Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society (CHKMUS) Sarawak is a non-governmental charitable organisation that was established 56 years ago in 1961.
It adopts the essence of teachings from five major religions namely Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism in order to transform a person by way of moral values with the objective of assisting the sick and the needy irrespective of ethnic origin and creed. It also provides an avenue for inter communication among the people in the country.
Originally from China, it has been spread southwards to Malaysia some two hundred years ago.
There are now more than two hundred chapters in Malaysia and it has become a charitable organisation that helps guide the various ethnic groups to develop the spirit of mutual trust and interdependence thus benefitting the society as a whole.
Three presidents have led the Society over the past 56 years.
The current President, Datuk Tay Chin Kin has led the Society for 27 years since he assumed the post in 1990. CHKMUS was the first among the 35 chapters in East Malaysia.
CHKMUS is located at its own premise at Ellis Road, Kuching which was built over 50 years ago. Construction of the building and annual operational expenses mainly derived from donations received from its Honourary Presidents, its Board of Directors, committee members and social enthusiasts. It is also operated with the guidance and allocations from the government. It may not be able to achieve perfection in its service, but it has however played an important role as a voluntary organisation to the best of its ability.
For the past decades, CHKMUS has performed services in the following areas:
• Free Medical Services
Set up since its establishment, several Chinese physicians, in response to the call, offered free consultation. Any patient is only required to pay a minimum amount upon registration. This has benefited and saved the lives of many sick and needy patients in the past 50 years. The Service Counter is open in the afternoons of all working days. About 100,000 people have benefited and recovered after consultation and given medical attention.
• Funeral Assistance
This department was set up in order to help the bereaved poor solve their financial predicament as they need to buy coffins and the expenses incurred. Upon obtaining the death Certificate, which has been certified by Area Chief, the bereaved family may obtain a set of coffin. This provides great relief to the poor families.
• Monthly Subsidies
The Service Counter was set up since the very beginning. The poor or needy, irrespective of ethnic groups and creeds, may apply for the subsidies, e.g. rice, sugar, cereals, cooking oils, daily commodities and cash, to be distributed in accordance with the number of people in the applicant’s family. Besides that, the Society is also involved in natural disaster relief in various areas wherever and whenever it occurs. Applications from those who required treatment overseas may also be considered. Monthly subsidies is mainly aimed to provide short-term relief until the applicant’s financial condition improves. The Society does not provide lifelong support. This project has brought much joy to various groups especially during the festive seasons.
• Recreational Activities
The Society provides ping-pong, drama and arts training such as the folk dance, Tai Chi 18-style, street dance etc. which have attracted thousands of participants.
• Education Bursary awards or scholarships are distributed to achievers in secondary and primary schools irrespective of medium of instruction, donation to independent schools foundation were parts of its norm annual event.
Recently the Society has set up its own educational assistance program for childrens of their own members as well the needy students from other ethnic groups. This includes providing assistance for schools fees, school uniforms, text books and etc.
• Hsien De Memorial Hall
It provides a resting place for the souls of thousands of people and a place for their loved ones to continue to offer memorial moments there. During Festive seasons such as the Chinese New Year, Men Lan Jie and Winter Offerings, the Society used to hire a Senior Monk to offer rituals for the lost souls to ensure the continuation of the culture of fulfilling filial piety.
• Spreading Moral Values
To spread moral values, the Society Elders teach the followers to offer themselves for purification of their hearts on the 1st and 15th day of the month or on Teachers’ birthdays based on the teachings of “Moral Education” Chapter 10 verse 8.
CHKMUS holds and invites people from all walks of life in the society to participate in the dinners and gatherings for Chinese Yuen Hsiao Jie (Lantern Festival or Chap Goh Meh), Chinese New Year, its anniversary, Mid Autumn Festival and etc. annually which reflect Chinese cultures.
For the past ten years, CHKMUS and MAA Medicare have jointly set up the CHKMUS-MAA Medicare Charity Dialysis Centre due to acute demand of the society.
Led by CHKMUS president Datuk Tay, it was set up in two adjacent shoplots at Pending. It has now moved into its own RM10 million 6-storey building, the largest in Southeast Asia with advanced facilities. Currently, it services about 200 people. It will be able to accommodate 700 renal patients when it is fully operational. Over 6,000 patients have benefited from its service since its establishment.
Under the visionary leadership of Datuk Tay, CHKMUS has gathered the strength of the government and the people, built a love stronghold as well as earned the attention of the government. The Chief Advisor of CHKMUS was the late Toh Puan Laila Taib, wife of our Yang di Pertua Negeri.
Promoting love in the community, the Society has organised royal dinners, charity dinners, Kidney Foundation dinners, and also the classic dance performance by a Chinese cultural troupe, it has deeply planted LOVE in the hearts of the people.
In conjunction with the completion of the Building of LOVE, CHKMUS would like to thank the State Government, Yang DiPertua Negeri and social enthusiasts for their support and contributions to this cause.
CHKMUS are looking forward to expand their performance gradually in order that the building would be able to accommodate all renal patients of various ethnic groups in the nearest future. Furthermore, with sufficient resources, CHKMUS also plan to provide fistula surgery services to kidney patients.
CHKMUS would uphold their principles upon the establishment of this Society that they would strive to reach a solidarity in promoting moral values with other religious bodies in hopes of a greater understanding and total harmony in the society.
