Gurudwara Sahib Teluk Intan, Perak

The first Police Post in Teluk Anson (renamed Teluk Intan in 1981) was opened in 1877 at the junction of Anson Road (renamed Jalan Bandar) and Innese Road (renamed Jalan Mak Intan). In 1892 the Sikhs in the Police Force established a Gurdwara Sahib in the Police barracks compound. Around 1935, this first Sikh Police Gurdwara Sahib in Teluk Anson was closed. The Chief Police Officer handed over all the movable possessions of the Police Gurdwara Sahib, including a cash donation of Straits Settlements $883.88, to the Sikh Sangat of Teluk Anson. In 1934, the Sikh Sangat rented a double storey wooden bungalow house for Straits Settlements $12.00 a month at Number 1064 Anderson Road (renamed Jalan Sekolah in 1970). This building was renovated and used as a Gurdwara Sahib. On 2' September 1936, the Gurdwara Sahib Land Title Number 2540 Lot Number 883, having an area of 30 Poles, was purchased by the Sikh Sangat. On 30th April 1937, the adjoining piece of land, Title Number 7882 Lot Number 1241 and 11 Poles in area, was also acquired. Havaldar Gulzar Singh, Sardar Sadu Singh, Sardar Lehena Singh and Sardar Ujagar Singh played an important part in raising donations for the Gurdwara Sahib. This Gurdwara Sahib building was repaired on several occasions by the Sangat. By the 1990s the condition of this Gurdwara building had deteriorated and it was not economical to repair. Finally, this 68-year-old Gurdwara Sahib building was demolished in January 2003, to make way for a new Gurdwara Sahib. The Management Committee comprises of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, their assistants and five committee members. The present Trustees of the Gurdwara Sahib are Sardar Santokh Singh, Sardar Harbhajan Singh and Sardar Saudagar Singh. Bhai Hardit Singh served as a Granthi in this Gurdwara Sahib for about 12 years from 1946 to 1959. Bhai Sohan Singh served as a Granthi here for nearly 23 years from 1961 to 1994. There are presently about 35 Sikh families staying around Teluk Intan who participate in the religious activities held in this Gurdwara Sahib. The weekly prayers are held on Sunday mornings from 9.00a.m. to 10.00a.m. Other religious programmes are held as and when necessary at the request of the Sikh Sangat. (Note: In December 2002, the Management Committee rented a building which is being used as a Gurdwara Sahib on a temporary basis. Construction on the new Gurdwara Sahib building is expected to commence in late 2003 on the site of the old Gurdwara Sahib.) Courtesy: Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaysia&Singapore Saran Singh Sidhu AMN,PNM,FRNS