BUTTERWORTH – Penang has set aside RM9.2 million for an all-in-one non-Muslim worship street in Ampang Jajar here, said the chief minister today.
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said this after presenting land plots to 35 religious organisations selected for the project.
The state land is offered to them on a 60-year term with a 50% discount on lease rates. This new project is the biggest so far in Malaysia.
With the allotment of land grants, the 35 organisations can submit planning applications to the Seberang Prai City Council, he said.
The concept will be similar to the harmony street along George Town’s Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Each of them will get to build non-Muslim places of worship and hold various activities within the premises, he said.
“I hope that the organisations can get along. We have allowed applications from those of Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoism, Confucianism, Sikhism, Bahai and others. It is to showcase harmony and tolerance.”
Chow added that once the project is completed, it will become a tourism landmark for the mainland.
The Penang Development Corporation has been appointed to oversee the project. – The Vibes, October 19, 2020