SHAH ALAM, May 31 — The Special Committee of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Tao Religions in Selangor (LIMAS) confirmed that proposed guidelines for non-Muslim houses of worship in commercial areas only apply to new developments and won’t impact existing premises in the state.
LIMAS co-chairmen Ng Sze Han, Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, and Papparaidu Veraman, in a Facebook statement issued after a committee meeting yesterday, said existing houses of worship in commercial premises throughout Selangor are allowed to continue operating unaffected.
The meeting yesterday involved representatives of religious associations, PLANMalaysia Selangor director Khairulnizam Ibrahim, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), and representatives of Selangor local authorities, and covered the implementation of these guidelines in commercial zones.
In the statement, the LIMAS co-chairmen said the guidelines aim to facilitate more organised urban planning in new development areas to ensure land is gazetted for houses of worship according to the needs of the local population.
“Nevertheless, the state government understands that several associations choose to operate in commercial and industrial areas as a practical step to fulfill the religious worship needs of the local community.
“In view of this, the associations requested the state government provide space for commercial buildings to be used as houses of worship in new areas, subject to planning permit conditions and positive evaluations on a case-by-case basis by local authorities,” they said.
During the meeting, religious group representatives also suggested the planning permit process be simplified for new associations’ ease.
The co-chairmen reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to upholding Articles 3 and 11 of the Federal Constitution, which state that Islam is the official religion of the Federation and that every citizen has the right to practise their faith.
“LIMAS will continue to closely communicate with religious associations involved to gather feedback so these guidelines can be improved, are inclusive, and allow Selangoreans to reside harmoniously by understanding one another,” they added.
