During the 1980s, Lodge Brunei No. 1545 SC, together with the English Lodge, Berakas Lodge No. 8560 EC, Brunei all went into darkness and in the 1990s, Lodge Sarawak No. 1452 SC in Kuching was encouraged by the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East to consecrate a new Lodge in Miri to cater for the needs of brethren who lived and worked in Brunei and northern Sarawak to continue their Masonic journey. 

After many discussions, a petition was made to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a Charter to form this new Lodge in Miri to be called “Lodge Mulu” under the sponsorship of Lodge Sarawak No.1452 SC and seconded by Lodge Kilwinning in the East No. 1606 SC. We were not encouraged by the fact that when advertisement was placed in the local press in Brunei and Miri for any brethren to come forward, we received no response. However, the manager in the then Holiday Inn in Miri was a brother, and we thought of using the hotel as our meeting place. 

Many meetings with the brethren of Lodge Sarawak and the District were held over the years, and we finally received the Charter from Grand Lodge of Scotland in 2001. Lodge Mulu was consecrated on Friday 26th October 2001 during the historical occasion of “5 in 1” celebrations of Lodge Sarawak No. 1452 SC for their 50th Anniversary of Lodge Sarawak, with Laying the Foundation stone for the new Lodge Sarawak Masonic Hall, the 25th Anniversary of Sarawak Royal Arch Chapter No. 837 SC, Annual Communication of the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East and the Annual Convocation of The District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Middle East and the consecration of Lodge Mulu No. 1821 SC. 

The Consecration of Lodge Mulu No. 1821 SC. was presided by the then late District Grand Master, Bro. David Lai Kim Hean assisted by his District Grand Office Bearers. Bro JC Fong was installed as the Founding Master of the Lodge, there were 73 founding members, most of them attended the meeting. Bros. Kang Tee Yong and Julian Wee were nominated as W. Depute and W. Substitute Masters respectively. While Bros. William Chew and John Ko were installed as WSW and WJW supported by Bro. Neoh Ho Kiat as Director of Ceremonies and with Bros. Sim Hui Chuang and Chin Chee Kong as Secretary and Treasurer. The Mulu logo was designed by Bro. Kang’s daughter Karen Kang. 

The Consecration meeting of Lodge Mulu was also the only meeting, as far as I can ascertain attended by every ruling RWM of the daughter Lodges under the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East, from: Lodge Scotia No. 1003 SC to Lodge Pattaya West Wind No. 1803 SC. We also had in attendance the District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Archipelago, the District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong and the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, the Grand lnspector of the lnspectorate of Southeast Asia, MW Grand Lodge of lreland was also present. Quite a gathering of VlPs and distinguished brethren from the three Constitutions. 

Lodge Mulu uses the Modern Ritual as Lodge Sarawak uses the Standard Ritual. It meets four times a year in March, June, September and December. The September meeting is our lnstallation meeting. 

Lodge Mulu was formerly a branch of the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East until 14th January 2019 when it registered itself with the Registry of Societies, Malaysia as a standalone entity but still under the auspices of the District Grand Lodge of the Middle East under the name: “Mulu Lodge No. 1821 SC” as approved by the Registry of Societies.

For the first few years, Lodge Mulu meetings were held in Kuching, our first working was to raise Bro Abel Chieng as a favour to Lodge Sarawak, and our first Miri initiate was Bro Edward Liong who was also the first initiate to be installed as RWM of Lodge Mulu. As we began to initiate more Miri brethren, we moved our meetings to Miri around 2005 when we first met at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club. We were very fortunate that the management was very kind to us in allowing a space for us to keep out regalia and Lodge furniture in between the quarterly meetings. 

Our brethren from Kuching have been very supportive and a fair number of them will fly to Miri for the regular quarterly meetings to enjoy the great fellowship and hospitality of our Miri and Brunei brethren. Even though Miri is remote, lnstallation meetings were usually well attended by the District Deputations and brethren from sister Lodges from West Malaysia and Singapore. Mulu Lodge still needs a lot of support as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary next year in 2026 particularly from the brethren living in Kuching, we are actively trying to get brethren living in Miri, Bintulu and Brunei to join, these brethren will. ensure the future success of Mulu Lodge No. 1821 SC. 

Bro. Kang Tee Yong 26 April 2025