Work on Ma Zu temple to start soon — Lu

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Dr Hazland (fourth left) presenting ‘duit raya’ to a villager. With them are, from left, Chang, Wee, Suhaili and Lu.

Dr Hazland (fourth left) presenting ‘duit raya’ to a villager. With them are, from left, Chang, Wee, Suhaili and Lu.

KUCHING: The construction of Ma Zu Temple in Muara Tebas is expected to start by the end of this year. The temple’s construction committee chairman, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, said the proposed temple would be built next to the iconic Ching San Yen Temple at a cost of RM5 million.

“The temple will be built on land owned by Kuching Hockien Association,” he said at the Muara Tebas Hari Raya celebration organised by Kampung Muara Tebas JKKK and Kuching Hockien Association yesterday.

Lu, who is also Kuching Hockien Association advisor, said work on the temple would start once funds were sufficient. It would take two years to construct the temple.

Kuching Hockien Association president Richard Wee, who was also present, said the plan to construct the temple had been approved by the State Planning Authority (SPA). Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had also given his blessing.

“We hope our fund raising exercise can start soon,” he said. Wee said cooperation between the temple management and Kampung Muara Tebas folk had been in existence ever since Ching San Yen Temple was built some 200 years ago.

“Over the years, we worked very closely with the village JKKK, who had been very cooperative.

“During festive seasons, the JKKK would also assist us to control traffic for the convenience and security of those visiting the temple.”

Wee said the association organised a Hari Raya gathering with the locals to thank them for their assistance over the years.

“We plan to make this Hari Raya celebration with Kampung Muara Tebas folk an annual affair.”

Meanwhile, Demak Laut assemblyman, Dr Hazland Abang Hipi, who was the guest-of-honour, said the proposed temple would indirectly benefit the villagers.

“More devotees will come to Muara Tebas to pray at the temples, and this will indirectly benefit the villagers, who can sell their products and look after the parking spaces.”

Dr Hazland noted that Kampung Muara Tebas was among the oldest villages in Demak Laut. It was established 300 to 400 years ago.

At the gathering, Dr Hazland presented a government grant of RM5,000 to Kampung Muara Tebas JKKK. Wee contributed RM5,000 to the new mosque in the area. Among those present at the event were Kampung Muara Tebas Ketua Kaum Suhaili Sahari and Kapitan Chang Chee Hong.