RM2.5mil needed to restore temple after devastating fire

Nature’s wonder: Phun (right) looking at bats at the temple at the foothill of Penang Hill, which was destroyed in a fire in March. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The restoration and rebuilding of the Bat Cave Temple at the foot of Penang Hill is expected to cost at least RM2.5mil.

The more than two-century-old temple, located at Jalan Pokok Ceri, was destroyed in an early morning fire on March 10.

Temple vice-chairman Phun Shou Seong, 65, said the reconstruction plan had just been completed and handed over to the contractor.

“They are having the tender process and the final reconstruction cost can only be determined after receiving the quotations.

“After knowing the actual cost, we will set up a committee to look into reconstruction and rebuilding matters. Then, a meeting will be held to discuss plans to raise more funds.

“The exchange rate of the ringgit has been weak recently, and the price of building materials has risen.

“Even if we try to source local building materials as much as possible, some building materials have to be purchased from China.

“Several statues including the Chinese God of Prosperity Tua Peh Kong, Guan Yin and Grand Duke (Tai Sui in Cantonese) were destroyed in the fire and they need to be purchased from China,” he said recently.

Phun said he’s hopeful reconstruction can start by year-end and would take at least 12 months to complete.

He said 90% of the temple was razed and only the eaves in front, the kitchen and the rock cave were left.

However, Phun said the temple was still open from 10am to 6pm and devotees could still come to pray.

Known as Bit Poh Tong among the locals, the temple was once home to thousands of bats.

Universiti Sains Malaysia zoologist Dr Lim Lee Sim said these were black-bearded tomb bats (Taphozous melanopogon) and previously, there were between 51 and 74 of these animals.

“When the fire broke out on March 10, there were only 29 bats left but we did not find any bat corpses.

“On March 14, we realised that the number of bats had increased to 40.

“March to May every year is the bats’ reproduction period.

“This year from the end of March until May, we recorded 12 to 13 pups born in the cave.

“They were all fit, successfully growing into subadults and a few had reached the adult stage,” she said.

Ayer Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said they have helped the temple since day one of the incident.

“The state government gave them financial aid in the rebuilding of the temple.

“The temple committee can also apply for the state government’s non-Islamic places of worship fund for restoration work if they fulfil the requirements,” he said.

On March 10, a blaze broke out at the temple in the wee hours of the morning.

In just 20 minutes, the entire building was up in flames.

The fire razed the building, leaving only its stone structures standing.

The 4,000sq ft temple used to house an imposing 2m-high statue of Tua Peh Kong.