Penang Watch

Snakes Temple without snakes-that sums up the dilemma of Penang's dated tourism offers for decades now. So tinkering with the architecture will only go so far to improve the snakeless temple. The rot started when the state government allowed the B Brown factory to be built between the snake temple and the hill where the snake come from. That was many decades ago-but the damage is permanent. No amount of rebuilding of th temple can help. Lesson: don't break something when you can't improve it. The damage can be ireversible!

Saturday November 10, 2007(Star)

Restoring temple to its former glory

By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG

Progress report: Wong (second right) discussing the conservation project with consultant Tan Yeow Wooi (right) at the temple. With them is Hokkien Kongsi and temple trustee chairman Khoo Kah Seng (left).
RENOVATIONS carried out 27 years ago on the Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas, Penang, were incongruous with the design and building materials of the 127-year-old temple, said Deputy Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong.

He said that although the temple trustees had good intentions when they last carried out expansion and repair works in 1980, they were done without heritage value.

“The previous renovations did not place priority on the correct aspect of the building's structure, history, and usage of construction materials. For example, the old floor tiles of the main temple building were dug up and thrown away.

“Today, work is being carried out to restore the Snake Temple to its former glory, and the trustees also plan to put up an arch at the entrance to welcome visitors,” said Wong, adding that floor tiles were being imported from China that were similar to the original ones used for the temple.

He said the snake temple, the only one in the country, is full of history and heritage value, and that it has attracted many tourists every year.

Wong was speaking during a visit to the temple to monitor and get a better understanding of the current restoration and renovation works that were being carried out.

He said the restoration works on the 1.82ha temple complex, costing RM2.5mil, would be carried out in three phases over two years.

Work on the main temple building under Phase I started on April 10 and is due for completion by end of January next year.

He said Phase II involved work on the surrounding buildings in line with the original architectural style, and Phase III involved the landscaping of the garden behind the main temple building.  

Wong, who also gave RM150,000 from his allocation towards the temple's restoration works, appealed to the public to donate towards the cause.

Donations should be sent to Penang Hokkien Kongsi c/o Datuk Lim Cheng Chuan, honorary secretary, 57 Armenian Street, Penang.