Quaint, near-century-old post office a pillar of Bukit Rotan

The Bukit Rotan post office, located close to Masjid An-Nuriah and Sri Shakthi Dhevasthanam temple, is one of Malaysia’s oldest. (Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

KUALA SELANGOR:

It has stood for close to 100 years, but the Bukit Rotan post office has remained largely unchanged since the first day it opened its doors. For the local community, this is exactly what they want.

The post office, which has been operating since 1926, isn’t just one of the oldest in Malaysia – it’s among the most eye-catching.

The white, single-storey structure, occupying a 100 sqm lot, is designed to look like a traditional Malay house, exuding a sense of history and nostalgia. Its rusty folding gate is a testament to its age.

So unique is its design that many visitors to Kuala Selangor, or those who are just passing by, cannot resist making a pit stop to take a closer look.

“It is like an old house,” branch manager Khairul Azman Nyamin told FMT, describing the post office that has been immortalised in a special set of stamps issued by Pos Malaysia in 2010.

“The locals feel nostalgic about this place and don’t wish for Pos Malaysia to change anything about it.”

Khairul Azman Nyamin, 42, is all smiles despite being the only employee at this Pos Malaysia branch. (Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

One such person is a senior citizen who only wanted to be known as Suardi. In his 70s, he prefers to ride his motorcycle to the Bukit Rotan branch some 30km away from home, even though there is a post office closer to where he lives.

“I have many memories here. When I was a child I’d play in this area,” said Suardi, who lives in Bukit Gadong. “These days I come here for the postal services.”

For 32-year-old Letchumi, a visit to the post office brings back memories of her father.

“He used to bring me along whenever he came here to pay bills or send letters,” she said fondly. “Now it’s my turn.”

Despite its old-fashioned facade, the outlet is equipped with modern facilities and offers services similar to other Pos Malaysia branches.

It serves about 50 customers every day on average and, unlike other post offices, does not use a numbered queueing system: according to Khairul, his customers are happy to wait their turn.

The post office is frequented by loyal customers, including this senior citizen who travels over 30km to get here. (Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

For him, the quaint building is more than a place of work, even though he is the only employee there.

“When I first came here, I felt bored because I was used to working alongside others,” Khairul said. “In my 20 years with Pos Malaysia, this was the first time I was working alone.”

After being at Bukit Rotan for three years, he has grown accustomed to working on his own and has since become friends with the regulars.

The locals, he added, are very nice to him.

“During festivities, regardless if it is Hari Raya, Deepavali or Chinese New Year, they will bring me gifts,” he said with a smile. “They never forget me.”

Bukit Rotan Post Office
JKR 136A, Jalan Besar,
45700 Bukit Rotan, Selangor

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Quaint, near-century-old post office a pillar of Bukit Rotan

Designed to look like a traditional Malay house, this charming post office with just one employee has served its loyal community since 1926.