THE Sepang District and Land Office (PDT Sepang) has demolished an illegal structure used as a house of worship that was built without approval on mosque reserve land at Masjid Pekan Dengkil, Kampung Cemperai, Sepang.
Sepang District Officer Khairi Azali Ibrahim confirmed the operation took place on Thursday, involving the coordinated efforts of various district departments and agencies.
“This operation demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring that public land is not encroached upon arbitrarily,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.
The demolition was carried out in accordance with Section 425 of the National Land Code (Act 828). Khairi emphasised that such collaborative enforcement efforts are meaningful and hoped they would continue in the future.
Among the agencies involved were the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTG), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), the Sepang Municipal Council (MP Sepang), and the Sepang District Police Headquarters (IPD Sepang).
Also participating were the Public Works Department (JKR), Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Energy Commission (ST), National Water Services Commission, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Air Selangor, and the PDT Sepang Enforcement Unit.
On 13 April, Sinar Harian reported that Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had pledged firm action against encroachment on the proposed site for the new Dengkil Mosque after the discovery of an unauthorised private house of worship.
He stated that the decision followed a directive from the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who had called for immediate resolution of the matter in order to uphold the sanctity and interests of Muslims in the area.
JAIS had earlier announced that the removal of structures on the mosque development site would be carried out within one month, after it was revealed that a temple had been unlawfully constructed on the four-hectare plot.
Perak Islamic Council Denies Claims Hindu Temple Was Built on Waqf Land
Earlier, in Ipoh, the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) has denied claims that a Hindu temple in Silibin was constructed on waqf (endowed) land owned by the council.
MAIPk President Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini stated that the issue had already been resolved, but certain parties were attempting to exploit the situation by linking it to the controversy surrounding Masjid Jamek Ar-Ridzuan in Alor Pongsu, Bagan Serai.
He clarified that the 0.024-hectare plot in question was not waqf land, but rather Baitulmal property acquired through inheritance division after the original owner died without heirs.
“In other words, the temple was not built on waqf land and has no connection to encroachment on such land. So, there is no issue of a Hindu temple being constructed on MAIPk property,”Sinar Harian cited him saying during a press conference at the Darul Ridzuan Islamic Complex yesterday.
Mohd Annuar added that since the land is privately owned, the legal status of the temple’s construction does not fall under MAIPk’s jurisdiction.
“When it comes to legal matters, MAIPk has no authority over the temple’s construction because the land is privately owned. Approval matters fall under the purview of the local authorities,” he explained.
Providing further clarification, MAIPk Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Development), Wan Maizura Wan Zahari, said the land is jointly owned by three individuals, and the section in question comprises one-sixteenth of the total plot.
She noted that one of the owners had initially engaged in a transaction to build a storage facility, but a temple was later constructed without the required permission.
The controversy erupted following a viral social media post alleging that a temple had been erected on waqf land in Silibin.
The post, which included photographs of the temple and a copy of a private land title search, urged the public to pressure the Perak state government to take action. - May 9, 2025
