By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, Jan 30 — The determination of whether a house of worship is lawful rests solely with the authorities, not the public or parties with political interests.
State Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Taoist Religions in Selangor (LIMAS) co-chairman Papparaidu Veraman said this in response to claims that certain individuals were collecting funds to purchase machinery to demolish houses of worship.
The state executive councillor said such actions clearly violate the country’s laws and risk threatening national harmony.
"I reiterate that whether or not a house of worship is lawful falls under the jurisdiction of the authorities, in accordance with the law, not the public or any politically interested parties. Actions must also not be driven by emotion.
"This issue cannot be equated with illegal structures such as sheds, stalls or other buildings. It involves sacred houses of worship. As a religious society, we should not label houses of worship with negative terms," he said in a statement last night.
Papparaidu also urged all parties, including individuals, lawyers, stakeholders and politicians, to refrain from issuing statements that could undermine public unity.
He said efforts to enhance unity, as consistently emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, should be supported and not tainted by provocation.
"I record my appreciation to the Royal Malaysia Police for taking statements and urge the Attorney-General’s Chambers to consider appropriate action against any party that incites public tension."
Papparaidu's statement comes amid tensions over illegally-built houses of worship in Selangor, including the encroachment involving three temples on Islamic cemetery land in PJS 4, Petaling Jaya.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has given the parties involved until March 31 to vacate the gazetted site or face enforcement action.
Another case involved the illegal construction of a house of worship on a private land in Dengkil, Sepang, which was also found to have used an unauthorised electricity connection from a nearby billboard.
Don't misconstrue govenment's intention
In a separate statement concerning the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at Selangor Dredging in Dengkil, Papparaidu said no final resolution can be reached until a court ruling is obtained to determine the legal standing and direction of the issue.
This follows the temple management’s failure to submit a timely application to relocate to a parcel of land designated for non-Muslim houses of worship, which was offered by the government through the Sepang District and Land Office in 1997.
"The land previously offered has since been earmarked for other development plans and is no longer available for relocation purposes. The current status of the site being occupied is a Malay reserve land and is privately owned.
"Therefore, at present, no final resolution can be implemented until a court decision is obtained.
"This matter should serve as a collective lesson that any solution offered by the government must be given due consideration and should not be misconstrued as a lack of assistance from the government."
Papparaidu said this after chairing a meeting on the temple issue, which was also attended by the Sepang District and Land Office's chief assistant district officer (CADO), a town planning officer from the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang), and representatives of the temple management.
