KLANG: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (pic) has expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stance that houses of worship cannot be built without adhering to the stipulated rules and regulations.
In a statement, Sultan Sharafuddin’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, said His Royal Highness has always emphasised that all development must be carried out in accordance with existing laws and proper governance.
“This must also be observed in the construction of houses of worship, especially Hindu temples, so that they are orderly and legal as well as in line with sustainable and planned urban planning,” the statement said yesterday.
Mohamad Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin was informed by the Selangor government that there are a total of 687 Hindu temples built without approval in the state as of Jan 31 this year.
“This includes 388 temples built on government-owned land and 299 temples built on privately-owned land.
“The number of these unauthorised temples is high in comparison to the Hindu community in the state, which is approximately 11.3%,” the statement said.
Mohamad Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin has always stressed that houses of worship must be built only after the necessary applications are made and approval given by the state government and local authorities.
“Construction of any houses of worship without legal approval and encroachment of government and private land will cause conflict between people of various religions that will ultimately create security risks in the state and country,” said Mohamad Munir.
He added the Ruler reminded local authorities to always examine every application for the construction of houses of worship so that it is processed transparently, fairly and in an orderly manner without disregarding the provisions of existing laws.
“The Sultan of Selangor has stressed that unauthorised temple construction must be stopped because it has caused concern for a long time and has affected the peace and harmony of the community,” said Mohamad Munir.
On another matter, Mohamad Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin does not approve of pig farming being carried out in any district in the state.
He added His Royal Highness welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement opposing pig farming in areas objected to by local residents and where it could trigger controversy.
“This is because pig farming can cause air pollution by emitting foul smell and can also contaminate river water sources due to the release of pig faeces and sewage waste,” said Mohamad Munir.
He added the proposal to carry out pig farming in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, was inappropriate as the locality was populated by Malays and a Felda settlement.
As a result, rearing pigs there would certainly receive objections from the Malay community in the area and its surroundings, said Mohamad Munir.
“It could also pollute water catchment areas and rivers that supply clean water to the people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya,” he added.
Mohamad Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin has suggested that the government grant import licences to bring in pork to meet the demand of non-Muslims in the state.
Through this way, the long-standing issue of pig farming can be resolved and the Selangor government could optimise the usage of state land for development and establishment of settlements.
“His Royal Highness stressed that the pig farming issue should be halted and conclusively resolved, as it has caused concern among all parties and affected the peace and harmony of the community,’’ said Mohamad Munir.
