The chairman of the temple’s trustees, Chan Kwai Hoong, 67, says he hopes this Chinese New Year would not be the last to be observed at the historic Taoist temple.
“The whole community is worried about this. We hope there are no political reasons for the notice, and that it’s just about safety and licensing,” he said.
“We welcome the government to come and do an inspection over the next few weeks. The conditions are very safe and we hope the government can issue a title or a 60-year grant, or better yet gazette it (as a heritage site),” he added.
Chan Beng Fei, 26, agreed, and said the temple holds a special place in the hearts of the many devotees who visit regularly.
“What’s special about this temple is that there’s more ‘huang’ (inviting wealth). If you are praying for good wealth, it’s more auspicious and your wishes are answered,” he said.
“There is some worry (about this being the temple’s last Chinese New Year). If I said I wasn’t worried, I’d be lying. I’ve been living around here for so long. It would be a pity if they suddenly asked the temple to move. I’m so used to this place.”
Nam Thean Tong, which was established in 1867, has undergone extensive renovations that have transformed a once small, wooden structure into an ornate and well-appointed temple for Taoists and Buddhists.
Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad has said the eviction notices were issued because unauthorised development had threatened the structural integrity of Nam Thean Tong and 13 other temples sited on government land and put public safety at risk.
However, in response to claims of structural issues at the temples, Kwai Hoong said: “We have never cut into the limestone. We’ve never touched it. We have tried to preserve it to be as natural as possible.
“We have spent over RM1 million to develop the temple, and 80% of that has been from public donations. We hope the government won’t just take it away from us.”
The vast cave temple spans over four levels, with the highest floors once reserved for the chief monks. In search of enlightenment, some would meditate for months at a time, only emerging briefly for food and water before returning to their quarters.
Ever since the eviction notices were issued in early January, giving the temples 30 days to vacate, the state government has set up a special committee to study the situation faced by the 14 temples in question.
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