MUKAH: During the eve and first day of Chinese New Year (CNY) every year, temples are always filled with hundreds of worshippers, but not this year.
Complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for prayers in houses of worship issued by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) last Sunday, most temples will be closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The same goes for Hock Hsan Teng Tua Pek Kong temple at Kampung Penakub Bazaar here. Its committee members, led by Kapitan Kueh Bing Chuan, decided to allow only 12 people to pray at a time.
“Apart from limiting the number of devotees who come to pray, we also do not allow children under the age of 12 to enter the temple.
“Apart from that, people who come to the temple must also scan the MySejahtera barcode provided, wear a face mask and practise 1m physical distancing.
“As a precautionary measure, we also provide hand soap for the public to wash their hands before and after prayers.
“It is hoped that all devotees will comply with these instructions because we do not want the Covid-19 cases in our state to increase,” he said on Tuesday (Feb 9).
Kueh said the temple, which is over 100 years old, was originally built using belian wood by local Chinese.
According to him, the temple was also used as a shelter by the villagers when the Japanese attacked Sarawak during WWII.
Around the 1980s, the Hock Hsan Teng Tua Pek Kong temple was built using cement and it continues to be beautified by the villagers until today.
“As one of the ways to attract visitors, we have also invited renowned local painter Lio Fok to re-draw the paintings of Chinese deities, which were painted on the temple walls some 30 years ago.
“Initially, the committee members also plan to officiate the paintings this year, however, everything had to be postponed due to Covid-19,” said Kueh.
When asked how he would celebrate CNY this year, Kueh said he would only be celebrating modestly with his family members.
He hoped that the public would continue to adhere strictly to SOPs and adapt to the new norm practices.
“What is important at this time is to follow the instructions or recommendations given by the government. Do not ignore those instructions because they are for the good of us all.
“It does not matter that our celebration this year is not lively, as long as in the coming years, we will be able to celebrate it again on a large scale as before.
“Therefore, as a kapitan, I call on all Chinese in Kampung Penakub Bazaar, to continue to comply with SOPs so that we can break the Covid-19 infection chain,” he said, adding that he would not recommend those in the red and orange zones to return to their respective hometowns.
For Kueh’s father Kueh Tian Hoh, he said he had to accept the fact that he could not celebrate CNY with his family members this year.
“For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, I agree and follow the government’s instructions not to celebrate this festival on a large scale this year to prevent the virus from spreading further.
“Although we cannot return to our hometowns to celebrate this festival with our families, we must still take care of our safety and health so that we can be reunited as usual during this festival next year and in the years to come.”
Kampung Penakub Bazaar is the only village in Mukah with a large Chinese population.
It is estimated that 60 per cent of the population are Chinese, 35 per cent Melanau and five per cent other races, including Iban.
The over 100-year-old Hock Hsan Teng Tua Pek Kong temple at Kampung Penakub Bazaar in Mukah. 
Among the paintings that have been repainted by Lio Fok.
Chinese New Year celebration of the Kueh family in recent years. 
Chinese New Year celebration of the Kueh family in recent years.
Chinese New Year celebration of the Kueh family in recent years. 
Kueh Tian Hoh with his family members in front of the Hock Hsan Teng Tua Pek Kong temple.
