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KUCHING, Aug 20: The Teokhiaw Club in Kuching, a century-old association, has been recognised by the Registrar of Societies as the oldest and most active registered association in Sarawak.
According to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was represented by Sarawak Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian at the association’s 102nd anniversary as well as the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence, Kuching Teokhiaw Club has witnessed the change of government in the State as well as the stages of social and economic development in each different period.
“The Teochew people place a high value on education and trade, which contributed to the development of our country and the expansion of the social economy, as well as education with a strong emphasis on good humanities and morality.
“Evidence can be found in the history of their charitable organisations, temples, and educational units,” Abang Johari said in his speech text, which Dr Sim read at the event last night (Aug 19)s held at a restaurant in Kuching.
As the Sarawak government strives to become the nation’s most developed State by 2030, the Premier also urged the active participation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to reach the goal more efficiently.
Meanwhile, the event’s chairman, Sim Siang Boon, stated earlier in his speech that the Teokhiaw Club in Kuching was founded in 1921 and has a 102-year history.
“However, our organisation that served members in the early years has been around for about 60 years, and it is one of the few township organisations in Sarawak that has been around for a century. It is inseparable from the origin of the Teochew Association in Kuching,” Sim said.
He went on to say that the Teokhiaw Club in Kuching is a club for Teochew overseas Chinese.
“Malaysian Chinese Teochew citizens today are no longer considered overseas Chinese. We keep the original name to preserve historical traces. After all, it represents the Kuching Teochew people’s history.
“Teokhiaw Club has remained consistent over the past century. It continues to carry on and inherit Teochew music, culture, and art.
“Teachers who have mastered Teochew music have traditionally played a crucial role in instructing and nurturing the younger generations, thereby fostering the growth and development of Teochew music.”
In addition, Sim mentioned that since 2005, the Teokhiaw Club has been organising an annual visit to an ancestral village in Shantou, China, for cultural root-seeking, learning, and visits, and that the events held there have garnered enthusiastic responses from the children of Teochew villagers and Chinese youths in Sarawak.
“Simultaneously, the interactive fellowship and exchange of Chinese traditional festivals, as well as the promotion of online Teochew language learning, have been enthusiastically received through the online network and the relevant units of the hometown,” he added. — DayakDaily
