Gurudwara Sahib Pontian, Johor

By the 1950's there were a few Sikhs residing in Pontian who were mostly employed as watchmen. Some of these Sikhs were engaged in money lending while others were in private business. To serve their religious needs they decided to build .a Gurdwara Sahib. The inaugural general meeting was held at the Indian Association Hall in Pontian on 25 February 1963. Sardar Jagir Singh Cheema was elected as the President of the building committee, which comprised of Sardar Joginder Singh Didarewala, Sardar Jasbir Singh Dhale-Ke Moga, Sardar Kehar Singh Himmatpura, Sardar Santokh Singh Sangatpura, Sardar Teja Singh Pekan Nenas, Sardar Bachan Singh Cheema, Sardar Karnail Singh Shooshak, Sardar Jawand Singh Didarewala and Sardar Jong Singh Kot Kapura. On 2nd August 1964 the Sikh sangat decided to purchase a piece of land which was 17,013 square feet / 55,539 share (Undivided Lot). This land consisted of jungle without any approach road. The Sikh sangat took six months to clear the jungle and build an access road. A temporary wooden Gurdwara Sahib building was built at a cost of RM3,200.00 and completed in August 1965. The Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was ceremoniously brought and placed in the Gurdwara Sahib building on 28 August 1965. Sardar Kehar Singh Himmatpura, an ex-police pensioner, performed the duties of a Granthi Sahib, free of charge for nearly 20 years. All donations received by him were put into the Gurdwara fund. On 4 September 1966 the foundation stone of the new Gurdwara Sahib building was laid by Sant Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the respected leader of the Sikhs in Punjab. Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji of Malacca was also present during this occasion. On 26 November 1969, the District Officer in Pontian was approached to have the road leading to the Gurdwara Sahib named officially as Jalan Gurdwara. This request was subsequently approved. The construction of the new Gurdwara Sahib building commenced in November 1970 and was completed in March 1976 at a cost of RM45,000.00 out of which RM10,000.00 was donated by the Johor State Government. The new Gurdwara Sahib building was officially declared open by the Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) of the State of Johor, Y.A.B. Tan Sri Datuk Haji Othman bin Haji Mohd Saat, on Sunday 28 March 1976. About 700 Sikhs from Singapore, Johor Bharu, Segamat, Kluang, Batu Pahat and Kuala Lumpur were present during the occasion. To welcome the Chief Minister, the cultural Bhangra group under Sardar Nashatar Singh Nihang and the Punjabi Gatka pair, Giani Mahinder Singh Srur and Giani Anokh Singh, gave an outstanding performance which was greatly appreciated by all present. Courtesy: Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaysia&Singapore Saran Singh Sidhu AMN,PNM,FRNS