Roads in Sibu have names like Foochow Road and Amoy Road to denote that these roads were designated for these two dialectic groups. In Miri, there are Hokkien. Hai Nam, Teochiew and Kwangtung Roads but no Foochow Road. Kuching has a whole area called Foochow Road area.
Interesting road names and history of development!!
However after more than half a century Sibu's Amoy Road is seeing a second wave of rural - urban migration - the indigenous people namely Ibans and Kayans are moving into the semi abandoned houses with their families after they have found fairly permanent work on construction sites and other menial industries. Those who are indigenous government civil servants have the benefit of government housing and also means to buy their own properties.
Immediately after the Japanese Occupation some of the community leaders were far sighted enough to ask for land to development new residential areas for labourers who were needed for urban development. The businessmen then were mostly Hockiens and Teochiew. From Mission Road to Amoy Road more and more move into the vicinity of Lanang Road. Bukit Assek or Ik Tek Kii was a Foochow domain. And then in 1968 the Communist threat caused the Foochows to move from their comfortable rubber gardens to Sibu. Tiong Hua Road exploded!!
However after more than half a century Sibu's Amoy Road is seeing a second wave of rural - urban migration - the indigenous people namely Ibans and Kayans are moving into the semi abandoned houses with their families after they have found fairly permanent work on construction sites and other menial industries. Those who are indigenous government civil servants have the benefit of government housing and also means to buy their own properties.
Immediately after the Japanese Occupation some of the community leaders were far sighted enough to ask for land to development new residential areas for labourers who were needed for urban development. The businessmen then were mostly Hockiens and Teochiew. From Mission Road to Amoy Road more and more move into the vicinity of Lanang Road. Bukit Assek or Ik Tek Kii was a Foochow domain. And then in 1968 the Communist threat caused the Foochows to move from their comfortable rubber gardens to Sibu. Tiong Hua Road exploded!!
40 years ago I used to ride my bicyle here(Amoy Road) to visit some school mates...in those days..only a plank walk linked the houses together. Below the plank walk was mud and at high tide...a sea of water. I wonder if my friends who used to live here ever come back for a visit...... |
In the 21st Century Amoy Road of Sibu is no longer the domain of the Hokkiens who were given the area as a starting point of their residences to help provide the man power for the construction business of Sibu after the WWII. Ibans who have moved away from their long houses in Kapit and Song are now residing in these semi-abandon houses. The original Chinese house owners have moved out to better residential areas. While waiting for further urban development the Chinese owners are renting out these homes to the low income earning Ibans. Young Iban children grow up here and attend the nearby Chinese primary schools. Most of them speak Mandarin they learn from school. |
The Chinese lanterns would indicate that the occupants in these "long houses" in Amoy are still Chinese. Motor bikes and bicyles are still the main modes of transport. Cars would clog up the small Amoy Road...Lane? Whether the development in Sibu in this area would be rapid or not depends on the political situation of the day. anything can happen. And any speed can be engaged. I only hope that ethics will play a big role in development and corporations practise there policies of ethical responsibilities and giving back to the community. Dedicated to all my friends who used to cycle with me......cheers and good health.... (Photo credits : Steve Ling Leh Tiong) |