‘Deity a protective presence’

Peaceful place: People spending their leisure time at the Armenian Street Park in George Town, Penang.

THE shrine of a ‘Datuk Kong’ at the newly refurbished Armenian Street Park has sparked a heated debate among politicians at the state assembly.

But residents have no qualms about its presence, saying that the deity had been protecting them from evil spirits for more than 70 years.

The shrine now sits at a corner of the park. There was also a photo of a Hindu deity inside it when The Star paid a visit to the park yesterday.

Businessman Ong Chor Seang, 50, said the deity had been there even before he was born.

A devotee praying at the shrine which is in a corner at the park. — Gary Chen/The Star

“Elderly folk used to tell us that the deity was built to chase away the evil spirits in the area.

“After the shrine was built, there was no disturbances,” he said when met in Lebuh Armenian yesterday.

He said that the shrine was moved to the current spot when the park was undergoing renovation a year ago.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told reporters on the sidelines of the state assembly that the state had yet to receive a letter of objection on the shrine.

“Datuk Jahara Hamid said she wanted to send us an objection letter.

“The shrine’s heritage value should be appreciated as it has been in Armenian Street since World War II over 70 years ago.

“When the park was upgraded, it was left aside. This is a collaboration between the government and Think City.

“There has never been any complaint as the shrine has been a part of the park for years.”

Visitors playing a game at Armenian Street Park, Penang.