Huge Arapaima gigas attracting stream of visitors to temple in Sungai Nibong

Some of the Bayan Baru MCA members trying to reach out for the dragon fish in the pond at the Hean Leng Kong Temple in Sungai Nibong, Penang. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

NEVER mind the Year of the Dog, Penangites will not forget the island’s favourite fishes.

The humongous Arapaima gigas of Hean Leng Kong Temple in Sungai Nibong is getting a steady stream of Chinese New Year homecoming visitors.

Among them recently were Bayan Baru MCA division chief Datuk Ooi Siew Kim and her committee members.

They arrived with a RM1,000 donation for the temple’s funds, boxes of mandarins and posters with the Chinese character ‘Fu’ (blessings).

“We want to share the festive joy with other temple devotees,” she said at the temple in Jalan Aziz Ibrahim on Wednesday night.

Ooi (centre) and her members showing the ‘fu’ character after presenting a cheque to the temple committee.

Ooi, who is also Penang MCA Wanita chief, said MCA is a party that promotes moderation.

“We need to respect people of all races and religions to live peacefully in this multiracial country,” she said.

Ooi and her team did not miss the chance to touch the giant fishes, which are a major attraction in the temple.

Although fearsome-looking, the fishes are quite tame and have grown accustomed to being touched by human hands.

They can grow up to 2m long and weigh more than 200kg.

Locally called dragon fish, they live in a pond beside the main Tua Pek Kong shrine.

Some believers claim that touching the fishes would change their luck and allowed them to strike a small fortune.