Penang’s Kek Lok Si fire not major, temple closed for repairs

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has dispelled speculations that the famed hilltop Kek Lok Si Temple was badly damaged from a pre-dawn fire on Tuesday, clarifying that only one room was burnt.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said reports that 70% of the sprawling religious complex was damaged by the fire are untrue.

On the contrary, the blaze was fortunately just confined to a room, and nobody was hurt in the mishap.

He said this after inspecting the damage at the temple, which is popular among locals and a top attraction for tourists. 

The Buddhist complex is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, and features an iconic century-old pagoda and one of the largest statues of goddess Kuan Yin.

The incident occurred just as Penang reopened its tourism sector with as many as 50,000 visitors anticipated to come this weekend.

The temple will remain closed for now, pending the repairs and inspections, to ensure that the complex’s structure is sound.

Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said rats or stray cats could have caused the fire by knocking down candles which were lit on a pillar.

“The fire actually took place at one of the prayer rooms at the temple complex and the damage only affected a minor part of it," he said. 

Ooi said funds would be used for minor repair works at the damaged temple.

“The (burnt) partitions were made of hardwood and not cement. It will be difficult to replace those items. We will make minor repairs to ensure safety for the devotees and visitors,” said Ooi.

Chow was accompanied by Ooi, temple abbot Xian Guan, and state executive councillor for tourism and creative economy Yeoh Soon Hin.

Also present were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and DAP Wanita head Chong Eng.

The Vibes reported that the Fire and Rescue Department faced difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to the location of the temple on a hill in Air Itam.

“Our machinery has a height of up to 5m, but the gate at the temple is only 4m high,” Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Shakir Abdullah said.

“So, we had to put the machinery aside and walk up to 600m to get to the scene. Apart from that, we also faced difficulties obtaining water sources.” – The Vibes, October 14, 2021