A Brief Journey into Sri Gading's Roots

In March 2024, when Sam and his family visited Kota Kinabalu, I took my granddaughter, Livvie, for a short walk along the old track that once led to my childhood home - a modest house nestled in a quiet valley beside Jalan Istana ((Read here). It was a simple walk, yet deeply meaningful, as I retraced the same path my younger self once took daily, now hand in hand with the next generation.

Then, on 11.10.2025, Livvie, her sister Maddie, their parents and grandparents (I and my wife) visited the old family house in Sri Gading - the place where my wife spent her own childhood before moving to Sabah in 1979. Standing once again before that familiar house, they could sense the echoes of family stories and memories that have spanned decades and crossed states - a bridge between past and present.

If there is one object that best captures the essence and significance of this house, it would be the old swing beneath the roof overhang just outside the main door. That swing has silently witnessed the passage of time - from the laughter of Gen Y children to the conversations of forty-something adults reminiscing about their youth. Now, with the newest members of the family, Livvie and Maddie, joyfully taking their turns on it, another beautiful cycle has come full circle. It feels especially poignant knowing that their father once played on the very same swing some forty one years ago in 1984 and a couple of times more in subsequent visits to Sri Gading - a simple yet powerful reminder of how this home continues to hold the threads of family, memory, and continuity across generations (Read here). 

Seeing Livvie and Maddie playing on the swing, I couldn’t help but recall an old photograph taken in July 1984 - at this very same spot - when their father was just a year and a half old. The image of him on the swing four decades ago, now mirrored by his daughters’ laughter, beautifully captures the passage of time and the enduring spirit of family across generations.

Another cherished photograph, taken in February 1990 in front of the main door, captures Livvie and Maddie’s father at seven years old. Seated beside him are his cousin Tai Tai and his younger brother, Paul. The image - three children frozen in time - beautifully preserves their carefree smiles, a timeless reflection of childhood innocence and the enduring family bonds that continue to unite them today.

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Inside the old house.

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When Paul and Junshi visited Sri Gading in November 2017 to attend my mother-in-law’s 87th birthday celebration, they were also brought to see the canal that runs alongside Jalan Sri Gading (Read here). It has long been a family tradition to take first-time visitors to this small but historically significant canal.

The surrounding area was once part of a thriving agricultural landscape dominated by rubber plantations. During the early to mid-20th century, when road infrastructure was still limited, the area was interlaced with small canals and drainage channels, known locally as parit, which served both as irrigation systems and minor transport routes. This canal was once used by small boats to transport rubber sheets from local plantations to the main river. Over time, as roads improved and lorries replaced boats, the use of these canals for transport declined. 

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Another must-see landmark in Sri Gading is the road sign for Jalan Lim Kheng Siang, a street named in honor of my father-in-law. Erected by the roadside, the signboard serves as a lasting tribute to his years of service to the local community. From the 1950s through the 1980s, he was a respected community leader, remembered for his integrity and commitment to public welfare. During that period, he served as the Chairman of the Sri Gading Local Council. His name on the signboard today stands as both a historical marker and a symbol of gratitude from the community he once served.

An old photo taken on 21.12.1958 captures the opening of the local Council office premise. My father-in-law, a tall man is seated in the center of the front row.

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That particular Saturday when we visited Sri Gading happened to coincide with the local open market day. It was the perfect opportunity for them to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional rural Malaysian marketplace - where local farmers and vendors sold fresh produce, homemade delicacies, and everyday goods. The lively chatter, colorful stalls, and aroma of freshly cooked food offered an authentic glimpse into the daily lives and warm community spirit of the local people.