Libraries often become a focal point for residents seeking academic reference materials based on the available reading materials.
There are times when the library also becomes a place for some people to seek tranquility. Unlike other spaces, libraries are always quiet and visitors are prohibited from being noisy.
However, a public library in a remote location in Sarawak, Malaysia, is not only quiet. It is said that this building is haunted and has a terrifying story.
A young man named Haziq shared his experience as the sole librarian in Pekan Beluru.
The 25-year-old young man recalled a scary story from three years ago while working in the almost always deserted library.
"My scope of work includes organizing books, creating catalog notes, maintaining the cleanliness of the library, and providing customer service."
"I often find myself alone in the library, occasionally a colleague from out of town comes by," explained Haziq.
Haziq admitted that he enjoys working alone because it makes him feel calm and allows him to focus on his work.
But there are times when Haziq feels overwhelmed by the many tasks he has to complete on his own.
Haziq then explained the history and uniqueness of the public library in Pekan Beluru, which is so remote in Sarawak.
According to Haziq, the public library was opened in the 1970s and is located in the center of Pekan Beluru, which has a population of around 1,000 people.
"The nearest city is Miri, which is 74 kilometers (km) away. If taken via the highway, it takes about one and a half hours," explained Haziq.
Every week, there are usually 2 to 4 visitors to the public library. They are usually school students and parents.
Although it is remote and far from the city, this library always receives shipments of new books every year.
However, Haziq once heard from the locals that the land for building the library is known to be haunted.
"This place is said to be 'haunted' and many staff before me were disturbed. But I steeled my heart because I want to work," said Haziq.
Uncovering the past history of the Pekan Beluru library, Haziq revealed that local residents said the land where the library stands used to be a 'Village' of supernatural beings other world.. ghost village.
That is one of the reasons why the library is so full of paranormal activities.
Haziq himself has experienced it, and it can be said to be the scariest experience compared to the previous staff.
The Library Door Opens by Itself..
"It happened two years ago, I had just started working there." Still fresh in my memory, Thursday at 4:30 PM after Asr.
"At that time, I was working on the list of books to be stored in the warehouse." Suddenly, the front door of the library opened as if someone had entered," he said.
However, when Haziq turned around, he saw no one. It couldn't be the wind because the library's glass door is heavy and has a stopper. So, it's impossible for the library door to open by itself. There must be 'something' that pushed it forcefully.
At the same time, Haziq suddenly felt the temperature in the library drop, and the room became very cold. In fact, the air conditioner in the library had been broken for a long time. The only thing that still works is the fan.
At that moment, Haziq's hair stood on end. He felt that there was a supernatural being accompanying him in the library.
"I was already feeling uneasy. To avoid anything bad happening, I quickly finished my work," he said.
In the following days, Haziq bravely went to work as usual because he really needed the money. So, he had to strengthen his mental resolve.
It Turns Out There Is a Guardian (not human/supposed to be old spirit)
"Not long after that, I asked a friend with a sixth sense to 'see' the library.
"He said he did see a 'something' living in the library. My friend only dared to look from the outside," said Haziq.
His friend suggested Haziq 'clean' the library by bringing in a religious teacher.
"The ustaz agreed, but the condition was that the 'cleansing' process could only be done from a distance because they were worried the situation might get worse," said Haziq.
Using his phone in loudspeaker mode, Haziq walked to every corner of the library while playing the recitation of the holy verses from the ustaz.
But an unexpected thing happened, the ghost of the library guard went berserk, the books flew... some hit the Ustad's head, causing the Ustad to immediately fall unconscious, when Haziq tried to help him, suddenly... his body fell stiff to the floor.. the ghost approached him.. his face was scary with a strong stench.. "this is my house, if you want to be here, you have to respect me, give me Sesajen (offerings), not try to throw me out".. the voice was heard very heavy and resounding..
"After that I became unconscious, as far as I remember, when I woke up I was already in the village clinic."