Temples and shrines demolished in ‘Mazu Island’

He said the blueprint would show the state government’s policy direction on the all-important public issue.

GEORGE TOWN: Parts of a Chinese and a Hindu shrines were demolished in Pulau Jerejak, here, on Christmas eve and the state Gerakan wants answers as to who ordered the demolition exercise, which was carried out by the state Land office.

The shrines which were demolished were pre-independence heritage buildings, said Penang Gerakan seceretary Oh Tong Keong who now wanted the Pakatan Rakyat led state government to produce and implement a comprehensive blueprint on preservation and conservation of heritage in the state.

He said the blueprint would show the state government’s policy direction on the all-important public issue.

“The Pakatan government should walk its talk on heritage.

“It should not be talk hero but work zero,” Oh told newsmen after visiting the demolition site in Pulau Jerejak today.

Also present were state Gerakan committee member Tan Kah Leong and the Chinese Mazu temple priest Wang Teng Kok.

A group of newsmen were taken for a tour by the Gerakan to visit the demolition site.

Structures of the Mazu Chinese temple and toilet, eating and cooking facilities and amenities of Pulau Jerejak Muneeswarar Alayam were all found to be demolished.

A statue of Goddess of Sea, or Mazu in Chinese, was also dismantled.

However, the Hindu temple main prayer altar area was untouched.

According to a local resident, the Hindu temple had existed since Pulau Jerejak was a leper colony in early 20th century.

According to Wang, the three hour demolition started at 11am on Dec 24.

He said he received a call from a land officer, Hilmi Sazlin Azny, at 9am on that day.

He was told to come to the temple site within two hours to remove all religious items which were stored in the makeshift temple.

Wang said when questioned, he was told by the land officer that the demolition was being carried out by the order of “somebody higher up.”

“We were not given any demolition notice. The temple structures were demolished on an order. We were not told from whom,” said Wang.

He also expressed disappointment with the state government for handling of the demolition.

“The damaged historical sites are of no different than a battlefield.

“Is the state government capable of clearing the mess?” asked Oh.

He noted that people had come to know that numerous century-old buildings were demolished and severely damaged after watching television reports on it last night.

He said these damages could be prevented if the state government had taken measures to protect the historical buildings.

“Who should be responsible for the damage?” asked Oh.

He urged the state to take stern punitive action against those involved in damaging the historic buildings and explain to the people of Penang on how demolished historic buildings would be restored.

“If the state government can’t even protect the leprosarium built in 1930, would the state government capable of maintaining the Georgetown World Heritage status?

“This is the biggest question today among concerned Penang citizens,” he said.