Zahid urges measured, lawful approach to illegal houses of worship

ALL parties have been urged to handle the issue of illegal houses of worship with wisdom, restraint and proper conduct, as the government continues to manage the sensitive matter through established guidelines and legal processes.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government is fully aware of the issue and has already put in place clear guidelines that must be observed by all parties involved.

“We must address this matter in a ‘bil-hikmah wabilhasanah’ manner, meaning there must be wisdom and proper decorum.

“Even if we know that certain parties have not complied with the conditions, there are legal methods and prudent approaches that must be taken,” he told reporters after attending the Negeri Sembilan ‘Road to Ramadan’ programme at Masjid Kariah Pantai on Saturday.

Ahmad Zahid was responding to questions on the planned Himpunan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (GARAH), which is scheduled to take place in the capital later today to demand stricter enforcement against illegally built houses of worship.

He stressed that the use of land belonging to private companies, individuals or state governments must be carried out with proper approval to prevent any breach of the law.

According to him, several guidelines have been coordinated with menteris besar and chief ministers across the country to ensure consistent compliance and orderly management of such issues.

“I hope there will be no aggressive actions that could give rise to other problems.

“The government is very concerned about this issue and there are procedures that must be followed by everyone,” he said.

In his remarks, Ahmad Zahid also said the Madani Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has tasked him with paying close attention to Islamic and Malay agendas, while emphasising that the rights and interests of other religions and ethnic groups would not be sidelined.

“Harmony, as well as religious and racial diversity, must be respected because it has been determined that our country is made up of people from various backgrounds,” he said.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid presented Ramadan contributions under the Lenggeng state constituency programme to mosques and suraus, orphans and tahfiz centres.

Also present were Negeri Sembilan UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and Lenggeng assemblyman Datuk Mohd Asna Amin. - February7, 2026