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Sarawak has reportedly taken the national record for Malaysia’s tallest Buddha statue with a giant Sakyamuni Buddha at Buddhism New Village in Bau. Standing approximately 40 to 43 metres tall, the monument surpasses the 39-metre Standing Buddha in Bachok, Kelantan. Construction began in 2023 and was completed in March 2025.

Malaysia’s Tallest Buddha Record Has Crossed Over To Borneo

For years, anyone looking for Malaysia’s tallest Buddha statue would have been pointed towards Bachok, Kelantan. The Standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham rises 39 metres and previously held the national record. That title has now reportedly moved across the South China Sea to Bau, Sarawak, where a giant Sakyamuni Buddha at Buddhism New Village stands at approximately 40 to 43 metres. The new monument was developed under the leadership of the Kuching Buddhist Society, with structural planning beginning in mid-2023 before construction was completed in March 2025. Even at the lower reported measurement of around 40 metres, it would still edge past the former Kelantan record holder.

Its Inspiration Came From Statues That No Longer Exist

The size alone makes the Bau statue impressive, but there is another interesting story behind its design. According to The Rakyat Post, the Sakyamuni Buddha was inspired by the Buddhas of Bamiyan, two enormous statues that once stood carved into cliffs in Afghanistan. The ancient monuments were destroyed in 2001, but their distinctive scale and appearance continue to influence Buddhist art elsewhere. Sarawak’s version now stands as the centrepiece of Buddhism New Village, surrounded by traditional Chinese architecture, pavilions and peaceful scenery. The site also features a nine-storey Lotus Sutra Pagoda, giving visitors considerably more to explore than the giant statue alone.

Kelantan Still Has Some Of Malaysia’s Other Giant Buddhas

Losing the tallest-statue title doesn’t exactly take Kelantan out of the picture. The state remains home to several of Malaysia’s notable Buddhist monuments, including the former record-holding 39-metre Standing Buddha in Bachok and a 30-metre Sitting Buddha at Wat Machimmaram in Tumpat. Another Tumpat landmark, the Reclining Buddha at Wat Phothivihan, stretches around 40 metres in length and is known for its enormous sleeping position rather than its height. Penang also has the 36.57-metre Guanyin statue at Kek Lok Si Temple. Sarawak’s new monument therefore joins a much wider collection of giant Buddhist landmarks across Malaysia, but when it comes specifically to height, Bau now reportedly has the one that stands above the rest.

Key Facts

What happened: A giant Sakyamuni Buddha in Sarawak is being reported as Malaysia’s tallest Buddha statue.

Where: Buddhism New Village in Bau, Sarawak.

How tall is it: Approximately 40 to 43 metres, or around 130 to 140 feet.

Who built it: The project was developed under the leadership of the Kuching Buddhist Society.

When was it completed: Construction began in mid-2023 and was completed in March 2025.

What held the previous record: The 39-metre Standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham in Bachok, Kelantan.

What inspired the Sarawak statue: The Buddhas of Bamiyan, the monumental Buddhist statues once carved into cliffs in Afghanistan.

Can people visit: Yes. Buddhism New Village is reported to be open daily from 8am to 4.30pm.

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Sources

Source report: The Rakyat Post
Published: 24 September 2026
Location: Buddhism New Village, Bau, Sarawak
Statue: Sakyamuni Buddha
Reported height: Approximately 40 to 43 metres (130 to 140 feet)
Organisation: Kuching Buddhist Society
Construction: Structural planning began in mid-2023; construction was completed in March 2025
Previous record holder: 39-metre Standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham, Bachok, Kelantan
Reported inspiration: Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan
Visitor hours: 8am to 4.30pm throughout the year. (⁠TRP)

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By – Tarziman — 04:49PM
An independent writer who enjoys finding interesting angles in everyday stories. He believes even the simplest moments can be worth sharing when they’re told in a clear, relaxed and easy-to-understand way.