PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government has assured religious groups that proposed guidelines involving non-Islamic houses of worship in commercial areas will only apply to new commercial developments.
The assurance specifies that the rules will not affect existing places of worship.
The statement was given during a meeting between the state government’s Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Tao Religious Affairs (Limas) and representatives from the five religious groups in Selangor.
Also present at the meeting were officials from PlanMalaysia Selangor, the State Economic Planning Unit and representatives from local authorities.
In a joint statement, Limas co-chairmen Ng Sze Han, Datuk Ng Suee Lim and V. Papparaidu said religious associations were informed that the objective of the guidelines was to facilitate better planning in newly developed commercial areas.
They reiterated that the guidelines would not affect existing non-Islamic houses of worship operating in commercial areas throughout the state.
“The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure more organised planning in new development areas so that land gazetted for houses of worship, based on the needs of the population, is located closer to residential areas,” they said in a statement here on Saturday (May 30).
The state government, however, acknowledged that some religious associations preferred to operate in commercial and industrial areas.
The committee noted this remains a practical way to meet the worship needs of their respective communities.
During the meeting, the associations requested that the state government allow commercial buildings in new development areas to be used as houses of worship.
They asked that this remain subject to planning approval requirements and positive consideration by local authorities on a case-by-case basis.
The associations also called for the planning approval process to be simplified to facilitate the establishment of new religious organisations.
The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights enshrined under Articles 3 and 11 of the Federal Constitution.
It said Islam would continue to be upheld as the religion of the Federation while every individual retained the right to profess and practise his or her religion.
The statement added that Limas would continue engaging closely with the religious associations to obtain feedback and further improve the guidelines.
“The guidelines must remain inclusive and continue to enable the people of Selangor to live harmoniously through mutual understanding and respect,” the committee said.
The state government said it remained committed to ensuring that any policy concerning houses of worship balanced orderly urban planning with the religious needs of the state’s diverse communities.
