Where Did Datuk Kong Come From?

Associate Prof Dr Tan Ai Boay, Head (Malaysian Chinese and Cultural Studies Unit), UTAR

05-Feb-25 19:00

Pause
Embed

How often have you noticed a red shrine, tucked away under a tree or perhaps at the back of a shop, with offerings laid out in front of it? That’s one form of a Datuk Kong shrine that can be found across Malaysia, and on today’s episode we’ll be exploring this unique practice, its origins, and how it reflects the melting pot that is Malaysia with Assoc Prof Dr Tan Ai Boay, Head of the Malaysian Chinese and Cultural Studies Unit at UTAR.

Image Credit: shutterstock.com

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lim Sue Ann

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories: culture, History/Heritage

Tags: datuk kong, chinese cultural studies, na tu kong, chinese spirituality, made in malaysia,

Today’s Shows

6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Pramod Anthe, Head of Institutional Equity Research at InCred Capital, discusses outlook of India's equities in 2026.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Independent Business Writer P. Gunasegaram weighs in on the High Court’s decision rejecting former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s bid for house arrest.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

We revisit conversations on the Breakfast Grille in the past year about global trade and tariffs.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) gives us an outlook for the sector in 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Independent Business Writer P. Gunasegaram weighs in on the High Court’s decision rejecting former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s bid for house arrest.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Pramod Anthe, Head of Institutional Equity Research at InCred Capital, discusses outlook of India's equities in 2026.

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

We replay the 18th November episode on boosting Malaysia’s climate and disaster resilience with Avtandil Mekudishvili of PlanRadar.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

We revisit conversations on the Breakfast Grille in the past year about global trade and tariffs

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

In this Best of 2025 replay, we revisit a conversation with Professor Edmund Terence Gomez on corruption and Malaysia’s political–GLC complex.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

In this ‘Best of 2025’ replay, we speak to mental health advocates about how stigma continues to persist in our society.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

PROGRAMMES