'Kedah approved 5 non-Muslim houses of worship this year'

New Straits Times

22-04-2025

ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has approved five applications for non-Muslim houses of worship this year.
State Chinese, Indian and Siamese Community Affairs Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said the applications were approved during the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee meeting chaired by State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali on April 13.
"The state government has adopted a more harmonious and diplomatic approach in addressing non-Muslim houses of worship issues.
"This approach avoids heavy-handed measures and instead promotes dialogue and amicable, orderly resolutions," he said during his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Aman today.
Wong said Kuala Muda and Kulim had the most temple applications, with several built without proper authorisation.
He said the state government was actively monitoring and addressing the issue with great sensitivity, given its implications for ethnic relations and compliance with legal frameworks.
"The state government remains highly attentive to the issue of unauthorised construction of non-Muslim houses of worship. I regularly convene meetings and play an active role in facilitating discussions to find common ground.
"This responsibility is carried out with full accountability, as both a defender of the law and a defender of the people, upholding legislation while safeguarding the welfare and harmony of our multicultural and multi-faith society."
Wong told the house that the Kota Setar Land Office was evaluating several locations for the relocation of the Sri Veerama Kaliaman Temple currently at the JKR Quarters in Tongkang Yard.
He said the temple committee submitted the proposed sites to the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee during a recent meeting.
"Following discussions, it was proposed that the temple be relocated to a more suitable location to ensure comfort, safety and more effective land-use planning.
"The special officer for Indian community affairs to the menteri besar and I will coordinate the next steps in the relocation process," he said in response to a question by Teh Swee Leong (Pakatan Harapan-Kota Darul Aman).