5 Taoist temples nominated to join pilot scheme for higher worship service limit

Thian Hock Keng Temple in Telok Ayer Street is one of the five temples nominated by the Taoist Federation to join a pilot scheme that allows for a higher attendance limit for congregational and other worship services. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Thian Hock Keng Temple in Telok Ayer Street is one of the five temples nominated by the Taoist Federation to join a pilot scheme that allows for a higher attendance limit for congregational and other worship services. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

The Taoist Federation has nominated five temples to join a pilot programme that allows for an increase in the attendance limit for congregational and other worship services in places of worship.

If accepted, the temples will be allowed to host up to 100 people at any one time, double the current limit of 50.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday, the federation said it would submit the names of the five temples to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) for its approval to join the programme.

The five are Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple in MacPherson, Loyang Tua Pek Gong in Loyang Way, San Qing Gong in Bedok North Avenue 4, Jin Fu Gong Temple in Jurong West Street 92, and Thian Hock Keng Temple in Telok Ayer Street.

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said yesterday that it has identified two churches that are ready to participate in the programme, but did not name the churches.

Mr Tan Thiam Lye, the Taoist Federation's chairman, told The Straits Times yesterday that the five temples were chosen based on their popularity and location. The temples would increase the number of worshippers as soon as approval from MCCY is granted, he added.

The federation said more temples can approach it to join the programme, but their applications would be subject to MCCY's approval.

The announcement came after the federation said on Tuesday that it was disappointed that none of its temples were chosen in the programme's initial group of 12 places of worship.

The 12, announced on Monday, comprise mosques, Hindu temples, churches, a Buddhist temple and a Sikh gurdwara. From today, they will be allowed to accommodate up to 100 people at any one time for congregational and other worship services.

An MCCY spokesman said on Wednesday that the 12 religious organisations announced earlier were chosen after consulting faith leaders and that they reflect the religious diversity in Singapore.

The ministry added that religious leaders, who are also members of the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony, were consulted before the list of 12 was drawn up.

Members of the committee include the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, Hindu Advisory Board, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, the National Council of Churches Singapore, the Sikh Advisory Board and the Taoist Federation.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 07, 2020, with the headline 5 Taoist temples nominated to join pilot scheme for higher worship service limit. Subscribe