Nestled on a mangrove island, a 30-minute motorboat ride from the estuary of the Sepetang River in Perak, lies the Kuala Sangga fishing village. This village is an epitome of inter-religious harmony in Malaysia.
The site of the tiny century-old St. Anne Chapel here is unique: there isn’t even a single Christian in this ethnic Chinese village. Yet, the Buddhist community here charmingly maintains the chapel.
A couple of weeks ago, I visited this chapel with members from churches in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Despite being Catholic, I had not known about this chapel. The experience was incredibly moving and enlightening.
We took the boat from Kuala Sepetang (Port Weld) to Kuala Sangga, which is only accessible from the river. After disembarking at a concrete jetty – a challenge for all of us – we strolled along a narrow bridge for about 30m, passing stilt houses along the shore with their backs facing a mangrove swamp. The entire village is linked by long concrete and wooden bridges. The village’s modest kopitiam is the first thing a visitor sees upon arrival.
On the eastern side, a few hundred metres from the jetty, stands the pristine St Anne’s chapel – a small concrete building sandwiched between a row of houses.
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The distinctive beauty of the chapel well compensated for the unpleasant motorboat ride. A beautiful statue of St Anne, originally from St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, graces the entrance.
The 100-odd residents of this closely-knit Teochew community are mostly devotees of the Chinese temple in the village. But they cherish this chapel. There is no water or electricity supply here, but the enterprising villagers collect rainwater and use small generators to produce electricity. From my observation, these Buddhist villagers are passionate about looking after this Catholic chapel.
Most of the resident are ordinary folk engaged in various small business activities apart from fishing. Many others have left for the mainland, leaving a handful of simple folk on the island eking out a living and preserving their old way of life.
These folk may not be wealthy in material terms but they are rich in the human spirit. Ordinary people displaying extraordinary magnanimity in the way they respect a house of worship of another faith. What remarkable human beings! These exceptional individuals should be a role model for the nation.
Indeed, Kuala Sangga serves as a beacon of religious harmony in a country where ethnic and religious polarisation is now so commonplace, especially given how politicians play the race and religion card.
As a pragmatic optimist, I believe we can live in peace and harmony in Malaysia with respect for everyone’s ethnic heritage, religion, culture, and tradition. The noble folk of Kuala Sannga have confirmed my belief, making me proud to say I am Malaysian.
With Malaysia Day around the corner, may God bless the people of this tiny village – a shining star over the nation’s landscape.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
As a opinion writer on Malaysia from the East Malaysians presectives, it’s reassuring to learn that such community exists in West Malaysia. It’s what East Malaysians fight to preserve in the three ‘R’ world of Peninsular politics. Joe Samad.
Was there any Malay ? Any Muslim ? What went.wromg in Malaysia is ‘BULLYING BY [SOME] MALAY-MUSLIMS.
The answers are written on the wall but what else can be said?
Thank you very much Ben for the uplifting eye opener. As a Catholic, I have never heard about this St Anne Chapel and it moves my heart to see how our brethren of another faith take care of this chapel with such great love. If only political leaders followed such simple and win win ways.
I too had not heard about this chapel until I visited it in August.
Well written Ben
Sometimes its these little stories that touch our hearts and perhaps give a little hope that all is not lost in Malaysia
Much appreciated your feedback Nesan.
Yes I mentioned it in the last two paragraphs of my article about the noble people of this tiny village which burnishes my hope that we can all live as Malaysians in peace and harmony with respect for our diverse cultures, traditions and religions.
Malaysia draws its strength as a nation from its multiracial an multicultural mosaic. Diversity is always a source of strength for any country.
Even as a Catholic, when I passed a Hindu temple in Bangkok two years ago, I was moved when I saw the piety and reverence of the Thai Buddhists in this temple.
Thank you, Evelyn Khor for the write up on the little chapel of St Anne’s in Kuala Sangga Sangga. Thanks also to the Taoist community for their care and diligence in looking after the chapel. This is bcos Chinese traditional believe that there’s merit in the performance of such acts of kindness. The Catholic church should be more productive where their shrine/chapel are located and arrange to have oversight over them and not leave them unattended and derelict. This gives a poor image of our Christian community, that we’re poor custodians of God’s legacy .
Thanks for your comment. The article was actually written by Benedict Lopez, a couple of the photos and captions were from Evelyn Khor.
Truly malaysian and should be practice all along
Life and nature, it’s common sense
Why give problems when we can live and let live. M’sia is blessed with diversity let it be the God given strength in harmony.
There’s no need for Holier than thou. Control freak is bad in anything especially so in religion
We Chinese are educated in school to always respect others , our teaching is (dont do to others what you dont want others to do unto you)
I’m originally from Taiping and sadly I’ve never heard of this island, much less the St. Anne’s Chapel. Thank you for sharing this article and it’s about time the over-glorified priests of the Catholic church reciprocate the kindness of the inhabitants of Pulau Sanga for maintaining the chapel and start a mission there.
Well said. Indeed they over glorify themselves. So far the best priests l see are the one’s in Sri Lanka. Very humble, dedicated.
Does the Bishop aware of the glorified priests? Or is he also the same[?] Yesterday(Sunday) was the feast of Immaculate Conception, it wasn’t mentioned by the Priest. So sad
So good to read about this harmonious way of living. God Bless them all!🙏
Yet another brilliant exposition of truth information and heartwarming newsworthy journalism
Thanks bro. for those kind words all the way from Down Under. Much appreciated.