KUCHING: Sarawak Teochew Association held its annual auction dinner at Lau Ya Keng eatery opposite the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple in Carpenter Street on Thursday night
Its president, Penghulu Tan Tuan Yee, officiated as guest of honour at the event.
The yearly auction raises funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the temple which was set up by the first Teochew settlers in Sarawak.
The temple is one of the association’s prized assets and is actively managed as part of its commitment to maintain the traditions and customs of the Teochew clan in the state.
Tony Sim Siang Hui who is the organizing chairman of this year’s dinner and auction revealed that there were 33 items up for grabs. All the items are blessed in the temple all year round and are well-sought after because of their symbolism for good luck and blessings.
Tony revealed that a total of RM125,450.00 was raised from the auction this year.
A vase, which was placed in front of the main deity in the temple for the whole of last year, attracted the highest bid of RM13,888 while some plastic flowers garnered the lowest bid of RM688.
He explained to the New Sarawak Tribune that during the organising process he and his committee did some strategising and they invited the attendees based on their participation in previous years.
During the auction, bidding agents were placed all around the hall to facilitate the process. There were also agents taking bids by phone or online from bidders who could not make it to the event.
He commended his entire committee for their hard work and commitment to the event. He regarded the task as an honor and the Teochew association for appointing him to the role.
Penghulu Tan in his opening speech reminded the audience that the upkeep of the temple is a joint responsibility. He also asked them to bid generously so that the association can raise as much funds as possible on the night.
Tan also stressed the importance for the community to maintain its traditions and culture. The temple is a place of worship and also stands as a reminder of their forefathers struggle to make a new home here in Sarawak.
Sim Kiang Chiok an advisor to the organizing committee was all praises for the young committee. He was pleasantly surprised that millennials like them were engrossed and passionate about their culture and religion.
He commented that what he had seen this year gives him optimism for the future and he opined that with the new generation turning up as volunteers in full force the culture and religion will definitely survive modernity and stay on for generations to come.
The temple which was set up in 1863 underwent major renovations in 1963 and is now also a tourist attraction in Kuching.
