By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he officiated the opening of the extended Gurdwara Sahib Kuching on Sunday (Nov 1), recalling how he used to cycle past the Sikh temple when it was still a wooden structure.
The Premier, who has maintained close ties with the Sikh community over the years, praised its longstanding contributions to Sarawak and described the newly extended gurdwara as a reflection of the transformation taking place not only within the community but also in Kuching itself.
“This site is very familiar to me. I used to ride by bicycle here. There was a large veranda, and we called this a wooden temple. Now, we are reviving this area but through modern technology.
“That is why your building reflects the transformation, not only among the Sikh community but the transformation of the city of Kuching, and that reflects the culture that we have here,” he said.
Abang Johari also acknowledged the Sikh community’s contributions to Sarawak, dating back to the Second World War, when Sikhs were prominent in security and defence services.
“We know very well that though you’re small (in numbers), you have contributed a lot to the country and Sarawak, and also to the larger community, particularly in Kuching.
“When we talk about the Sikh community in Kuching, you have the historical background from the Second World War right up to this moment.
“Though you are no longer serving in the defence force, but you’re contributing to medical and healthcare, and other services, including the legal services,” he said.
The Premier also emphasised the importance of preserving Sarawak’s longstanding tradition of religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities.
“Once again, I congratulate the Sikh community and those of other faiths for coming. Although we are religiously different, but we are staying under one roof.
“We are staying together as if we are in one family, we’re no different. (Tidak ada beza). We want to preserve that,” he said.
Sarawak Sikh Temple Association president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira presented the Sarawak Premier a moment
“The tree showcases the flourishing of the state and the unity of its people under his leadership,” Dr Kalwinder told Asia Samachar.
A project 13 years in the making
The extension project, first proposed in 2013, marked the culmination of more than a decade of planning, perseverance and cooperation between the Sikh community and the state authorities.
“The support and assistance given by the YAB Premier and the State Government to the community is strong evidence of the inclusivity policies of the Government and that it cares for all communities and religions of Sarawak,” Dr Kalwinder said in his speech.
He noted that Abang Johari had been a longstanding friend of the Sikh community, having visited the gurdwara on numerous occasions, both as a minister and subsequently as Premier.
The gurdwara, located in the heart of Kuching, has served as the focal point of the local Sikh community since the early 1900s.
Initially housed in a wooden structure, the temple was rebuilt in the early 1980s, with several renovations undertaken over the subsequent decades.
Beyond being a place of worship, the gurdwara has played an important role in preserving Punjabi language, Sikh culture and community activities, including sports and educational programmes.
In 2013, the association applied for an adjacent parcel of state land to construct an extension to accommodate the community’s growing needs.
The application was approved by the Sarawak Government, with Abang Johari personally announcing the approval during a Vaisakhi celebration in May 2017.
Kalwinder described the land approval as a valuable gift for future generations of the Sikh community.
However, the project subsequently encountered delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The groundbreaking ceremony was eventually held on July 2, 2022, with the Premier officiating.
Construction began thereafter, with work commencing in 2023 and the building completed in 2025. Renovations to the existing prayer hall were subsequently undertaken and completed in the middle of 2026.
The Premier’s allocation of RM5 million, together with support from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), played an instrumental role in enabling the association to complete the project.
New facilities for future generations
The extended gurdwara features a dedicated floor for the Punjabi school, a multipurpose hall, a library, residential rooms and other amenities for the congregation and community.
The additional facilities are expected to strengthen the gurdwara’s role as a centre for religious, educational, cultural and social activities.
Kalwinder said the association had also taken into account the Premier’s request that the building become an iconic feature in Kuching’s city centre.
“In keeping with the request from YAB Premier, we have tried our best to make the building an iconic feature in the city centre,” he said.
He added that the upgraded gurdwara would complement surrounding developments while contributing to the beautification of the city.
In his speech at the ceremony, the Premier also highlighted the Sarawak Government’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which will enable eligible Sarawakians, including members of the Sikh community, to pursue undergraduate studies without tuition fees at participating state-owned higher education institutions.
In a further boost to education, Abang Johari contributed smartboards for all four classrooms at the gurdwara’s Punjabi school to support interactive teaching and learning.
Kalwinder said the Sikh community, although relatively small in numbers, had a long history in Sarawak and had contributed significantly to its development.
From humble beginnings, including employment as watchmen and security personnel, successive generations had progressed into professions such as medicine, law and education, serving both Sarawak and Malaysia.
He expressed hope that the expanded facilities would help sustain the community’s growth and development for generations to come.
Interfaith gathering reflects Sarawak’s diversity
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Premier Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Ibrahim Baki, who is also the assemblyman for the area; the Mayor of Kuching South; the Datuk Bandar of Kuching North; and community leaders.
Also present were heads and representatives of various religious communities, including Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Bahá’í and Muslim organisations, reflecting the interfaith harmony highlighted by the Premier.
Following the officiating ceremony, Abang Johari toured the newly completed extension to view its facilities.
The celebration concluded with guests joining the Sikh congregation, or sangat, for a vegetarian lunch at the new multipurpose hall.
For the Sikh community of Kuching, the occasion marked more than the completion of a construction project. It represented another chapter in the history of a gurdwara that has stood in the heart of the city for more than a century, evolving alongside the community and Sarawak itself.
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