Best Friend of Karel Bos?
Boen Gan Tan (B. G. Tan)
I am thrilled to have made contact with Boen Tan, the grandson of the jeweler Tan Siauw Khing! It has been indeed one of the greatest highlights in this journey. (Who would have ever thought?!) With as often as our two grandfathers are referenced together and had "worked" together (Tan Siauw Khing commissioned my grandfather's architectural works), I can't help but believe that they must have been friends as well, especially considering the years that went by just from the Twin Building project alone. I truly feel like connecting with Boen Tan must have made our grandfathers smile. Boen Tan has shared with me so many wonderful and historical photos that have been shared on the page "THE ARCHITECT: Architecture: Commercial."
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While they share the same name, "Tan", the two Tans (jeweler and contractor) are not related. There were so many articles that referenced "Tan and Bos", with just their last names, it is difficult to say which Tan they were referring to, as my grandfather was so involved with both.
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That said, I am still wanting and hoping to find a descendant of Boen Gan Tan, as this is who my grandfather wrote to in one of his postcards from internment camp, and who he mentioned to his/our family in the other postcards.
Boen Gan Tan
Director of Tan Construction and Contractors Bureau
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While this website's main focus is the man and legacy of KAREL H. G. BOS, I am designating a page to B.G. Tan. The two are listed and mentioned together in dozens of newspaper articles and announcements. The articles are business related, however, there are also some that show them at community events together. (It is also possible that some of these are Tan Siauw Khing, who commissioned my grandfather, as often times only the name "Tan" is mentioned.)
Not only were they on-going business colleagues in multiple ventures, but it is my firm belief that they were BEST FRIENDS, and someone whom my grandfather entrusted with his family, as evident from the postcards written by my grandfather while imprisoned in the internment camp (See page: "THE WW2 PRISONER: Internment Camp.) He makes multiple references to B.G. Tan being the one that his family needs to request help from while he is imprisoned. He also added a personal note on one of the postcards from internment, specifically addressed to B. G. Tan.
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So I feel that I am honoring Karel H. Bos, by honoring his friend, B. G. Tan I believe my grandfather would be very happy that I did.
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B. G. Tan ; Director of Tan Construction and Contractors Bureau.
B.G. Tan was the Director of Construction for my grandfather's project of the REX CINEMA THEATER, and was in attendance for the cornerstone laying ceremonies, as well as being mentioned twice in the article for tis event. (See page: "THE ARCHITECT: Architecture: Commercial.")
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1. The Client: B.G. Tan of the Tan Tiong Ie Family
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B.G. Tan (Tan Boen Gan) was a member of the incredibly wealthy and influential Tan Tiong Ie family. They were powerful Chinese-Indonesian (Peranakan) businessmen who had made their fortune primarily in the sugar industry, earning them the title of "sugar barons."
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In the 1930s, commissioning a grand, modern villa from a leading European architect on the most prestigious street in Malang (Idjen Boulevard) was a powerful way for families like the Tans to display their wealth, modernity, and social standing within the city's elite circles. Karel H. Bos was commissioned by B.G. Tan to design his family's new residence, at Idjen Boulevard No. 84.​
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The Tan Tiong Ie family was extensive. Following the immense political and economic upheavals in Indonesia during the 20th century (the Japanese occupation, the Indonesian Revolution, and the nationalization of assets in the 1950s/60s), many members of these powerful Chinese-Indonesian families emigrated. Descendants are now scattered across the globe, with significant numbers settling in the Netherlands, Singapore, the United States, and Australia, while others remained in Indonesia.
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Source: ChatGPT Open AI accessed June/July 2025