Visit by Taiping Heritage Society, 26 September 2011

The Restoration Project for our old association building has been receiving good response from a lot of concerned citizens. On the afternoon of 26 September 2011, members from the Taiping Heritage Society paid a visit to the old Shun Tak Association building to see for themselves, another piece of heritage, right in the middle of the town, that needs restoration. The chairman of Shun Tak Association Taiping, James Foo, and the Restoration Committee chairman, Tung Lay Chun, were there to guide the visitors around the place. The members of the Taiping Heritage Society were awed at the extent of the dilapidation that the century old clan house has undergone. Constructive advice was given by the members of the Taiping Heritage Society and they have shown great concern and are willing to assist us in our endeavor to restore the building. We are indeed very grateful to them for their support.



Members of the Taiping Heritage Society together with Shun Tak Taiping Association committee members posing for a picture at the ceremonial doorway of the old Shun Tak Association building

Our 116th Anniversary Celebration, 24 September 2011

The Shun Tak Association, Taiping celebrated its 116th anniversary-cum-mooncake festival event on 24 September 2011. This year's celebration began with our annual dinner at Flemington Hotel, Taiping. The support from members was very good.

Our members having a nice time during the dinner. The food was fine and the atmosphere was pleasant but the service was a bit slow.

After dinner, members adjourned to the association hall to listen to a speech by our chairman. Of course, there will be lucky draws and the prizes to be won can be seen on the table next to the rostrum.

A winner of the lucky draw. In fact, all our members and friends who turned up got something. The 'lucky' element is in what you get. If you are lucky you get something valuable and useful. In this way, we usually managed to draw in more members to come -hence the name "lucky draw".

Before we called it a day, our treasurer, Peng Wah, entertained us with a few songs. Unfortunately, a few of our members had left and so they missed this piece of entertainment. Don't worry, just come back next year. All in all, everyone was happy that it has been a very eventful year.

Visit by members from Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall, 28 August 2011

On the morning of 28 August 2011, the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall brought 40 of its members to Taiping to visit heritage sites. We were very fortunate to have our heritage association building on their itinerary. Special mention of thanks must be made to Mr Teoh Chee Keong, a lecturer of Architecture and Built Environment at the UCSI University, KL, for bringing them here.

On arrival at the gate of our old , heritage association building, the visitors from KL Chinese Assembly Hall was given a briefing on our restoration project by our Restoration Committee Chairperson, Tung Lay Chun.

Mr. Teoh Chee Keong was next to speak, he gave a detailed explanation about the roof of the building which needed to be replaced for it may fall apart anytime. The visitors looked up rather anxiously.

After a short tour of the old association building, the visitors were taken to the new association premises for light refreshment and a look at some of the artifacts. Some seemed to be still worried about the roof!

The leader of the KL Chinese Assembly Hall delivered her speech and in support of our effort to restore the heritage association building, the visitors donated a generous sum towards our cause. Our heartfelt gratitude to the members of the KL Chinese Assembly Hall.

Festival of the Hungry Ghosts

Hungry Ghosts Celebration, 21 August 2011

According to an expert on Chinese festivities, Wong Choon San, from the National Library, Singapore, the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts in the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is the most important and the most widely observed festival in Malaysia, second only to the New Year. The Shun Tak Association of Taiping celebrated this occasion on the 21 August 2011 with a prayer at the clan's ancestral grave by association members.

On arrival at the ancestral grave, members began to clean up the place with a senior member giving precise instructions.

It was a bright and sunny day and members came well prepared with sunglasses, umbrella and camera.

When everything was ready, the members paid their respect to the grand ancestor.

Offerings of incense-papers, hell-bank notes, and mock textile in various colours were placed in front of the ancestral grave. This offerings would be burnt at the end of the ceremony.

A perfect picture of filial piety

Finally, when all was done; back to the association hall and food was served for lunch . Celebrations like this will reinforce bonding between the past, present and the future generations of our Shun Tak Association members

Deity Kuan Tai's Birthday Celebration

Kuan Tai's Birthday Celebration, 24 July 2011

The Shun Tak Association membership may be small, but it is very active in carrying out events throughout the year to celebrate major Chinese auspicious occasions for its members and friends.

This year it celebrated the birthday of its main patron deity, Kuan Tai, on 24 July 2011 which coincided with the 24th day of the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. All members and friends were invited to the new association premises to offer prayer to the deity. Food and drinks were then served to all present. The attendance on that day was most encouraging.

The main altar of Kuan Tai at the Shun Tak Association, Taiping

Kuan Tai or Kuan Kung is considered the "God of War" and carries a sword. He is also considered the patron of the police and the triads. Kuan Tai was a real personality from the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220 -265). He is a symbol of loyalty and integrity and people pray to Kuan Tai for assistance or to have something done.