Baram Tales: Founders of Chung Hua School of Marudi

When the Chinese traders landed on a spot to trade in south east Asia in the early 18th or 19th centuries, they would most likely put up a small temple for Tua Pek Kong. This would become their permanent place of assembly. And subsequently a small school would be initiated if families joined the traders.

In the same way, the Tua Pek Kong Temple of Marudi made way for the first Chinese school in Marudi to be set up.

The Chung Hua School of Marudi was first established in 1926 although the Chinese traders had landed in Claude Town even before 1901. The Baram was ceded to the Brooke Government in  1882/3 by the Sultan of Brunei.

By 1926 there was already a Tua Pek Kong temple and many bazaar shops. At first the Marudi Chung Hua operated in the premises of the Tua Pek Kong temple. Later it had its own grand belian building.

 

the primary school was first opened its doors to pupils in 1926. The four men who conceptualized the founding of the school were Lim Ching Kiat , Chai Shu Ling, Chng Ting Seng, and Sim Tao Kim.

At first the classes used the back of the Tua Pek Kong Temple and the first Headmaster was GOH JING CHEW who had only 15 students. In 1936, the first wooden building on a hill , was completed. Due to wear and tear, the wooden building was demolished and in 1973, a new building was erected.

The Opening ceremony in 1973 was graced by the Minister of Local Government, YB Sim Kheng Hong on 4.11.1973.