Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Malacca which was established in the year 1673, has been standing for more than 343 years. It is one of the famous local temple at Malacca. During Dutch colonial period, the Chinese Kapitan Zheng Qiji had attached the government office in the temple inorder to facilitate the command of the local Chinese. Since then, all the Chinese communities concerned were submitted to the offices in the temple. The move potentially made the temple opened as "political and religious complex" precedent, made its impact forces throughout the Chinese community, and also an activity hub for the local Chinese community. Even after the British colonial was abolished the "Kapitan system", the Chinese community recommended "Tingzhu" and "Si Dali" to replace it, they continued to lead and deal with the Chinese community affairs. It cannot seem to its position in local society. As late as 1949 by the Federation of Malaya Legislative "The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Incorporation Ordinance 1949 ", the limitation access of "Si Dali" as a leader of Chinese community began step down and let the temple return as a religious venue. Will Cheng Hoon Teng temple remain its religious advocacy power and social status after losing its political role of attachement? Will other Buddhist, Taoism, Confucianism temple buildings in the outskirts of Malacca pose a threat to their social function? Therefore, this article intends to explore the past and the present of the temple in the form of worshipers structure through fieldwork and secondary literature and to analyse the changes and trends of Cheng Hoon Teng.
