IPOH: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is ready to assist state governments in the regularisation of worship places.
Its minister Nga Kor Ming (pic)stressed that the law applies equally to all religious structures.
When asked whether regularisation efforts had begun, Nga said the process was ongoing, but noted that land matters fell under state jurisdiction.
“State governments handle land issues, not the ministry, but we are ready to assist. Under the ministry, we have the non-Islamic places of worship division, while Islamic matters involve the Islamic Development Department.
“Together, we help to resolve these issues,” he told reporters.
Nga said legal provisions clearly require planning permission to be obtained before any house of worship, including mosques, churches and temples, could be built and occupied.
“However, we must understand that this issue did not arise today.
“Some places of worship have existed for hundreds of years, even before the National Land Code and the Local Government Act came into place,” he said.
As such, Nga said the government was adopting a regularisation approach, particularly for historically established structures.
“The important thing is that they do not disturb public order, affect river reserves or disrupt road traffic.
“We will carry out regularisation programmes, but any new construction must comply with the law,” he said.
Nga, who is also Kepayang assemblyman, stressed that enforcement and governance must be carried out fairly and compassionately, with no exceptions for any religion.
“I believe this issue can be resolved amicably if we approach it with empathy,” he said after presenting aid to students from 18 secondary schools in the Ipoh Barat parliamentary constituency at SJK(C) Bercham yesterday.
“I hope that this assistance will help ease the burden on students and their families in obtaining learning materials and essential items ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year and the month of Ramadan,” he said.
Each student received RM300 each under the Sumbangan Kasih Madani programme.
A total of RM250,000 was sponsored by the Berjaya Cares Foundation for the programme in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
Also present were Berjaya Group Bhd executive director Shashitharan Nair and Bercham assemblyman Ong Boon Piow.
