Statue of St Anne at the chapel in Kuala Sangga, Perak. Photo: Ben Lopez
Nestled in a small fishing village along the estuary of Sungai Sepetang in Perak, about a 30-minute boat ride away, lies a symbol of religious tolerance that is increasingly rare in Malaysia today. The century-old St Anne’s Chapel, though located in a Chinese Buddhist village, stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of faiths.
What makes this chapel remarkable is that there isn't a single Christian among the residents of this Teochew community, yet it is lovingly maintained by the village’s Buddhist population. The approximately 100 residents, all devotees of the local Chinese temple, take great pride in preserving this Catholic chapel.
