By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
An attempt to seek heritage status for the 100-year-old Gurdwara Sahib and the land on which it sits in Tanjung Aru failed at an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) called by the Kinabalu Singh Sabha Association Sabah (KSSA) last Sunday, reports a Sabah newspaper.
One of the reason that prompted seeking heritage status for the old Borneo gurdwara was infestation by termites.
The only item on the agenda at the Indian Association Hall was to seek the approval of members to amend or revive a previous resolution that was passed in a bi-annual General Meeting (BIGM) in June 2023 not to gazette the temple.
However, the move for Heritage status was met with great opposition by elders and senior members of the KSSA that saw a turnout of over 95 ordinary and associate members, reported Daily Express today (July 6).
The report said Balwant Singh Kler, Dr Charanjeet Singh Isher Singh, senior lawyer Baldev Singh, Prof. Dr Balvinder Kaur Kler and historian Avtar Singh Sandhu presented arguments against passing such a resolution.
Balwant traced the history of the Gurdwara and that it was built with the donations and efforts of Sikh policemen of the North Borneo Constabulary who lived at the old Batu Tiga Police Camp whilst Baldev urged greater thought and considerations on the negative aspects of Heritage status.
Avtar argued that the Heritage Status Enactment of 2017 was designed for ancient archaeological sites such as the ancient Kadazan burial site in Pogunon in Penampang and Tengkorak Hill in Lahad Datu, which contained ancient artifacts that were historically significant to Malaysia, the report added.
He said the Heritage Status Enactment was never created for the purpose of bestowing such status on religious prayer halls and temples that were still being utilised by communities.
For the full report, go here.
RELATED STORY:
Sikh bikers to visit 8 gurdwaras in Sabah and Sarawak, raising funds for education (Asia Samachar, 2 July 2023)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here