Latest news with #WongChiaZhen
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Kedah monitoring construction of illegal non-Islamic houses of worship
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government is monitoring and taking action against the construction of illegal non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI). State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said this needed to be done carefully as it involved racial sensitivities and existing laws. 'Non-Islamic houses of worship built without approval are being monitored by the local authorities in Kedah. 'Among the districts with the highest number of applications for non-Islamic houses of worship are Kuala Muda and Kulim. There is no denying that there are several illegal non-Islamic houses of worship in these two districts,' he told the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting today. He said the state government, in addressing issues related to existing non-Islamic houses of worship, does not directly take stern actions but, instead, offers space for negotiations and solutions in a good and orderly manner. He said the state government also emphasises the construction of new non-Islamic houses of worship which fully comply with the stipulated guidelines and regulations to ensure a balance between physical development and social harmony in the state. Wong said that as proof of its commitment, the state government approved five applications for government land sites for non-Islamic houses of worship in the Kuala Muda district at the RIBI committee meeting on April 13. Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the Sri Veerama Kaliaman Temple at the Tongkang Yard JKR Quarters here, Wong said the temple would be relocated to a more suitable site. This, he said, was to ensure comfort and safety as well as meet the needs of more structured land planning. 'Several proposed locations have been presented by the temple committee and the Kota Setar District land administrator is evaluating them in terms of suitability.
Malaysiakini
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Kedah monitoring construction of illegal non-Muslim houses of worship
The Kedah government is monitoring and taking action against the construction of illegal non-Muslim houses of worship. State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairperson Wong Chia Zhen said this needed to be done carefully as it involved racial sensitivities and existing laws.
Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Kedah takes watchful approach on unapproved non-Islamic houses of worship, state assembly told
ALOR SETAR, April 22 — The Kedah government is monitoring and taking action against the construction of illegal non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI). State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said this needed to be done carefully as it involved racial sensitivities and existing laws. 'Non-Islamic houses of worship built without approval are being monitored by the local authorities in Kedah. 'Among the districts with the highest number of applications for non-Islamic houses of worship are Kuala Muda and Kulim. There is no denying that there are several illegal non-Islamic houses of worship in these two districts,' he told the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting today. He said the state government, in addressing issues related to existing non-Islamic houses of worship, does not directly take stern actions but, instead, offers space for negotiations and solutions in a good and orderly manner. He said the state government also emphasises the construction of new non-Islamic houses of worship which fully comply with the stipulated guidelines and regulations to ensure a balance between physical development and social harmony in the state. Wong said that as proof of its commitment, the state government approved five applications for government land sites for non-Islamic houses of worship in the Kuala Muda district at the RIBI committee meeting on April 13. Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the Sri Veerama Kaliaman Temple at the Tongkang Yard JKR Quarters here, Wong said the temple would be relocated to a more suitable site. This, he said, was to ensure comfort and safety as well as meet the needs of more structured land planning. 'Several proposed locations have been presented by the temple committee and the Kota Setar District land administrator is evaluating them in terms of suitability. — Bernama
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Kedah Monitoring Construction Of Illegal Non-islamic Houses Of Worship
ALOR SETAR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Kedah government is monitoring and taking action against the construction of illegal non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI). State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said this needed to be done carefully as it involved racial sensitivities and existing laws. "Non-Islamic houses of worship built without approval are being monitored by the local authorities in Kedah. "Among the districts with the highest number of applications for non-Islamic houses of worship are Kuala Muda and Kulim. There is no denying that there are several illegal non-Islamic houses of worship in these two districts,' he told the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting today. He said the state government, in addressing issues related to existing non-Islamic houses of worship, does not directly take stern actions but, instead, offers space for negotiations and solutions in a good and orderly manner. He said the state government also emphasises the construction of new non-Islamic houses of worship which fully comply with the stipulated guidelines and regulations to ensure a balance between physical development and social harmony in the state. Wong said that as proof of its commitment, the state government approved five applications for government land sites for non-Islamic houses of worship in the Kuala Muda district at the RIBI committee meeting on April 13. Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the Sri Veerama Kaliaman Temple at the Tongkang Yard JKR Quarters here, Wong said the temple would be relocated to a more suitable site. This, he said, was to ensure comfort and safety as well as meet the needs of more structured land planning.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'Kedah approved 5 non-Muslim houses of worship this year'
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).
