SHAH ALAM, Feb 10 — The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has urged the authorities to monitor and prevent the building of illegal houses of worship on government and private land, amid recent controversies surrounding the issue.
His Royal Highness’ private secretary Dato’ Mohamad Munir Bani said the Ruler also urged the government and local authorities to carefully review every application for the construction of houses of worship, ensuring the process is transparent, fair, and orderly while adhering to existing laws.
"The Sultan consistently stresses that every house of worship must be built based on a submitted application and must obtain valid approval from the government and local authorities, in accordance with all laws and established guidelines.
"Any construction without proper approval, involving encroachment on government or private land, could cause disputes among followers of different religions and ultimately pose threats and risks to the safety of the state and the nation," he said in a statement today.
Munir said that the state government informed Sultan Sharafuddin that, as of January 31 this year, 687 unauthorised Hindu temples had been built across Selangor, of which 388 are on government land and 299 on private land.
"The total number is high compared with the Hindu Indian population, which makes up about 11.3 per cent of Selangor’s population.
"This figure does not include the number of legally established temples across the state that have obtained approval from the authorities,” he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Federal government has granted local councils the authority to act against illegally built houses of worship, and that firm action would be taken against any construction that violates existing laws.
His remarks come amid recent controversies surrounding the encroachment of several non-Muslim houses of worship in Selangor.
Munir added that His Royal Highness fully supports Anwar's statement, which was also personally conveyed to Sultan Sharafuddin during their February 8 meeting.
"The Federal government's firm stance aligns with the principles and approach consistently emphasised by the Sultan of Selangor, namely ensuring that all development is carried out in accordance with existing laws and good governance.
"This must also be adhered to in the construction of houses of worship, particularly Hindu temples, so that they are carried out in an orderly and legal manner, and in line with sustainable and well-planned urban development,” he said.
As the head of Islam in Selangor, Munir said the Sultan is always mindful of the sensitivities of a multiracial and multi-religious society.
"The Sultan of Selangor stresses that the issue of unauthorised temple construction must be stopped and resolved, as it has long caused concern and disrupted the peace and harmony of the community,” he concluded.
