Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sibu
Encyclopedia
Tua Pek Kong Temple in Sibu
, Sarawak
, Malaysia is an icon of the town with its 7-storey pagoda. Its history dates back to 1870. The temple is also known as Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple (永安厅大伯公庙).
and that was the Tua Peh Kong Temple.
In 1897, the temple was rebuilt into a typical Chinese temple designed with tiled roof, stone block floor and all the decorative purlin & fixtures which were imported from China. The statue of Tua Pek Kong
deity was specially sculptured and imported from Xiamen
, China
. After the building was completed, the list of donors and details of expenditure were recorded in two pieces of stone tablet which are still well preserved in the temple.
On 8 March 1928 Sibu
town was destroyed by a big fire, but the temple was unscathed. This was regarded as a miracle by the locals.
In 1942, the Japanese invaded and occupied Sibu. In 1945, the Allied Forces bombarded Sibu. The town and the temple were severely destroyed but the state of the deity was unharmed. After the Second World War, the wooden structure temple was rebuilt.
In 1957, the temple was reconstructed into a concrete structure and was declared open by the then Governor of Sarawak, Sir Anthony Abell. It was a grand occasion for the Sibu Town as the British Royal dignitaries including the Resident attended the ceremony.
In 1979, renovation of both wings of the temple was again being carried out and the roof of temple was changed from belian wood into concrete with glazed roofing tiles; the ridge or roof and column were decorated with traditional dragon and phoenix statues. The renovated building was declared open in 1980.
In 1987, under the generous patronage of the Sarawak State Government and the worshippers, the rear section of the temple was demolished and replaced by a 7-storey Pagoda for the worship of the Goddess of Mercy. This Pagoda building followed closely traditional Chinese Pagoda Architecture. Thus, the temple became a landmark of Sibu. The total expenditure of the building was RM1.5 million and was declared open on 4 May 1989.
The temple and it's recognizable pagoda is a symbol of the sovereign and kindness of the deity for the worshipper and a prime tourist attraction for the town.
Sibu
Sibu may refer to:*Sibu, Sarawak in Eastern Malaysia*Sibu Division*Sibu , an impact crater on Mars*Pulau Sibu, an island off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia*Sibu , name of a goddess in the Bribri tribe, in Costa Rica...
, Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, Malaysia is an icon of the town with its 7-storey pagoda. Its history dates back to 1870. The temple is also known as Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple (永安厅大伯公庙).
History
The history of the temple dates back to early 1870. In the 1871 Sarawak Gazette, it was recorded that there was a small wooden Chinese temple in SibuSibu
Sibu may refer to:*Sibu, Sarawak in Eastern Malaysia*Sibu Division*Sibu , an impact crater on Mars*Pulau Sibu, an island off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia*Sibu , name of a goddess in the Bribri tribe, in Costa Rica...
and that was the Tua Peh Kong Temple.
In 1897, the temple was rebuilt into a typical Chinese temple designed with tiled roof, stone block floor and all the decorative purlin & fixtures which were imported from China. The statue of Tua Pek Kong
Tua Pek Kong
Tua Pek Kong , literally means "Grand Uncle", is one of the pantheon of Malaysian Chinese Gods. It was believed the date Tua Pek Kong arrived in Penang was 40 years before Francis Light in 1746.Tua Pek Kong was a man named Zhang Li from the Hakka clan...
deity was specially sculptured and imported from Xiamen
Xiamen
Xiamen , also known as Amoy , is a major city on the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of and population of 3.53 million...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. After the building was completed, the list of donors and details of expenditure were recorded in two pieces of stone tablet which are still well preserved in the temple.
On 8 March 1928 Sibu
Sibu
Sibu may refer to:*Sibu, Sarawak in Eastern Malaysia*Sibu Division*Sibu , an impact crater on Mars*Pulau Sibu, an island off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia*Sibu , name of a goddess in the Bribri tribe, in Costa Rica...
town was destroyed by a big fire, but the temple was unscathed. This was regarded as a miracle by the locals.
In 1942, the Japanese invaded and occupied Sibu. In 1945, the Allied Forces bombarded Sibu. The town and the temple were severely destroyed but the state of the deity was unharmed. After the Second World War, the wooden structure temple was rebuilt.
In 1957, the temple was reconstructed into a concrete structure and was declared open by the then Governor of Sarawak, Sir Anthony Abell. It was a grand occasion for the Sibu Town as the British Royal dignitaries including the Resident attended the ceremony.
In 1979, renovation of both wings of the temple was again being carried out and the roof of temple was changed from belian wood into concrete with glazed roofing tiles; the ridge or roof and column were decorated with traditional dragon and phoenix statues. The renovated building was declared open in 1980.
In 1987, under the generous patronage of the Sarawak State Government and the worshippers, the rear section of the temple was demolished and replaced by a 7-storey Pagoda for the worship of the Goddess of Mercy. This Pagoda building followed closely traditional Chinese Pagoda Architecture. Thus, the temple became a landmark of Sibu. The total expenditure of the building was RM1.5 million and was declared open on 4 May 1989.
The temple and it's recognizable pagoda is a symbol of the sovereign and kindness of the deity for the worshipper and a prime tourist attraction for the town.