HISTORY
Facing the South China Sea, and off the north to the world's third largest Borneo Island, is an island which is proportionately miniature in size at approximately 92 square kilometers, yet overflows with the best of what nature has to offer to mankind — from the endless turquoise ocean, to the flawless blue skies and the vibrant tropical greenery. To top it all is the richness of its flavours — the noteworthy history and the diversity of its friendly faces that spells out the spirit of Malaysia This island, The Federal Territory of Labuan, is also fondly known as the Pearl of Borneo
Labuan, comprising of one main island and six surrounding islets, has history dating back to the sixteenth century. It was conferred the federal territory back in year 1984 and went on to become Malaysia's International Offshore Financial Centre in year 1990. Over the last three decades, Labuan has enjoyed an accelerated socioeconomic growth_ With the Labuan Development Blueprint 2030, this unassuming yet divinely beautiful island set to becoming a well-integrated economic regional hub to better serve the business, investment and intermediation needs of the region including the ASEAN and ASIA markets.
Nestled within this tropical paradise, and within a serene atmosphere is a little sanctuary, The Holy Abode of Lord Thirumurugan. Over the years Thirumurugan Temple Labuan has served not only as a place of worship, but also as a "home away from home" for thousands of Hindu devotees.
A little more than half a century ago, Captain RTD K.G. Muthu (RMAF), together with a small number of Hindus who lived in Labuan at that time - together built this little shrine. Back in the days, it depicted what we typically see in our estates a plantations - small shed built out of mortar and bricks with a zinc roof, minus the opulence and elegance of temples around the bigger cities in Malaysia.
During the course of the fifty years, the shrine went on multiple facelifts, mostly minor ones and then, just before its first ever consecration ceremony in year 1992, the temple committee invited a group of sculptors from India for the upliftment and refurbishment works. The temple was last renovated in year 2000, well before the next consecration ceremony that took place in year 2004. There were some basic refurbishment and repainting works that were carried out at that time.
In line with the transformation plan and with the grace of Lord Thirumurugan, an organising committee was registered in year 2018. From the time of its inception, Thirumurugan Temple Management F T Labuan, had bolstered all its efforts into turning this dream into reality. Led by Mr. Subramaniam Muniandy, and under the patronage of one of the temple's pioneer members, the team has achieved many a milestone in the last couple of years.
The temple land was originally owned and located within the perimeters of Royal Malaysian Air Force (Labuan) base. Recently, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has gifted the land to the temple itself - which now enables devotees and visitors a more convenient route to reach the temple via a newly constructed infrastructure plan, instead of having to access through the military base.This, coupled with the approval from Perbadanan Labuan (Labuan Authority) saw the beginning of the reconstruction works in 2019. In December 2021, Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (Inland Revenue Board) approved the tax exemption for donors who donated towards "Tabung Pembinaan Kuil Thirumurugan".
The total renovation cost is estimated to be close to PM 3.5 million, comprising of the setup of the temporary place of worship, a new perimeter fencing as required by MINDEF, the new access road and related infrastructure and landscaping works, and mainly for the construction of the new temple building and its consecration ceremony. The working committee foresees the completion of works and consecration ceremony to be held by the end of year 2023 with his grace and blessings
Meditation
Loving God is actually a great meditation on God. Your heart concentrates on the Supreme Being. You make yourself en rapport with this mighty existence.
Community
God's desire for us—and a sign of a mature faith. Because at the end of the day, when we grow in our relationships with others, we're growing in relationship with Him!
Philosophy
God is the creator and sustainer of the universe and is unlimited with regard to knowledge (omniscience), power (omnipotence), extension (omnipresence), and moral perfection. Though regarded as sexless, God has traditionally been referred to by the masculine pronoun.
