BN Wants To Help

Tan Sri Shahrir  with Koh (left)  and Cheah (right)

JOHOR BARU: A Taoist temple belonging to Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Guan Sheng Tan fears it may face the same predicament that befell the Wong Ah Fook mansion.

The temple in Jalan Lumba Kuda is an extension of the mansion and was untouched during its demolition. It now stands among the ruins.

The temple's committee members hope the state government would step in to save it from facing a similar fate.

Temple chairman Koh Kim Poh told the New Straits Times he had received a call on Wednesday from a man claiming to be a representative of the Wong Ah Fook mansion owner, telling him to leave the premises by the end of the month.

"Temple devotees will celebrate the birthday of its deity, Guan Kong, on July 20. We will not be able to hold the celebration if we do not have a site."

The temple was built 14 years ago without a permit.

Seven committee members turned up at the office of Johor Baru member of parliament Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad yesterday.

Shahrir urged the mansion owner to discuss the matter with him before deciding on the next course of action.

"The owner or his representative can see me or the Johor Baru MCA Public Complaints bureau chairman John Cheah on this matter.

"It is best that all parties meet before another mistake occurs. The owner committed the first mistake when he demolished a soon-to-be declared heritage mansion without submitting any building plans to the local council.

"He then made a second mistake by demolishing it without getting a permit from the Johor Baru City Council. The temple committee members seem adamant not to vacate the premises. So, I hope the owner will not commit another mistake."

The mansion was was demolished on April 30.

Read more: Wong Ah Fook mansion's temple may meet same fate - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/wong-ah-fook-mansion-s-temple-may-meet-same-fate-1.593901#ixzz31SFMZ8tM