By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Dec 6: A colossal 118-foot traditional Chinese dragon, crafted from 10 tonnes of steel structures and 500 bags of cement, has become a captivating addition to Sarawak’s landscape.
The Lung Hua Kong Temple at Musi, Bau, Kuching, proudly unveils what could be Sarawak’s largest mythical creature sculpture, created by local sculptor Edwin Goh.
“The completion of this mythical dragon is timely and symbolic, coinciding with the Chinese Year of the Dragon in 2024. We believe it will bring good luck to the community,” said Lee Siaw Min, the temple’s deputy chairman.
Lee described the sculpture as not only depicting an auspicious mythical creature, but also equipped with the latest technology.
The dragon features a six-feet wide and 16-feet high cavity, allowing visitors to enter and explore its interior, equipped with an electronic smart system for lighting, air-conditioning, and other amenities.
“People and visitors to the temple could ‘enter the dragon’ through its mouth,” added Lee when interviewed by DayakDaily.
Inside the dragon’s cavity, 3D mythical sculptures depicting ocean wildlife will be showcased, accompanied by kaleidoscope sections to captivate visitors.
Additional features include a wishing well, a dry fountain, and human sculptures representing the three major communities in Bau – the Chinese, Bidayuh, and Malay.
“We will also be fixing laser lights at the creature to be operated at night and on special occasions. These amplify the atmosphere surrounding the mythical creature and the temple’s ambiance.
“At the moment, we hope to complete it before the soft opening by the end of the year,” said Lee.
Kapitan Lim Sui Kiang expressed gratitude to Deputy Minister of Transport and Assemblyman for Tasik Biru Datuk Henry Harry Jinep for funding and supporting the initiative.
“This dragon sculpture will create an attraction for Musi and the community. The place has been very quiet for many years. There used to be five shophouses here, but only one remains. There is not much activity these days,” said Lim.
The community here is thankful for the Ministry of Tourism, Creative industry, and Performing Arts through Facilitation Fund for Heritage, Arts and Culture, and Unit For Other Religion (Unifor) for making Musi a visitor’s destination and hoped the mythical dragon would bring them luck.
Musi, with 58 Chinese families and approximately 400 residents, is anticipating a cultural event titled ‘Pementasan Naga Warisan Cina Musi 2023’ from Dec 22 to 25. The event will showcase the temple dragon, traditional lion dance, luminous dragon dance competition, and an art competition involving local schools.
The Lung Hua Kong Temple and Musi village town in the Bau district, located about 25 kilometers from Kuching City, aims to become a vibrant destination, thanks to the monumental mythical dragon sculpture. — DayakDaily
