IT IS hoped that the whole country will not be turned ‘upside down’ one again with the discovery of a Na Tuk Kong (Datuk Gong) with an Allah inscription in Jawi in Merlimau, Melaka which happens to be the state constituency of rightist UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
This is especially so after the staunch defender of race and religion had championed the March 2024 nationwide outrage/boycott of KK Super Mart following discovery of socks bearing the word “Allah” at several of the 24-hour convenience store chain.
Thankfully, the furore was laid to rest after the intervention of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia who personally met KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and later Akmal alongside two UMNO top brass – the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Melaka Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
As per the account of Malay language news portal, MalaysiaGazette, the discovery of the Na Tuk Kong shrine with Allah inscription at Jalan Jeti Anjung Batu in Pantai Siring, Merlimau on Wednesday night (April 8) had shocked residents before they reported it to the authorities.
According to Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs EXCO Datuk Rahmad Mariman, the controversial discovery was noticed by a group of fishermen before he rushed to the location for confirmation.
Apparently, an inspection at around 11.30pm by the Ayer Molek state assemblyman found that the brick-built shrine was located in a mangrove forest area facing the beach and was near fenced land owned by an individual.
For the uninitiated, Na Tuk Kong are local guardian spirits worshipped primarily by Chinese communities in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
They represent a unique cultural fusion where Malay spirits or saints (Datuk) are honoured within Taoist-influenced shrines. These protectors are believed to bring safety and prosperity to homes, workplaces and construction sites.
Thankfully, the matter has been put to rest with Rahmad revealing that the said shrine would be demolished by yesterday evening (April 9) by its owner.
Cited by Berita Harian, he said the demolition exercise led by Serkam state assemblyman Datuk Zaidi Attan and monitored by the local authorities was scheduled for around 2.30pm.
While the identity of the owner is not immediately known, Rahmad contended that the individual has no connection with heretical teachings as has been circulating on social media. – Focus Malaysia
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