Cover image via Guangming Daily
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A Sikh family that adopted and cared for a Chinese Malaysian for over 80 years, spanning four generations, held a funeral for him after facing difficulties obtaining his complete identification details
According to Guangming Daily, the octogenarian, fondly known as Ah Cheng by his adoptive Sikh family, passed away on 6 May.
However, due to incomplete identification records, the family initially faced difficulties claiming his body from the hospital.
The matter was only resolved after several Chinese news outlets highlighted their situation, which drew the attention of his biological next of kin, who came forward to sign the necessary documents before the funeral could proceed.
With assistance from community members, relatives, and members of the adoptive family, Ah Cheng's funeral arrangements were eventually completed, allowing him to be laid to rest.
Despite their different religions, Ah Cheng was given a Taoist funeral, with the Sikh family participating in the Taoist rites and offering incense
Photos published by Guangming Daily showed a Taoist priest leading the funeral prayers, while members of the adoptive family were dressed in white to signify their familial ties to Ah Cheng.
It is understood that Ah Cheng had a mild intellectual disability from a young age. He was allegedly abandoned by his family and later found in a cowshed before being taken in by a Sikh cattle owner.
After the cattle owner passed away, his granddaughter, Lankor, continued caring for Ah Cheng even after getting married.
Lankor said he had lived with the family across four generations — from her great-grandfather's time to her grandparents', her father's, and her own generation, reported Oriental Daily. Even Lankor's children also helped care for him whenever possible.
She recounted that in the early years, her great-grandfather, who lived in Penang, had seen Ah Cheng wandering in a market
After her great-grandfather adopted him, her grandfather continued caring for him. The family later moved to Taiping with Ah Cheng after her grandfather married her grandmother.
She said her grandfather treated Ah Cheng like a family member and took care of his daily needs, while Ah Cheng also diligently helped him with cattle herding.
However, after her grandfather passed away, her father ended the cattle-rearing business and moved to Aulong, a suburb in Taiping.
She added that after she got married, Ah Cheng lived with her grandmother's family. Later, when her grandmother's family relocated to Ipoh, Ah Cheng did not want to leave Taiping, so she eventually brought him to live with her husband's family.
Lankor said that although Ah Cheng was not biologically related to them, the family has always regarded him as one of their own.
"We had lived with him for four generations and had a very deep bond with him. Although he was a bit slow, he never caused trouble, and we had taken care of him until he was old."
Since his birth date could not be confirmed, the Sikh family designated 31 August, National Day, as Ah Cheng's birthday and celebrated it annually.
Lankor revealed that five of Ah Cheng's biological relatives came to pay their respects and informed the family that his surname was Huang (transliteration)
"We didn't know his surname before, we just called him Ah Cheng.
"We are very grateful for their presence, which allowed Ah Cheng to have a peaceful journey in the end," Lankor told Guang Ming Daily.
