office reorganized Kuala Dungun to establish a commercial center. This attracted more Chinese residents, who purchased land and shophouses, while Malay residents were relocated to Kampung Tanah Lot for better living conditions.

The migration of Hokkien Chinese from southern China began in 1922, with many settling along the Sungai Dungun estuary. They opened businesses and later dominated the wooden shophouses following the town's reorganization in 1933.