The household name Salih Ahmad has stood on India Street since post-WWII and remains an icon in Sarawak’s melting pot today. Dr Shajahan, from the second generation, shares the shop’s history, discussing his father, the shop itself, and its future.
Salih Ahmad: Bridging generations through textiles
This is the first of a two-part series on the rich history of Salih Ahmad, a resilient textile store in Kuching that has withstood the test of time.
Back when commercialised clothing was not widely available, textile stores post-WWII thrived with their plentiful array of fabrics. Against the walls of each shop were photos of models showcasing the fabric sewn into the trendy styles of the time. Textile brands like SB Line and Australia’s John Kaldor captivated consumers, along with other fabrics flown in from abroad.
At Salih Ahmad, it was no different. Today, the textile store is among the few that survive in this sunset industry. Located in India Street Pedestrian Mall, Kuching, the name Salih Ahmad is a household name that many have significant memories of.
Managed by its second generation, Dr Shajahan Sayed Ahmad took over the business in 1997. Though he was still a doctor posted at Jalan Masjid Health Clinic then, he would visit the shop on India Street during his free time and after work.
The story of Sayed Ahmad
Sharing his father’s migration story from the Tanjore District, a state in Tamil Nadu, South India, to Sarawak in the early ‘30s, Dr Shajahan explained that his father, Sayed Ahmad, moved for greener pastures. Coincidentally, India was also under British rule, which made the move easier.
Dr Shajahan further disclosed that Kuching was not his father’s first stop.
“Upon reaching the shores of Kuching from Singapore, he took a smaller ship to Mukah, where his older brother had opened a textile shop.”
Explaining his uncle’s decision to establish a textile business in rural Sarawak, the 64-year-old said it was due to the demand in that area.
“Despite my maternal grandfather being in the spice industry in India and Burma, there was scarce demand for it back then.”
When Sayed reached Mukah, he stayed there for about 20 years, learning the tips and tricks of the textile industry. Fluent in the Melanau and Iban languages by then, Sayed decided to open his own textile shop in the bustling city of Kuching.
Back in those days, Kuching was the hub for Sarawak’s economy, serving as the primary centre for business and development in the region. Therefore, Sayed believed it would be better to open a business there rather than in Mukah.
After the war, Salih Ahmad was established as a partnership between Sayed and his friend, Salih. Initially, the shop on India Street operated only half of its space, with one half selling textiles and the other half selling spices.
“Later on, after his friend passed away, my father took over the business fully in 1971, having run it together since 1949. He kept the store’s name, leading people to refer to him as Salih Ahmad. Following this, Salih Ahmad ceased selling spices and expanded to occupy the entire shop lot.”
Recalling those days, Dr Shajahan revealed that after expanding the business, his father had allocated the ground floor for textiles, the second floor for selling curtains, and the third floor for stock keeping.
Taking over the business
Born in India, Dr Shajahan arrived in Sarawak when he was six years old in 1966. Growing up in the same shop lot on India Street, he and his three younger siblings stayed on the upper floor of the business. According to him, it was common for business owners to reside above their shops in those days.
After graduating from St Thomas Secondary School with a Senior Cambridge certificate, he proceeded to study medicine.
“Upon graduating, I worked as a general doctor with the government from 1988 until my retirement in 2016.”
Being the third in the family, Dr Shajahan felt a sense of responsibility to continue the business, which motivated him to take over Salih Ahmad.
“Since I was young, I stayed here and was exposed to the family business.”
He added that despite working in the medical field, he became well-versed in business due to the time spent at the shop.
“In that way, my interest in the business was sparked.”
Among his three younger siblings, his youngest brother has opened a fabric shop on Jalan Gambier, facing the floating mosque. Though inspired by Salih Ahmad, this textile business operates independently from the parent business, he added.
As a doctor, Dr Shajahan was part of the flying doctor service in the late ‘90s. During this time, he visited many small communities in the interior of Sarawak.
“From my visits, I learned and understood the culture of the people in the rural areas, from Tanjung Datu to Limbang and Lawas. These experiences have taught me the ins and outs of Sarawak,” he said.
While spending time in these remote regions, he also familiarised himself with the different motifs and designs of various ethnicities. Proficient in Iban and Kelabit motifs, Dr Shajahan then began creating his own patterns and had them printed. Through this initiative, he aimed to establish his textile shop as unique among others.
Salih Ahmad — a name to remember
Regardless of decades, Salih Ahmad remains a household name for many generations. It was in this textile store where conversations and laughter came alive over patterns and colours. Dr Shajahan shared that they still carry fabrics from the past to this day.
“We still sell fabrics such as kasa robia, imported from Switzerland since the 1960s, often used for making kebaya nyonya. The older generation still visits to purchase this material. Additionally, we continue to stock traditional crepe sulam from Japan and Taiwan that we have carried for decades,” he said.
As one of the few textile shops remaining on India Street, Salih Ahmad stands strong despite the area’s many developments. Offering hundreds of patterns to choose from, the shop continues to uphold the traditional culture of fabric customisation, which is integral to the stories of Sarawak.
