The Eng Ann Teng Tua Peh Kong Temple in Sibu.
A 15m-tall raintree at the Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple was an important meeting place for either official or non-official matters in the early days.
Temple historian Chua Chong Hieng said the raintree acted like a post office in the early 1950s.
“The people, who were mostly Chinese, came here to collect their letters from China or to send them to loved ones in China as there was no post office then,” he recalled.
He added that whenever townsfolk wanted to meet each other for social gatherings, the raintree was the focal point. This was because there were only three rows of shophouses in Sibu then.
Workers trimming one of the raintrees at the back of the temple.
The tree, which stands at the entrance of the temple, was supposedly planted by an early settler from China.
The story goes that the settler, who worked as a trishaw operator, could not stand the tropical sun and planted the tree to provide him with cool shade. He earned a living by sending women to the temple for prayer.
A plaque at the foot of the tree states that the Sarawak Forestry Department has certified it as a raintree.
“Initially there were five raintrees around the temple. But two of them died when a flood hit the town,” Chua said.
“Now we are left with just three trees. Two of them are at the back of the temple.
“Back then, these trees provided shade as a meeting place for people.”
In the past, the only wharf in town was located at the riverfront near the temple. Passengers would wait under the raintree for their boats.
The three raintrees are thought to be among the oldest trees in Sibu at about 150 years old and are still healthy.
“The lifespan of a raintree is said to be around 300 years. During the hot season, a raintree like ours here will be green with leaves.
“Towards the end of the year, which is the monsoon period, the trees will shed their leaves. The dry leaves will become fertiliser for the tree,” Chua said.
The raintree at the entrance of the temple has stood the test of time, but its function has now changed, according to Chua.
“We have placed a statue of the Datuk Kong deity at the trunk for devotees to perform prayers,” he said.
On the temple, Chua said it was 152 years old according to the Sarawak Gazette of 1871.
“We believe that the temple is older by 20 years but because there is no official record, we accept this declaration,” he said.
The temple was renovated with a concrete structure in 1979.
In 1982 a seven-storey pagoda was built next to it for the worship of the Goddess of Mercy.
