A MORE structured mechanism is needed to address land and structural issues involving non-Muslim places of worship in Selangor, says Sentosa assemblyman Gunaraj George.
“Development must continue, but at the same time, the interests of the community and religious heritage must also be respected.
“We must seek solutions to these issues.
“I hope that a more structured mechanism can continue to be strengthened so that issues involving places of worship can be resolved through discussions among the state government, local authorities, landowners, developers and management committees,” he said during a debate session at the Selangor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam Wednesday (Aug 12).
Gunaraj said some temples had existed for decades, built originally with the knowledge and permission of the landowners at the time to serve local communities.
“The communities living and working in these areas built their places of worship to practise their religion and observe their beliefs.
“But today, when these areas are developed into residential or commercial townships, the status of these temples is suddenly questioned and they are labelled as ‘illegal’,” he said.
He urged the authorities to evaluate the historical context and community before making decisions on relocation or demolition.
“Let us not merely talk about the problems but work together to find solutions.
“If there are land issues, let us discuss them. If there are planning issues, let us seek solutions from a planning perspective.
“If there are safety or structural issues, let us resolve them through the relevant agencies. Most importantly, let us not immediately pass judgement on communities and places of worship without considering their history and actual circumstances,” he said.
Gunaraj added that Selangor had the capacity to set a benchmark for other states by handling such sensitive matters in a mature and inclusive manner.
“We do not have to choose between development and harmony. We can have both,” he said.
