Category: Religious Sites

Broga, which spans the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, possesses a refreshing hilly natural landscape, as well as captivating local myths and legends that gave birth to a localized folk religion – Sak Dato.

In the mid-19th century, a batch of Hakkanese from HuiZhou in GuangDong, China, left their beloved hometown to become tin miners at Broga, which was still wilderness at the time. Upon settling down, due to being unaccustomed to the climate, along with poor living conditions, they suffer from illness. An indigenous man named Aman, who was warm-hearted and compassionate, always gathered medicinal herbs to help cure the miners’ illness. He lived in a stone cave along the path leading to the mining area, hence the miners refer to him as Sak Man. Word has it Sak Man vanished one day, and visited the miners’ dreams to inform them he had ascended to heaven, and was appointed by the Jade Emperor to safeguard the region. The miners went to investigate the stone cave, and found Sak Man’s remains in a termite nest. They buried him on the spot and erected a temple to pay respects to him.

Over the years, whenever confronted with difficulties, Broga villagers sought advice or herbal remedies from Sak Dato. Sak Dato is very efficacious, therefore villagers would send wooden plaques as a token of appreciation. In the early days, the temple was merely a shabby zinc hut, visited by local villagers. In 1991, FengShui master Chen WenGuo chanced to visit, and found that the temple was facing the wrong direction. After gaining Sak Dato’s approval, he reconstructed the temple into an auspicious facing direction. Master Chen offered help free of charge, under one condition: the temple committee must utilize money received from devotees for charity. The following year, upon completion of rebuilding works, the temple became popular and devotees flocked to visit.

As the number of devotees increases, 30% of contributions to the temple are allocated to charity; the rest are used for beautifying the temple grounds, administration and maintenance purposes. The “Garden of Virtuous Deeds” Foundation was established in 1992, distributing relief funds to the poor and the ill in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur on a monthly basis, consecutively up to the 400th session at present. Thanks to the continual generous support of devotees, there were no interruptions even during the Movement Control Order. At the same time, the temple committee also sponsors Home for the Angels Care Centre, which takes in orphans and children from dysfunctional families.

In 2012, the Sak Dato Cultural Museum was established to preserve historical relics of the Chinese community, and spread awareness to the public about the hardships and struggles of the development of Chinese education in Malaysia. The statues of the three key figures of Chinese education in Malaysia (Lim Lian Geok, Sim Mow Yu, and Lok Ting Yee) on exhibition are from The Four Houses Of Red in Gemas.

Initially, upon construction of the Sak Dato Temple, the British colonial government allocated 1.7 acres of land. Over the years, the temple committee gradually purchased neighbouring plots of land, expanding and beautifying the temple grounds so that people not only come to worship, but also to exercise and relax. The temple also attracted tourists near and far, boosting local economic activities. To date, the temple spans 38 acres, with 10 acres pending development.

Sak Dato Temple plays an important role in the Broga neighbourhood; not only a place of worship, it is also a place for healthy recreational activities, a cultural centre passing on the historical heritage, and at the same time contributing to social welfare and helping the needy.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2025 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

In the wee hours of the morning, a number of Kuala Kubu Bharu village residents are busy preparing a tableful of offerings in front of their house, gathering on the roadside to look around in anticipation. As the sun breaks through the clouds, drumming and firecrackers crackling fill the air, about a thousand devotees throng around Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào where the Shī Yé patrol procession begin, heading into each and every alley of the local village to shower blessings, and then the town before returning to the temple. The entire route measures about seven kilometres. Along the way, devotees kneel and pray to the deities for protection over their families, as well as exchanging incense and offerings with the procession.

The main deities of Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào are the Third Shī Yé and Fourth Shī Yé, Third Shī Yé being Kapitan Shin Kap alias Kapitan Sheng Meng Li, the Kapitan of Sungei Ujong or Seremban who was worshipped upon his demise in war; Fourth Shī Yé being Chung Lai, a commander who fought together with Yap Ah Loy and lost his life in the Selangor Civil War. As a memorial to the two late Hakka leaders who fought hard to protect the community, they were venerated in the same temple by Yap Ah Loy. Eventually a religious cult was established by the Hakka clan in Malaya, which later on spread to various settlements, watching over the development of tin mining towns.

Yuè Shān Gǔ Miào was built in 1895, overlooking and safeguarding the village and town of Kuala Kubu Bharu. Initially Kuala Kubu in Ulu Selangor, the town was founded on tin mining and rubber cultivation. Six decades ago, disaster befell the town, after consultation with deities, Shī Yé went on a patrol procession to drive away evils therefore restoring peace. Since then, the procession became a triannual event held on the 15th day of the second lunar month, with a three-day ritual ceremony.

The current president of the organizing committee, Mr Tan Tek Son, who grew up in Kuala Kubu Bharu and is now 77 years old, has been handling temple affairs for over half a century, thus very familiar with the procedures. Preparations start one month in advance due to tedious and time-consuming aspects, volunteers turn up to help in scrubbing altars, polishing censers, folding joss papers, cleaning and re-assembling wooden sedan chairs. On the procession day itself, some even come as early as 3A.M. to cook vegetarian fare for attendees. 

What catches the eye most is the “Iron Throne” – a wooden sedan seat lined with sharp nails. A week before the procession, the temple lets interested spirit mediums perform moon block toss, whoever wins the most approvals from Shī Yé gets assigned. In olden days, the customary practice was getting spirit mediums to stay overnight at the temple, Shī Yé will decide on which candidate prior to the procession, however in recent years this practice was overridden by moon block toss to show fairness.

The procession is led by gong, drums, lion dance, and the Marshals of Five Celestial Camps, then comes the “Iron Throne”. This year’s assigned spirit medium is 61-year-old Mr Yap Swee Lin, who after being possessed by Shī Yé sat steadily upon the “Iron Throne” while brandishing a sword, maintaining a calm countenance despite the constant jolting. The censer as well as tables laden with offerings followed right after.

Bringing up the rear are the two sedan chairs of Shī Yé and Guān Yīn respectively, with Shī Yé’s borne by male devotees while Guān Yīn’s borne by female devotees, followed by spirit mediums and devotees with their cheeks pierced by needles. Devotees who encounter misfortune may request to kneel under the sedan chair for luck. 

Shī Yé worship is founded on a collective need for peace, security, and health. The triannual procession is not on a large scale, yet in the small town it is considered a grand event. By the means of a patrol procession, the deity showers blessings upon local residents, who found spiritual ease, as well as promoting community bonds and cultural heritage.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

“Knock!” On the table dusted with flour, a few strokes are written by a tip of the wooden sedan chair. A red cloth is tied around the waist of the red-faced Guān Dì, who sits on the sedan chair carried by two bearers. When Guān Dì manifests, the sedan chair sways to convey messages from the deity. On Tuesdays and Fridays at 8P.M., devotees gather at Tung Loh Temple nestled in the village of Jenjarom for Guān Dì consultation sessions.

Tung Loh Temple worships Guān Dì, protector of the common folk. Originally named Guān Yǔ, courtesy name Yúncháng, he was a military general serving under Eastern Han in the Three Kingdoms. His heroic deeds were documented in the classical book, The Records of the Three Kingdoms, and became widespread with the popular fiction The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After the Peach Garden Oath, despite being captured by Cáo Cāo, he remained loyal to Liú Bèi, therefore he became a virtuous role model. The common folk immortalized him in celebration of his good virtues, and various posthumous titles were conferred to him till the Dì (Emperor) level.

In the 1910s, China was in the midst of political instability, as forerunners sailed southwards to seek a better living, incense ashes from Tung Loh Temple in Anxi County were carried for protection. Upon settling in Jenjarom, the Guān Dì faith was worshipped at home. Due to resources being scarce, when facing problems or sickness, people could only pray to deities for blessings to overcome difficulties. With his supreme powers, Guān Dì offers effective solutions and treatments, attracting neighbouring villagers to come to pray and seek consultation. In the 1950-60s, Jenjarom did not have medical facilities, Guān Dì would give prescriptions and went around in a wooden sedan chair to find herbs in the vicinity for ill devotees.

Consulting Guān Dì via wooden sedan chair spanned over a century in history, although the practice has been abolished in China, the Chinese who migrated overseas kept it running. There are barely any prohibitions regarding Guān Dì consultation, only refrain from noisy behaviour or participating in illegal activities. The most crucial aspect is to show sincerity and respect towards Guān Dì. Upholding Guān Dì’s mentality of helping others, many devotees attend consultation sessions as volunteers, as well as train up generations of sedan bearers. Due to the unspoken rule of rejecting monetary gifts, devotees who received blessings and would like to show their gratitude raised funds to acquire land to build a temple for Guān Dì. Tung Loh Temple in Jenjarom was established in 1986 and has been flourishing since.

Like most local villagers, the current temple committee chairman, Mr Tan Chin Chuan, comes from a family of fervent Guān Dì devotees, of which five generations are sedan bearers. Under social influence, he also engaged in worshipping Guān Dì, thus learning the story behind the faith as well as inspirations: Uphold good moral principles, be filial to parents, be loyal to spouse, siblings, and friends. Incidentally he accepted the post of committee chairman, following Guān Dì’s will to help the Jenjarom community. During festive celebrations, Tung Loh Temple gives back to the society by contributing foods and goods to the needy.

The worship of Guān Dì may had its roots in feudalism, however it makes a positive impact on society, promoting valuable traditional culture as well as encouraging moral behaviour. Even though times change, loyalty and bravery are still generally appreciated. With devotees dedicated in spreading the Guān Dì mentality, Tung Loh Temple in Jenjarom thrives on.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2022 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD