Gurudwara Sahib Tanjong Malim, Perak

In the 1920s the Sikhs residing around the Tanjong Malim area were mostly dairy farmers and bullock cart drivers. These Sikhs built a small Gurdwara Sahib building with wooden planks and an attap roof near the location of the present Catholic High School. The year in which this Gurdwara Sahib was built is not known but it was demolished in 1931. In 1931, the Sikh community of Tanjong Malim purchased a piece of land EMR Number 228 (Lot Number 225) in the township of Tanjong Malim. This land, which was nearly two acres in size, was bought from a private owner for Straits Settlements $750.00. At this time, the Sikh community appointed four Trustees; Sardar Prem Singh, Sardar Pan Singh, Sardar Man Singh and Sardar Dalip Singh. These four Trustees' names were inserted in the land title deed and marked as Pres. 463 Transfer 70/31 dated 13th September 1931 The land for the Gurdwara Sahib was very low. The Sikhs transported earth and stones on their bullock carts to fill up this low area. In late 1931 the Sikh community built a wooden Gurdwara Sahib on concrete stilts. This Gurdwara was declared open by the sangat in early 1932 when a jormela was held. The Sikh sangat came from the surrounding areas to participate in this event. In 1932, the Sikh community was also allocated a small piece of land along Jalan Slim Lama, about three miles from Tanjong Malim town, to be used as a crematorium by the Sikhs. The size of this land was 3 Roods 16.6 Poles Lot Number 2625 Mukim Hulu Bernam Timur vide State of Perak Gazette Number 9279 dated 16th October 1932. In 1966, the Government donated RM20,000.00 to repair and upgrade the Gurdwara Sahib building as well as build a langgar hall and kitchen. This Gurdwara Sahib building was demolished in July 2003 to make way for a new Gurdwara Sahib. The Management Committee comprise of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and eight committee members. The present Trustees of this Gurdwara Sahib are Sardar Charanjit Singh, Sardar Sarjit Singh, Sardar Sukhvinder Singh and Sardar Mohan Singh. Giani Mahinder Singh Ji, Sikh Missionary (Village Mengaseran, Amritsar) served as a Granthi at the Tanjong Malim Gurdwara Sahib from 1957 to 1966. He is also a well-known speaker as well as an exponent of Gatka, the Sikh art of self-defence. Bhai Jagjit Singh (Village Saleena, Moga) has been performing the duties of a caretaker and Granthi in this Gurdwara Sahib for more than 35 years since 1966. There are presently about 20 Sikh families residing around the Tanjong Malim area who participate in the religious activities held in this Gurdwara Sahib. The weekly prayers are held on Sunday mornings at 8.00a.m. to 9.00a.m. Other religious programmes are held as and when necessary at the request of the Sikh Sangat. Courtesy: Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaysia&Singapore Saran Singh Sidhu AMN,PNM,FRNS