Sibu : Malay Union Club in Kampong Nyabor

My grandfather bought some of rubber land from the Malays of Kampong Nyabor after the Second World War on which he and my father built five wooden houses, one of which was for my father.

My grandfather was looking forward to his retirement and having his children live in Sibu, instead of Pulau Kerto and Bintangor. He was far sighted and believed that Sibu was opening up. Moreover he had seven sons who would inherit his property.

Moreover he had already bought 2 shop lots in Sibu town, and two shop lots in Bintagor.

He himself was adamant about staying in Sg. Merah where he had quite a big rubber garden, land which he cleared not long after he arrived in Sibu. He had let the rubber trees grow and engaged some of the new Foochow arrivals to work on his land. This was the undulating land for his retirement. He  could grow his bananas, bamboo shoots and some more rubber. He enjoyed growing flowers and vegetables, fruit trees and supervising his rubber tapping tenants. (He had three families who shared the rubber tapping with him)

He and his brother in law, Chong Jin Bok, had opened up the Sg. Merah land together. The senior Chongs had by then arrived in Sibu to stay with them.

My father was given the job of looking after the Kampng Nyabor houses, acting as Assistant Landlord. Being a fluent Malay speaker,  he was friends with the Malay neighbours. He was often in deep conversations with his friends Tuanku Haji Bujang and Abang Koh, if they met.  The Tuanku's house was almost back to back to ours.

My grandfather's property along Kampong Nyabor/ Kung Ping Road was bought from a Malay friend. When my grandfather took out his own money to build a private road, many of the Malay and Chinese house owners were delighted because they had a new and wider road! Today the Malay property forms the row of shops from Art Friends to Bangunan Wong Siong Ting. My old home is now Orchid Hotel.

In those days the Malay Union Club was at the junction of the Kung Ping Road (My Grandfather's road) and Kampong Nyabor Road. It was quite a social centre in those days. I remember the Bangsawan and the other functions that they held.

At night when they had games and functions, a band would play and the loudspeaker would be so loud we could hear everything from our house. They would have stalls for "tikam" and other games and amusement. Some joget would be going on too.

Above is a very old photo of the Malay Union Club members who were here with their Chinese counterparts to welcome the Governor.

Many years after my father passed away we met several Malay friends of his who thanked my mother for the advice my father gave to them. My father from time to time had also advised the kampong people about banking and business as he was a Sibu councillor.

 They were the few who did not sell their land too early and they had held on to their land. In exchange they owned shares in the newly developed shophouses. As Sibu was then a small town, the kampong folks would be able to recognise many of their Chinese friends from the town. They were thrilled to meet my mum in town.