By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
Construction work on the long-awaited Sikh crematorium in Johor Bahru has begun, marking a major milestone for a project that is expected to provide a constant income to the gurdwara on the southern-most tip of Peninsular Malaysia.
Within the next two years, the spanking new crematorium facility, with two gas-powered cremation chambers, would be up and running, serving Sikhs as well as other communities in Johor.
The crematorium will replace the existing wood-furnace crematorium that has been operating for more than nine decades.
On Friday (5 April 2024), the ground breaking prayers (ardaas) and commencement of construction was held in a ceremony.
The project is jointly undertaken by the Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru (GSJB) and the Paradigm Hectares (Nirvana). In 2017, both parties had signed an agreement to build and operate a crematorium in Kebun Teh in Johor, a such JV between the group and a Sikh gurdwara.
Among others, the project will consist of a crematorium hall and a columbarium designated for the interment of the ashes of people who have died and been cremated.
“The JV agreement will see the gurdwara receiving a monthly rental for the land as well as profit sharing from the business.
“The land and building will belong to GSJB. We have signed a deal with our JV partner. Our lawyers have combed through the agreement to ensure we protect the interests of GSJB,” a gurdwara official told Asia Samachar.
The construction, estimated to cost some RM10 million, will be undertaken by Nirvana, who will then subsequently manage the facilities.
“We have secured cremation rights for Sikhs. We also have access to bathing facilities as well as storage space,” he added.
At the ground breaking ceremony, GSJB committee president Tell Singh said: “Moving forward, this project will be the joint responsibility of present and future presidents of the gurdwara.”
At the same event, Nirvana Asia Group CEO Jeff Kong Yew Foong said: “This is our first partnership with a gurdwara..it is something new to us.”
In a note circulated earlier, GSJB said that it had obtained necessary approvals from all the relevant departments for the commencement of the project.
“This project will undoubtedly boost GSJB’s revenue, propel our efforts, and significantly enhance our capacity to build a stronger Sikh community in Johor, excelling in all aspects of community needs,” it said.
The project, a long dream of the local Sikh community, began taking shape in 2014 under the GSPJ chairmanship of Manjeet Singh, who is the current GSJB secretary. Subsequent gurdwara management team led by Manjit Singh Rakmo had also moved the project forward.
Among those who played instrumental roles in the project were Dr ARS Bhathal, Mokkam Singh, Dr Harjit Singh and Gurbachan Singh, all deceased now. Also acknowledge was the contribution by Avinderjit Singh.
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Johor Sikhs plan to replace 90-year crematorium (Asia Samachar, 24 Oct 2016)
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