GEORGE TOWN (June 29, 2009) : Sungai Puyu state assemblyman and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh has accepted Penang state deputy MCA chairman Eng Hiap Boon’s challenge to give an explanation on the demolition of a Tua Pek Kong temple in his constituency.

Phee Boon Poh

"He only needs to name the time and date and I will meet him at the site of the temple to explain to him the real events behind this issue," Phee said.

Eng had a few days ago accused the state government of not keeping its promise of protecting all places of worship by tearing down the 18-year-old Kim San Tua Pek Kong Temple in Seberang Perai recently.

He had challenged Phee, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng to meet him to explain why the temple was demolished.

In response to that, Phee said he is willing to meet with Eng at the temple site and to show Eng that "he needs to know the difference between legal and illegal."

"The original Kim San Tua Pek Kong Temple was built on private land in the early 1990s and when the land owner wanted to develop the land, the temple was given compensation and told to relocate," he explained.

The temple committee had then asked to build its temple structure at a piece of government land which is a playground near a residential area and they started construction of the framework in May this year.

However, there were objections from residents in the area over its construction.