Free food for all: Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze (centre) distributing free food packs to the public, prepared by volunteers at Tow Boo Keong Temple in Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: Free vegetarian food is being offered at some Nine Emperor Gods temples here for those who cannot afford to pay the festive premium prices, which can cost as much as RM20 a plate.
Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze said there are two temples in her constituency that are giving out free vegetarian meals during the nine-day festival.“Devotees who observe a vegetarian diet can get free food from the temples instead of buying from stalls in the locality.
“The free meals are given out to devotees regardless of their status or background.
“Those who collect the packed meals can opt to pay a token sum if they wish to.
“It is a wonderful initiative to ensure that everyone can take part in the festivities,” she said.
At the Tow Boo Kong temple off Jalan Raja Uda in Butterworth, free vegetarian food is served twice a day, for lunch and dinner.
Temple chairman Datuk Khor Wan Tat said there are two distribution sessions: 11.30am to 1pm and 5.30pm to 7pm daily throughout the festival.
“We invite the general public to come for the food that five chefs and more than 30 volunteers have prepared.
“There are usually three dishes and rice.
“For each session, there will be enough food for about 2,000 people.
“We expect the number to increase nearing the end of the festival,” he said.
Khor said the food is entirely funded by devotees, either in cash or rations.
“Some donate vegetables and this has been an ongoing practice for decades,” said Khor.
It was reported that devotees observing a strict nine-day vegetarian diet in conjunction with the Nine Emperor Gods festival will have to pay more for the food this year.
Food sellers said they have to raise prices due to the rising cost of ingredients and that workers need to be paid more due to rising living costs.
A news portal had reported that a Penangite was infuriated when he was charged RM81 for about five vegetarian food items at stalls near a Nine Emperor Gods temple, sparking a debate about whether vegetarian vendors are profiteering during the festival.
The Taoists’ festival honours the nine sons of Tou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star and custodian of the Books of Life and Death.
Her sons, deified as ren huang (human sovereigns), are said to have the ability to cure illnesses and bless devotees with luck, wealth and longevity.
Devotees believe the gods come through the waterway and processions are usually held from the temples to the river or seashore as a symbolic gesture.
The festival ends on Oct 23 this year.
