Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor: DOWN MEMORY LANE: LAU KING HOWE HOSPITAL, SIBU, SARAWAK (1980'S)

Monday, 5 January 2026

DOWN MEMORY LANE: LAU KING HOWE HOSPITAL, SIBU, SARAWAK (1980'S)

Mentioning Lau King Howe Hospital brings back a flood of memories for anyone who lived in Sibu during the early 1980s. During my posting at KD Sri Rejang (1983–84), this was the primary medical facility for the entire Rejang basin.

The hospital had a very distinct "old world" feel that contrasted with the military precision of your naval base. Here is a look back at the hospital as it was during your time:

1. The Riverside Landmark

In 1983, the hospital was still in its original, prime location at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers.

The Setting: It was famous for being right on the water's edge. Because of this, it was prone to tidal flooding. If you visited during a king tide or heavy monsoon rain, it wasn't uncommon to see water creeping toward the wards—a sight very familiar to someone working on the RMN Riverine Craft such as LCMs, RCPs and LCPs!
The Atmosphere: It was a sprawling complex of wooden and concrete blocks. It didn't feel like a modern, sterile hospital; it felt like a community hub, always bustling with people from upriver who had traveled hours by express boat to seek treatment.

2. Significant Milestones (1981–1984)

Your years in Sibu actually coincided with some major upgrades to the hospital’s facilities, making it a "transition" era:

ICU Opening (1981): Just before you arrived, the Intensive Care Unit had been established.
Haemodialysis Unit (1984): During your final year there, the hospital opened its first dialysis unit, a major deal for the region at the time.
Specialized Wards: By then, the hospital had expanded to include the Psychiatric ward (1972) and the Female Medical ward (1976).

3. The Naval Connection

As a member of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) at KD Sri Rejang, the hospital was our lifeline.

Medical Clearances: Naval personnel often went there for specialized check-ups or dental work (the Lau King Howe Dental Clinic was very active).
Emergency Support: If there were accidents on the river or during training exercises at the camp, the casualties were rushed to Lau King Howe. The hospital and the Navy had a symbiotic relationship, as the RMN often provided the "water ambulance" (LCPs) to bring patients in from remote riverine areas where the hospital's own reach ended.

4. What Remains Today

If you were to visit Sibu now, the original hospital buildings are gone—demolished in the mid-90s after the new Sibu General Hospital opened at Mile 5.

The Memorial Museum: In a rare move for Malaysia, a small portion of the original hospital (the outpatient department) was preserved. It is now the Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum, the only medical museum in the country.
The Heartbeat: The site is now part of the Sibu Town Square (Phase 2), but the museum still stands as a tribute to the man who donated his fortune to build it.

I do remember the "Bamboo House" or the old shops that used to sit right across from the hospital entrance? It was a popular spot for hospital staff and visitors to grab a quick bite.

Those "old shops" and the Bamboo House were the social heartbeat for anyone working at the hospital or the nearby naval base in the early 80s.

While serving at KD Sri Rejang in 1983–84, I would likely remember that specific pocket of Sibu as a bustling, slightly chaotic, but very welcoming area.

1. The "Bamboo House"

Still remember the Bamboo House restaurant, which was (and still is!) a major landmark in Sibu’s dining scene.

The Premier Hotel Connection: The Bamboo House is the signature coffee house of the Premier Hotel (located inside the Sarawak House complex we discussed earlier).
The 80s Vibe: In 1983, it was the place to go for a slightly "upmarket" break. It was famous for its Hainanese-style western food and local Foochow specialties.
The Staff Favorite: Because it was air-conditioned and offered a reliable menu, it was a favorite escape for doctors and nurses from Lau King Howe, as well as officers from your naval base looking for a "clean" meal away from the river muck.

2. The Shops Across the Entrance

The row of shops directly facing the Lau King Howe Hospital entrance (along Jalan Lau King Howe/Jalan Hospital) was a classic example of Sibu’s "wooden block" architecture before the big modernization push.

The "Kopitiam" Culture: There were several old-school coffee shops where the tables were always crowded with people waiting for family members in the hospital. I can still recall the smell of charcoal-toasted bread and the thick Kopi-O that was a staple there.
Convenience Stores: These shops sold everything a patient or a sailor might need—biscuits, "Milo" tins, fruit baskets, and even basic toiletries.
The Atmosphere: Because it was so close to the wharf where the express boats and your LCPs would dock, the area was a melting pot of people from all over the Rejang—Ibans from Kapit, Foochows from Sibu, and sailors like yourself.

3. The Shift

When the hospital moved to its current location at Mile 5 in 1994, that entire ecosystem changed.

Most of those old wooden shops were eventually demolished or renovated to make way for the Sibu Town Square (Phase 2).

Today, while the shops are gone, the Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum stands almost exactly where you would have walked in 1983. It’s a quiet, reflective spot now, a far cry from the busy, noisy riverside hub you remember.