Century-old temple in Chemor vandalised by youths

A photograph taken by Mah showing the lanterns which were thrown around by vandals.

TEMPLE caretaker Mah Yip Yow had a rude awakening when he received a telephone call informing him that Tokong China Chee Poh Chemor had been vandalised.

“I had a shock when a worker called to inform me that the temple’s Tua Pek Kong statue outside was smashed to pieces on Wednesday morning.

“Incense coils offered to the Goddess of Mercy to seek her blessings during the Kuan Yin Feast the day before were also destroyed, along with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, lanterns and fluorescent lamps,” he told The Star.

Mah said CCTV footage showed three teenagers armed with bamboo poles had showed up at the temple at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

“They were here for a good half-an-hour,” he said, adding that the attackers had also hurled bricks at a giant Buddha statue.

The incense coils which were destroyed by the vandals.

Noting that the temple committee had to spend over RM1,000 to replace the CCTV and the 100-over incense coils bearing the intentions of devotees following the attack, Mah said he believed the teenagers were up to mischief.

“I do not think there is any motive behind it.

“I don’t blame them or hold any grudges against them but I urge parents to educate their young to respect the property and religion of others.

“If we have offended anyone, I hope they can let us know.

“Come talk to us and work things out together,” he said.

Mah said as it was not possible to put up a gate at the temple, steps had been taken to install an alarm system to prevent such incidences from reoccurring.

Mah (right) showing the new incense coils, which had been put up to replace those destroyed by vandals to Perak MCA Youth new village development officer Jeremy Wong. - Photos by RONNIE CHIN

“I am also grateful to MCA and the office of Tambun MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah for their assistance following the incident,” he said.

The 113-year-old temple was set up by Chinese immigrants working in limestone quarries in Chemor.

“At the time, it was only a shack.

“Then in 1916, a proper temple building was put up while additions were made in 1970,” he said, adding that devotees came all the way from Johor, Singapore, Penang and Kedah to pray at the temple.