The Federal Government has agreed to give RM1 million to the Kek Lok Si Temple, in Air Itam for its building fund.

The RM1 million cheque was handed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to the temple’s trustee, Datuk Steven Ooi, during the opening of the new RM40 million 20-storey octagonal pavilion covering the statute of Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) at the temple in Air Itam here.

Koh who is also the Gerakan president said he thank the temple committee for turning it into the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and Southeast Asia after 100 years of development.

“The temple is not only a thriving symbol of Buddhism, it is also a manifestation of the freedom of religion as stated in the Federal Constitution as well as a tourism attraction,” he said.

About 10,000 people, including 3,000 Buddhist delegates from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, attended the ceremony.

The three-tiered roof pavilion, supported by 16 granite pillars, serves as a shelter to the 30.2 metres tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin.

The opening of the pavilion coincides with the temple’s 118th anniversary as well as the 20th memorial ceremony for the temple’s fourth chief abbot, Venerable Bai Sheng.

Among those who present for the grand opening ceremony was Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

Kong, who was among the invited guests, described the temple as a landmark in Penang and a must-visit tourist spot.

“Its famous statue of Kuan Yin shows the rich culture of the country, and people irrespective of their religion come from all over the world to visit,” he said.

by Editorial Desk
gerakan4u.com