Temple panel denies claims
Published on: Thursday, June 27, 2024
By: Kan Yaw Chong
Left: Ram. The century-old Sikh Gurdwara in Tanjung Aru which is undergoing restoration work.
Kota Kinabalu: Kinabalu Singh Sabha Association (KSSA) President Datuk Ram Singh denied claims that seeking State heritage status for the century-old Sikh Gurdwara in Tg Aru will place the temple out of the Sikh community’s hands and end up being managed by bureaucrats from other faiths.
“These are his own words,” he said in response to spokesman for the opposing group, historian Avtar Singh, who feared that the community would no longer have a free hand to manage the temple’s affairs.
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Ram said it is necessary to see the heritage status through the lens of positivity instead of in negative light. The temple was built in 1924 and considered the oldest in Borneo. It is due to mark its centenary this year.
The condition inside the temple.
He contends that getting heritage status would not mean the Sikh community would lose control of the Gudwara “because the ownership, the title, is under our trustees”.
“The ownership is still under us, we will still be running it. So I am surprised by this comment, we should be proud of this heritage and the Gurdwara needs urgent restoration works.”
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Ram also said no one was forced to surrender place of worship to a (government) committee as suggested.
“The issue was deliberated in the sub committee for State Heritage and the main Committee recommended that the proposal be put to a vote at the EGM this Sunday (June 30).
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“This would be the ideal place to argue his case and I invite Avtar to turn up.”
On money, Ram said: “It is estimated that the restoration will cost RM2.5 million, maybe RM3 million because wood is not cheap these days and the Committee does not have that sort of cash.”
On the claim that the Sabah State Heritage Council that would oversee the premises if such step was taken comprised government officials and no Sikhs, Ram said Council membership is not necessarily cast in stone but can accommodate when circumstances warrant it.
On concerns that temple land can be leased and purchased by the government under the Land Acquisition Ordinance for public purposes, buildings removed and KSSA stripped of its rights and control over the Gudwara, he said:
“This is like the cow jumping over the moon, beyond our experience, beyond rationality, something impossible.”
He quoted Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun (current State Minister of Finance) on the provisions in the 2017 State Heritage Enactment who had said “We don’t want people to think that the government will take over the building if it is gazetted .
“No, if the building or landmark is of historical interest we will help you develop it where needed. If it needs some restoration works or new sign boards, road paved leading to it, we can try to help.”
Masidi had pledged that ”the whole idea is to conserve the heritage in its original structure as much as possible.”
Ram said the Sikh community should feel proud when the State recognises the community’s cultural heritage and contribution to North Borneo (now Sabah) over the last 100 years.
“Heritage buildings are anchor places of identity for cities. A 100-year old building like this is a special witness to a niche cultural history of the Sikhs in Sabah.
“It helps to give people a sense of place and connection to a deep past,” he said.
Ram, a lawyer, also denied that the restoration work due to termite infestation was carried out under a veil of secrecy.
“The matter was discussed in the main Committee and also in the Sub Committee for State Heritage,” he said.
“Neither was it abruptly closed and the Holy Darbar prayer hall dismantled without consultation. Prayers were offered by priests in accordance to Sikh rites and also on expert advice on safety reasons in case termite infested overhead beams might collapse on worshippers.”
Ram said there was also no disrespect for the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) as prayers were performed by priests in accordance to Sikh rites prior to its relocation.
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