THE 133-year-old Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple, which was badly damaged in a fire recently, will form a team of engineers to help in the restoration works.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who visited the temple today, said an expert engineer could assist them carry out the restoration works by making an application to Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) as soon as possible.
He said he believed that the temple committee has decided to carry out restoration works of the temple’s interior that was badly burnt on July 4.
Chow said the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) had submitted a report on the condition of the temple as instructed by the state government.
“As GTWHI has no expertise in structural issues such as the safety structures, the report recommended the temple committee to appoint expert engineers to assess the safety of the building,” Chow told a press conference after visiting the temple.
It was reported that some precious cultural relics in the temple, located in Jalan Pasar, Bukit Mertajam, perished in the fire.
Story by K. Thaarshenii
Pix by Alvie Cheng
Video by Chan Kok Kuan