The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on the state government to bring the long-standing issue of unauthorised temple construction to a decisive and conclusive end, warning that prolonged inaction has cause unease and disrupted harmony among communities.
In a statement issued today by the Sultan’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, His Royal Highness stressed that the matter has been left unresolved for far too long, creating anxiety among all parties and affecting peace within Selangor’s multiracial and multireligious society.
Stricter Oversight and Continuous Monitoring
The Sultan reminded the state government and local authorities to carefully scrutinise every application for the construction of houses of worship. He emphasised that approvals must be processed transparently, fairly and systematically, in full compliance with existing laws and regulations.
In addition to application procedures, His Royal Highness called for continuous monitoring by enforcement authorities to curb and prevent the construction of houses of worship without permission on both government and privately owned land.
Upholding Tolerance Through the Rule of Law
According to Mohamad Munir, Sultan Sharafuddin has consistently been mindful of religious sensitives in Malaysia, with tolerance forming the foundation of social harmony in Selangor.
As the Head of the Islamic Religion in the state, the Sultan reiterated that all houses of worship must be only after valid application are submitted and formal approvals are granted by the relevant authorities, in accordance with laws and established guidelines.
Risk of Disputes and Security Concerns
The statement warned that unauthorised construction, particularly when it involves encroachment on government or private land, has the potential to spark disputes between followers of different religions.
Such disputes, the Sultan cautioned, could escalate into broader threats to public order and security, posing risks now only to Selangor but to the country as a whole.
Rising Numbers of Unauthorised Temples
Mohamad Munir revealed that as of 31st January this year, there are 687 unauthorized Hindu temples in Selangor. Of these, 388 are built on government land, while 299 are located privately owned land.
He noted that the figure is significant when compared to the Indian Hindu population in Selangor, which stands at approximately 11.3 per cent. The statistics, however, do not include temples that were legally constructed with approval from state authorities.
Alignment with Federal Government’s Stand
The Sultan also welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks opposing the construction of any house of worship that does not comply with established laws and regulations.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Sultan Sharafuddin and Datuk Seri Anwar in the capital few days ago. According to the statement, the prime minister’s firm stance reflects the same principles consistently emphasised by the Sultan, that all development must adhere to the rule of law and uphold good governance to ensure lasting harmony.
Sources: Malay Mail, Selangor Royal Office
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