SOME THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS OF FREEMASONRY IN PENANG, MALAYSIA – A WONDERFUL LIFE!
By W. Bro. Thomas Ernest Stark, PAg.PrG.Organist
The Royal Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1555 EC
I suppose my first impression was one of surprise at seeing the Brethren walking around in Dinner suits with an evening temperature of 83°F (30°C). The Masonic Hall, which is now air-conditioned, was consecrated on 15th November 1929, almost 2 years after laying the foundation stone. It stands in about 1 acre and the orientation is to true Masonic Order. The Temple floor is tiled in black and white marble as is usual in this country. The building is shared between Royal Prince of Wales Lodge No.1555 EC (founded 1875) and Lodge Scotia No.1003 SC. There is also Lodge Shamrock in Penang No. 938 IC.
In the early days, the ‘locals’ were disturbed to see shadowy figures dressed in black going into the building, and being very superstitious called it “Rumah Hantu” – Ghost House. Even now, there are some taxi drivers who refuse to enter the grounds after dark! This fear might have been reinforced as it became the Japanese headquarters during the occupation. Perhaps surprisingly, they left the building and contents in good condition: it was the ‘locals’ who later looted everything including the wiring!
Those brethren of Royal Prince of Wales Lodge who were interned in Changi prison, Singapore, managed to hold occasional clandestine meeting. The 1st Saturday of December 1942 was both interesting and exciting. The proceedings were disturbed by a genuine Alarm at the approach of the Japanese. As the meeting was being held in the library, the brethren were able to disguise its true purpose. After the ‘All Clear’ was given, Bro. J. R. Skipper was duly installed as W.M. and presented to each of his Officers a miniature replica of the appropriate badge of office ingeniously made from the scanty materials available in the camp. These Jewels are now preserved in the Grand Lodge museum.
Regular meetings of R.P.W. are held monthly, but there are Emergency Meetings in addition to reduce candidate’s waiting time. These meetings are invariably 1st Degree and are usually double ceremonies. The custom of R.P.W. Lodge is to open in all three degrees, immediately followed by long closings. If the ceremony is of a higher degree, the lodge is resumed in the 1st for the conduct of lodge business. Attendance is usually 35 – 40.
Dining is normally semi – formal with only 3 Formal toasts. Except for the Master, I.P.M. and candidate (s), one sits wherever a seat is available having helped oneself from the buffet (Malay or Indian). Sometimes round tables are set (10 at each) for a Chinese meal or steamboat. These meals are normally sponsored by a particular group: e.g. Master & Wardens, Past Masters, Chinese, Christians, Indians, EA’s & FC’s. Thus one will pay perhaps twice in a year, and the rest of the time dine for free. After the Tyler’s Toast, fellowship continues; a birthday cake is produced and those brethren whose birthday falls in that month gather round to blow out the candles.
When there is a visitation, also at Installation, the large dining hall is used and full formality observed. Western food is served. Each member is charged about £5 equivalent which includes a free bar. Any shortfall (perhaps due to extra guests) is later collected either from members or Lodge Funds. It has become customary for the Installed Master to give a present to everyone at the banquet. In recent times these have been; Key ring with engraved Masonic symbol, Engraved pen in presentation box, Enameled lapel badge, Pair of enameled cuff-links also bearing the Lodge emblem. For the benefit of visitors, we wear clip-on name tags about 4" long.
There is a resident caretaker/steward whose primary task is to see that the brethrens glasses are charged. He is also responsible for the cleaning and security of the building (his apartment is attached) and seeing that the Temple is furnished.
A committee meeting is held monthly and ALL masons are welcome. This is good because the EA’s and FC’s are encouraged to become involved in the well ruling of the lodge. During these meetings, which can be quite lengthy, the caretaker attends to his primary task (tea and coffee are also available) and also places plates of snacks e.g. samosas, curry puffs etc. on the table. At a recent meeting, I counted 7 Chinese, 7 Indian and 3 English. Interviews if any, take place before a committee meeting, and normally comprise the W.M., Secretary and 3 or 4 senior brethren. We ask all the usual questions. It is normal to tell the interviewee that he will be initiated either the following month or the one after, although in one case he was told he would be initiated the following week and MUST get a Tuxedo. He was advised where he could get one made quickly and cheaply. It is a tradition, though NOT a requirement that a candidate bring a bottle of whisky on the day of his initiation. It is also a tradition that if a member’s son or daughter is getting married, we all attend the reception wearing Evening Dress.
The lodge building is treated as a social club and many members attend every Wednesday. One can help oneself to tea or coffee. (when this is all used, bring some next time) . Soft drinks are ‘on the house’, beer is paid for pro-rata, when the whisky bottle is empty, a glass is passed round and those involved contribute RM10 (about £1.60) each to buy another bottle from the store. Someone, usually but not always the WM brings some “nibbles” to put on the bar. Towards the end of the evening (11pm?) especially after committee, those who want supper (usually about 12 or so) state their preference (noodles, fried rice, chicken etc.) and the steward is sent to fetch it. The cost is about 50p each!.
The area is presided over by the District Grand Master, Eastern Archipelago E.C. includes the thirteen States of Malaysia two of which are in Borneo plus Singapore to the south, and Thailand to the north. Because of the distances involved, he is supported by a Deputy District Grand Master and two Assistant District Grand Masters all of whom are easy to chat with.
District is normally represented at the Installation ceremonies of all the E.C. Lodges, while the half-yearly and Annual Communications are spread as evenly as possible. The Annual Communication in Dec. 2007 was held at Sandakan which is in Sabah State in NE Borneo and four of us attended. This involved a 40 min. flight to Kuala Lumpur followed by 2½ hours flight to Sandakan. It could be that the passengers on this flight were 100% masons including the DGM EC and DGM SC. Due to delays, the flight landed at the time the Golden Jubilee Banquet of the host lodge was due to begin. They delayed it a further hour before collecting us (now formally dressed) from the hotel. The half – yearly in June will be held at Langkawi, an island near the Thai border, and the next Annual is to be held in Singapore.
Visiting other Lodges of any constitution is welcomed, indeed encouraged and it is both instructive and informative. The usual routine is for the Secretary to ask who wishes to attend a particular Lodge on a particular date. After a show of hands, the Secretary informs the host lodge of the number of visitors (usually 5 or 6). Some examples : In SC and IC Lodges, the apron is sensibly worn under the jacket. At an Initiation (SC) the first thing the candidates saw was the VSL; the second was all the Brethren (including visitors) in a circle around him and all pointing at him-some with drawn swords. In some Lodges, the brethren say “We depend on YOU”.
At one Installation that I attended, the Installed Master personally conducted his Wardens and ‘placed’ them in their chairs. On that occasion, there were snacks and drinks before the visitors were received – we sat down at the festive board about 10 pm and rose about 11.45 at which point it was announced that “supper is now being served in the bar”. We then had a 2½ hour drive home (think Portsmouth to Weymouth).
On two occasions our Temple was ‘taken over’ – it was slightly strange to be received as a visitor in my own Temple. In the first case, Songkla Lodge No.936 IC, who normally meet in Hatyai, Thailand, decided to hold their Installation meeting in Penang as there had been a bomb explosion near their meeting place the previous week. A procession bearing the Warrant, the Book of Constitutions, the VSL and the Master Elect supported by two Brethren went thrice round the Lodge while the Brethren sang the Installation Anthem. A further Anthem was sung to end the Inner Workings. Fortunately, the words were printed in the summons.
On the other occasion, the Lodge St. David (Hong Kong) who hold (I believe rare) Traveling Warrant, performed an Initiation at our Temple. Two items of note:
(1) They, including the Candidate, were all residents of Hong Kong or Kowloon and had flown to Penang for a regular meeting, and
(2) The principle and assistant officers wore white tie and tails!
I was later told that they have held regular meetings in various parts of the world including U.K.
In two lodges that I know of, the IG ‘sees’ that the Lodge is properly tiled by opening the door and looking both ways. In another, to “see that none but Masons are present”, every person in the room had to individually whisper the password – this took some time.
As in any lodge, there are some members who cannot properly learn the ritual in the time available to them: others appear to have no difficulty. For example, three successive Masters had a problem as pressure of work left them very little free time. The open book on the pedestal was considered a better alternative to continuous prompting. When one started reading from his laptop, he was advised that this was not acceptable. On the other hand, we have a FC who is completely fluent in the long explanation of the 2nd degree tracing board: a further two share the 3rd degree lecture without any prompting whatsoever. The explanations of the 2nd and 3rd degree aprons were completely unknown to the brethren here: I now deliver these at the appropriate meetings in addition to my duties as Organist.
I cannot attempt to summarize, as Freemasonry, like life itself, is a continuous growing and learning process. I do hope, however, that I have not given the impression that we are an intemperate lot – having water, tea, coffee soft drink or alcohol quietly served during a committee meeting seems to me rather civilized. I cannot comment on other lodges, but suspect that many enjoy a similar fellowship.
Importantly, there is an openness which I never found in UK. For example, when Lodge Scotia 1003 SC celebrated their centenary banners were not only hung on the building to advertise the fact, but also in the street outside (about 12' X 3' or more). About a year ago, I was hailed in the street “Hello worshipful brother” by a recent initiate. Only a few days ago, I was similarly approached in a restaurant by a senior brother from a lodge that I had visited. No guilty whispering here! – It’s a Wonderful Life. Further details concerning the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge No.1555 EC may be found on www.rpwlodge.com.
Fraternal greetings to all!
