automotive

Better EV Uses

We’ve covered electric vehicles (EVs) before and I’ve been a bit critical about them, nevertheless I still believe they have a place on our roads in the future. Considering our terrain and infrastructure at the moment, plus the need for further innovation of EVs, I don’t think many of the popular EVs today are suitable for all Sabahan car owners today. However, when the infrastructure catches up, here are a few EVs that might be the norm roaming our streets.

First of all, the compact EVs are perfect for navigating our cities, urban, and even suburban roads. EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, Honda E, or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer amazing range, stylish design (especially the Ioniq and E), and are small enough to navigate the tight city spaces. What they’re not great at, and this goes for all EVs, is going on long journeys across Sabah. Yes, their stated range might seem sufficient for a trip from Penampang to Keningau and back, but the winding mountain roads will take up a lot of power through your journey.

SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and pickup trucks are currently the rage these days. We see a lot of gigantic diesel guzzling Ford Rangers, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu DMax on the road. That’s why I think if and when the Rivian R1T ever lands here, they’ll be really popular here. Not only does it have 600hp to 835hp (horsepower), but you have a lot of storage room for all the gear you want to have with you. It’s also great for off-roading, having air suspension that can lift it to a maximum of 15 inches of ground clearance. It’s definitely suited for the Sabahan roads.

These next few cars are what I think is either the small step to going fully EV, or it is the future. I’m talking about plug-in hybrids such as the new Toyota Prius and the Volvo XC60. Use the electric motors to navigate the city and the petrol engine for longer journeys. I hope you can see where I’m going with this. It’ll emit less carbon dioxide during your daily city commute, while giving you the opportunity to travel for holidays without worrying about the range. So, kind of a win-win in my opinion.

Even if I still have my reservations about EVs, I’m still looking forward to our infrastructure improving because I can’t wait for the Rivian to grace our roads. All jokes aside, cleaner emissions is the future we all deserve, and definitely the future of road travel.

by Noel Jinguli Image | Various Resources

The Temple Of The Three Saints

In Sandakan, there is a Sabah temple that remains standing after 130 years. Built in 1887, Sam Sing Kung Temple is the 3rd oldest Chinese temple in the district of Sandakan, Sabah.

Sam Sing Kung Temple is now a famous nature tourism destination and is one of the attractions along the Sandakan Heritage Trail. It is located at the edge of the town field at Singapore Road (Jalan Singapura), in the city centre of Sandakan.

The temple was built by the four Chinese communities, namely the Hakka, Cantonese, Hainanese and Teochew, mainly from the Guangdong Province of China. In the late 19th century, thousands of Chinese were admitted by British rulers to work as labourers, farmers, and merchants to develop Sabah. These Chinese immigrants also brought in their religions and established Sam Sing Kung as a religious centre in Sandakan.

Literally Sam Sing Kung means the Temple of the Three Saints, who are Lord Guan, Mazu, and Wenchang Emperor. The three saints are a great combination because they can answer prayers on prosperity, peace and protection, and health, which cover most wishes of their followers.

Sam Sing Kung is a Taoist temple that practices polytheism, which believes that there are multiple gods or deities, who are like the officers of heaven and underworld. About 20 deities are sitting in Sam Sing Kung. Taoism and Buddhism have been influencing each other for thousands of years in China, so you can even find altars of Buddha such as Guanyin in this temple.

Sam Sing Kung is truly a temple of memories and heritages. When you enter the main door, you would see the palanquin of Mazu, which is used in Chingay parade and is as old as the temple. Another interesting antique is a bronze chime bell donated by the first Kapitan Cina of Sandakan, Fung Ming Shan about 100 years ago. Kapitan is a leader officially appointed by British rulers to look after the local Chinese community.

When you’re at the temple, feel free to tour around or light up some incense sticks to worship the deities (if you are a believer). The staff there are accustomed to tourists and would share some stories with you. This temple seems like an ideal filming location for a mid-twentieth century drama due to its nostalgia vibe.

Don’t miss out on your chance to visit Sam Sing Kung when you travel to Sandakan. A truly interesting temple that is worth a visit.

Find out more at www.mysabah.com.

by mySabah.com Image | mySabah.com

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