Sibu Tales : Gambling durimg the White Rajah's Time

Rev Ling Kai Cheng on his 70th birthday. He was a man of honour with a great sense of justice. He was also well educated and a very good writer and historian.

The Rajah visited each division regularly and met with the public in the government office.  In mid 1933, when the Rajah was about to visit Sibu, I thought a Christian should take positive action, so together with my friends we wrote a petition to the Rajah, listing out all the harms caused by gambling and appealed to him to ban gambling.  

The letter was signed by quite a number of people and endorsed by some shopkeepers with their chops.  I submitted the letter to the Resident Mr Adam for him to pass to the Rajah.  When the day came for us to meet the Rajah, Sii Tuong Nang, Lau Kah Tii, Wong King Huo, myself and some other friends were present.  The Rajah took up the matter on gambling and asked if any petitioner was present.  I stood up and said that the general public would like his Highness to ban gambling so that the society could be peaceful. 

The secretary of the Rajah, Mr. Barnie said,” You Christians could stay out of gambling, there are many others who want to gamble.  Besides, the government also needs the tax. “

 I said, “The government could collect tax elsewhere, but it should not open the gates for vice.”

The  Resident told me, “Sudah” (Enough).

 Finally the public opinion was brought to the Rajah this time.  It was hoped that there would be an announcement of a ban on gambling.  Some people told me that I had done a good job. 

Praise the Lord, God gave us boldness, that was why Christians had the courage to change bad culture and took up the responsibility to share the Gospel with the society.

Extracted from Ling Kai Cheng's Memoirs, " Five Decades of My Life."