“…Instead of conserving the cultural values of heritage temples, many temple committees have adopted inappropriate methods in repair and renovation works, resulting in the loss of authentic cultural meanings (Loke, 2012; The Straits Times, 2017). The spatial and social construct of the Chinese diaspora habitation is expressed through the interpretive “text” of architecture and built environment (Ng and Ng, 2018). When the “text” is drastically modified or replaced as in the inappropriate restoration and demolition of traditional temples, the expression of authentic Chinese cultural identity through architecture appears questionable.…”