{"id":213,"date":"2024-02-29T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=213"},"modified":"2024-02-29T16:17:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T08:17:10","slug":"membakut-shophouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/membakut-shophouse\/","title":{"rendered":"Nostalgia in Membakut: Exploring Sabah’s Colonial Township and Railroad Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Isn’t the feeling of nostalgia wonderful? Whether it’s listening to oldies songs, donning vintage fashion, or gazing at black-and-white photographs, it’s like taking a journey back in time\u2014a journey filled with fond memories and reflections on history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
The train still passes by Membakut town every day, just like it did a century ago. However, Membakut has since transformed into a quiet rustic town, especially since the highway became the preferred means of transportation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amidst the rising tide of featureless cement buildings in Sabah, one can’t help but appreciate the nostalgic charm of the pre-World War II and post-war wooden shophouses in Membakut town. These colonial relics, meticulously preserved on the West Coast, stand as enduring testaments to Sabah’s past. Constructed during the British colonial era, these shophouses line up parallel to the railway, once vital arteries for transporting agricultural goods along the west coast route to the port of Jesselton, now known as Kota Kinabalu City (KK in short).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
A pre-WWII shophouse. The township of Membakut was blooming during the 1920s-late 1930s due to the railway and agriculture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pre-War Shophouses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dating back to the 1930s North Borneo era, two wooden shophouses in Membakut serve as captivating relics of the past, offering a window into the bustling railway station and vibrant town life of yesteryears. Positioned adjacent to these pre-war structures stands a post-war shophouse, constructed in the early 1950s, along with several other century-old buildings, all clustered within a mere 200-metre radius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/a>
Two Pre-WWII shophouses and weekly tamu market at Membakut old township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Membakut, situated along the 134-kilometre railway line, was a vital stop on the North Borneo railway (now Sabah State Railway) during its peak. The ornate bargeboards adorning Membakut’s wooden shophouses bear testimony to the town’s erstwhile prosperity. These architectural details, meticulously crafted, reflect a bygone era when the railway was at the heart of the township’s economy. Remarkably, the railway still operates today as Borneo’s sole rail network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Membakut<\/a>
Membakut old township’s main buildings consist of pre-WWII shop rows with decorative bargeboards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Century-old wooden houses, such as those in Membakut, are characterized by intricate hand-crafted embellishments, including decorative trim, carved woodwork, and ornate moldings. The original facade of the pre-WWII Membakut shophouses boasts louvered casement windows, complemented by half-doors at the shoplot’s center. Transom openings above each window ensure ample natural light floods the upper floors, even when the louvred panels are closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dilapidated<\/a>
Dilapidated balconies decorated with louvered panels and small British Victorian brackets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Turning to the side elevation of the pre-WWII Membakut shophouses reveals extended upper floors, complete with a main verandah at the front and a secondary one at the rear. This dual-purpose structure\u2014part shop on the ground level, part residence above\u2014epitomizes the essence of a shophouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Louvered<\/a>
Louvered casement windows of the Pre-WWII shophouse. Transom openings above each window allow more sunlight to enter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While concrete etchings suggest the construction year of 1932, there is ambiguity surrounding whether this date denotes the building’s inception or merely an upgrade to the pavement. Consequently, the true age of these pre-WWII shophouses may exceed the indicated date significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Etchings<\/a>
Don’t forget to look at the floor. Etchings of old Chinese coins (a symbol of wealth) on the concrete pavement slabs of Pre-war shophouses in Membakut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Interior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After exploring the old buildings and tamu markets, my friends and I grabbed breakfast at Kedai Kopi Chuan Huat, a Chinese coffee shop in one of the pre-war buildings. The Teo family, who run the place, noticed our interest in the architecture and kindly gave us a quick tour of their shophouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kedai<\/a>
Kedai Kopi Chuan Huat (\u6cc9\u53d1\u8336\u5ba4) is one of the few shops that remain open in the old shophouses of Membakut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Traditional Sabah shophouses from the British colonial era typically have two levels. The ground floor serves as the shop, while the kitchen, airwell, and toilet are at the back. Floods were common back then, hence the lower level’s concrete floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shop<\/a>
Each unit of Membakut shophouse usually comprises a shop area, airwell and kitchen on the ground floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We climbed a covered staircase to the living quarters upstairs. Because of its age, the fire department advises against living here. So, most people have moved out, and their shops are closed. A few still run businesses downstairs, but no one lives above anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Left:<\/a>
Left: staircase to the upper floor. Right: the wooden structures of upper floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walking upstairs felt like stepping into the past. I felt a sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu, recalling childhood memories spent in similar buildings where my great-grandparents lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The upper floor of a shophouse unit can accommodate 3 bedrooms, a living space and an internal airwell. Room placement varies from one shophouse to another. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The creaky floorboards whispered tales of the past as we explored rooms filled with vintage furnishings and memorabilia. In a world of sleek modernity, there’s something charming about embracing the old-fashioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The rooms in the upper floor of a pre-WWII shophouse in Membakut. The guy in the middle is a member of the Teo family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For today’s generation used to modern construction materials like cement and glass, these old timber buildings offer a glimpse into the past\u2014a reminder of past craftsmanship and architectural ingenuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/a>
View into the internal airwell, showing the walk way to the open kitchen area, water storage tank, washing and drying areas. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As we wandered through the upper floor, glimpses into the internal airwell and kitchen area gave us a peek into the lives of past residents. The layout encouraged interaction between floors, with voices echoing throughout the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Old Buildings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Destinations like France, Thailand, and India draw throngs of tourists thanks to their rich cultural and historical heritage. Borneo is a “brand” renowned for its natural beauty and adventurous tales of European explorers. Yet, without historical relics, Sabah risks losing its distinctive Bornean identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"One<\/a>
One of the pre-war shophouses in Membakut old township. It’s not in good shape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The colonial buildings in Membakut, adorned with lattice-framed arches and bargeboards, serve as potential models for architectural restoration. These structures, bearing the “North Borneo” timestamp, hold immense historical and tourism value that warrants preservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Outside<\/a>
Outside and inside view of the old louvered casement windows. Rounded metal bars are an added security feature for the window frame. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In West Coast of Sabah, landmarks from the British era have largely vanished, leaving only a handful of colonial buildings standing\u2014now in a state of ‘critically endangered.’ While we can build new hotels, shopping malls, and high-rises, we can’t build an old building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, existing old buildings face threats from fire and termites. Without proper preservation efforts and modern firefighting systems, they stand vulnerable and wait helplessly for a final blow. A post-war shophouse in Membakut succumbed to flames in 2011, while a colonial-era building dating back to the 1900s in Kimanis was reduced to rubble by tropical storm “Kompasu” a decade later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Other<\/a>
Other old buildings nearby the Pre-war shophouses of Membakut town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the opposite side of the train tracks lie a row of post-war shophouses. Adjacent to these stands Pei Yin Primary School, another colonial gem. Facing the school sits a small abandoned house known as the ‘Blue House.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-War Shophouse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Situated on the far side of the railway tracks, the post-WWII shophouse, built in the early 1950s, once formed part of a twin row. Tragically, a fire destroyed one of these shophouses in 2011. The loss of a priceless heritage can’t be measured by monetary value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Post-WWII<\/a>
This post-WWII shophouse built in the early 1950s is situated on the opposite side of the pre-WWII shophouses in Membakut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Despite being two decades younger than its pre-war counterparts, this shophouse embodies the distinctive characteristics of North Borneo colonial architecture. Vintage signboards and timber folding doors adorn the shoplots, providing picturesque backdrops for nostalgic photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/a>
An old shop in the post-war shophouse of Membakut town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amidst our exploration, the friendly locals observed our wanderings with smiles, eager to share tales and stories into Membakut’s rich history. From their faces, I can see that they are really proud of their heritage buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The kitchen area behind the shop of a post-war shophouse in Membakut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Etching<\/a>
Etching on the concrete pavement slabs of post-war shophouse with the annotations ’28-11-1953′ and ‘11.1953 \u5b8c\u7ae3’. \u5b8c\u7ae3 is a Chinese word that means completed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We stumbled upon several concrete pavement slabs adorned with etchings of Chinese coins\u2014a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Two of these slabs bore the annotation ‘1953,’ a testament to the enduring legacy of the Membakut post-war shophouse since its establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Concrete<\/a>
Concrete pavement slab in front of one of the Membakut’s post-war shophouse decorated with etchings of Chinese coins, a symbol of good luck and prosperity.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pei Yin Primary School (\u57f9\u82f1\u5c0f\u5b66)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The striking red and white fa\u00e7ade of Pei Yin Primary School bears distinctive features of colonial architecture. Notably, the intricate stone posts adorning the building’s design mirror those found on the ruins of the Old Welfare Building\u2014a popular site for street art<\/a> in Kota Kinabalu City today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pei<\/a>
Pei Yin Primary School believed to have been built between the 1910s – 1930s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pei Yin Primary School believed to have been built between the 1910s – 1930s, so it can be over 100 years old. Taking a moment to admire its architectural details, I marveled at the bargeboard motifs gracing the roof and the uniquely designed ‘cloud arched’ lattice frame of its front facade. It was a school day, the sounds of students reading aloud and playing echoed from within the classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The uniquely-designed \u2018cloud arched\u2019 lattice frame of the Pei Yin Primary School’s front facade is a distinctive feature of this colonial building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Blue House<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Directly opposite Pei Yin Primary School stands an abandoned pre-WWII residence affectionately known as ‘the Blue House.’ Likely a colonial dwelling, this building likely served as living quarters for past teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
This abandoned pre-WWII Blue House is probably the former home of a teacher <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The door was locked, so we stood outside admiring the weathered textures of the arched lattice frame, the intricate bargeboard patterns adorning the lower roof overhangs, and the ornamental pendant details of the arch frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Devoid of any historical identity and relics, Sabah would become a ‘faceless’ state.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The History of Membakut Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The development of infrastructure in Membakut township owes much to the bustling business activities of the Chinese community, who settled in the area during the early 1900s to 1920s. Throughout the 1920s to the late 1930s, Membakut rose to prominence, boasting a diverse population that included Bruneians, Chinese, Kadazans, Dusuns, Paitans, Javanese, Bisayas, and others. This vibrant mix of ethnicities engaged in various agricultural pursuits such as rice paddy cultivation, rubber tapping, and fishing, with their produce being traded via the North Borneo railway to neighbouring settlements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dusun<\/a>
The people of Membakut: Dusun Tangaa’ (left) and Orang Brunei (right) from Membakut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Datuk Teo Chin Ping, affectionately known as ‘Datuk Akong’ among locals, shares memories of Membakut from around 70 years ago. At that time, the township was home to approximately 300 to 400 households. The Hakka predominantly worked as farmers, cultivating rubber and citrus fruits, while the Hokkien managed grocery stores, and the Hainanese operated restaurants. Meanwhile, indigenous people were involved in paddy, tapioca, and sago cultivation, as well as fishing. Intermarriages between Chinese and native communities were common, and all races lived together like one big family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Origin of the Name “Membakut”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Membakut derives its name from the local Bruneian dialect, where “Bakut” translates to “Fort,” so the term “Membakut” literally means “to make a fort.” Carmelita, a resident of Kg Limpayau, recounts various versions of how the name “Membakut” originated. According to her mother, Rupinah Mikil, early settlers from Brunei referred to the place as \u201cBuah Bakut\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Weekly<\/a>
Tamu market of Membakut is held on every Wednesday (old township) and Sunday (new township). During fruiting season, the Tamu is flooded with all kinds of fruits from Durian, Rambutan, Bambangan, Tarap to jackfruits.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another version suggests that the name stems from the word \u201cMamadakut,\u201d derived from the Kadazan term for \u201cthe process of gathering Sago from its trunk.\u201d Membakut was once abundant with Sago plants, making sago gathering a prevalent activity. It’s likely that the similarity in sound between “Mamadakut” and “Membakut” led to the adoption of the latter as the name for the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stories of Membakut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This article might be getting a bit lengthy, but if you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing you’re quite the history enthusiast. So, here are two interesting stories about Membakut for your enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Borneo Railway, Take Me Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Datuk Teo Chin Ping from Membakut shared a story about the railway during an interview with See Hua Newspaper. During World War II, when Borneo was occupied by the Japanese, Datuk Teo was working as forced labor for Japanese forces to build and maintain the airport in Tanjung Aru. One fateful day, Teo and his friend overheard news that the Japanese were going to execute someone. Driven by curiosity, they walked from the airport to Petagas on foot. Around noon, they climbed a tree and witnessed the brutal killing by the Japanese from a distance (probably the event at Petagas War Memorial<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Post-war<\/a>
The colonial buildings of West Coast are focused along the train stops, with rows of shophouses on both sides.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They were completely shocked and worried that they would be the next victims, so they decided to run away from the Japanese. However, they were young boys who didn’t know the way home and had no adults to help them. Then they came up with a plan. Since they had been sent to Tanjung Aru by train, they reasoned that they could reach home by following the railway track in the opposite direction. One day, they left the work site after 5 pm and followed the railroad. For your information, the distance between Tanjung Aru and Membakut is about 70 kilometers, so it’s a long walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/a>
Teo and his friend followed the railway track to go home. (AI photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They continued walking along the railway. When they reached the Pengalat tunnel, it was pitch dark inside. Worried about snakes, they beat around with tree branches and burnt the fat of a wild boar as a torch. Finally, they arrived at Kampung Brunei of Membakut at dawn. They jumped into the river and took a shortcut to get home. Datuk Teo was afraid that the Japanese would come after him, so he hid at home until the war was over. Fortunately, he remained safe and witnessed Borneo being liberated by the Allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aerial<\/a>
Aerial view of the Pei Yin School (left) and Post-War shophouse (right) in Membakut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2) My Love is a ‘Member Cute’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here’s another “romantic” story from Mr. Rimo Pirin, a singer from Kg Dungau. During the war, there was this British soldier who fell in love with a local girl. They didn’t have much time together because he was always on the move and didn’t stay long in one place. After the war, he came back to Borneo, hoping to find her. But here’s the kicker: he couldn’t remember her name, just that she was adorable. So, he kept calling her “a member cute.” The villagers were puzzled with such name but helped him anyway. The story is pretty amusing, so they’ve been talking about it for fun ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Membakut is located in the Papar District, approximately 80 kilometers south of Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah. The town’s old shophouses and buildings are situated in the old township (Pekan Lama. See Location Map<\/a>) and can be easily reached via asphalt roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The train station of Membakut town. Some locals still use this railway for their daily commute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can opt for a scenic train journey from Tanjung Aru train station to Membakut. Along the railway route, you’ll enjoy picturesque countryside views and pass by various historical landmarks, including the colonial buildings of Kinarut and the Papar iron bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Book: Sokial, Richard Nelson. Colonial Townships in Sabah: West Coast. Sabah, Malaysia<\/em>: Homeland Publisher Sdn Bhd, 2012.
    (I highly recommend this book if you want in-depth information of colonial building in west coast of Sabah)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Newspaper Article (Daily Express): Binisol, Lorena. “Membakut history and popular Tamu.” Daily Express, September 8, 2019. https:\/\/www.dailyexpress.com.my\/read\/3168\/membakut-history-and-popular-tamu\/.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Newspaper Article (See Hua Daily News): “\u738b\u9ebb\u9aa8\u95fb\u4eba\u5f20\u6b63\u5e73 \u8ff0\u8bf4\u6545\u4e61\u4e8b\u8ff9.” See Hua Daily News (\u8bd7\u534e\u65e5\u62a5), January 14, 2020. https:\/\/news.seehua.com\/post\/515791.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Photos taken in Membakut, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Isn’t the feeling of nostalgia wonderful? 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