KUCHING: Two temples — Hiang Thian Siang Ti and Yang Chun Tai at Wayang Street here — were recently renovated without compromising their Teochew identity, said Kuching Teochew Association president Kapitan Tan Kit Leng.
NEWLY RENOVATED: Joo Phoi (sixth right), Kit Leng (fifth right) at Yang Chun Tai with the invited guests.
“It is important to maintain the majestic and original look of the building. Hiang Thian Siang Ti temple is the most original and valuable historical cultural Teochew building. It is part of the history of the Chinese in Kuching, especially as a meeting place for the Teochews in the past,” he said.
He also said that the retention of the templeís traditional features showed that the Teochew culture was greatly appreciated and.
He hoped that after the renovation, the committee would faithfully maintain the temple.
As for Yang Chun Tai, Tan said it will still have its food court and an open space for concerts and cultural performances.
He recalled that Yang Chun Tai was used as a community theatre for the past hundred years.
With the roof raised higher, he said food stall operators can work in comfort.
Tan also said the next project is the renovation of the association’s shops adjacent to Yang Chun Tai.
The association will also replace the hawker stalls for sanitary reasons.
Last Sunday, Tan officiated at a ceremony that marked the completion of the temple renovation.
MPP chairman Tan Joo Phoi who was also present at the ceremony, spoke about raising Chinese awareness of culture, education, religion, economics and politics.
In urging the Chinese to build a better future for themselves, he advised them to prepare for challenges posed by prevailing conditions and development policies.
Technological advance-ments are competing against traditional norms and values of the community, and people are getting confused about their cultural values, he said.