THE Selangor government will implement legal action against houses of worship built on illegal sites with a prudent approach to ensure community harmony.
Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, said that the announcement by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which gives full authority to the state government and local authorities (PBT) to 'clean up' illegal houses of worship, will accelerate the implementation of existing actions in Selangor.
According to him, the state has had an organised system for more than 15 years through the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee (RIBI), which is now known as the Selangor Five Religion Houses of Worship Committee (LIMAS).
"Over the past 15 years, we have not only allowed houses of worship to operate in suitable and legal locations, but have also taken action to demolish or dispose of houses of worship that were built irregularly.
"Dozens of actions have been implemented, and the record dates back to 2015," he said when met during a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Large-Scale Farming Project (LSS5), today.
Amirudin stressed that the right of religious believers to worship is still respected, but it must be done in a legal location and not in violation of the law.
"We give people space to worship, but the place must be legal. What the Prime Minister emphasised is the 'rule of law', and that is also Selangor's approach," he stressed.
He said that before 2008, the issue of houses of worship often caused tension due to unclear land status, hence the establishment of a special committee became a mechanism important to act as a coordinator and mediator.
According to him, the committee not only deals with the issue of houses of worship, but also involves matters related to cemeteries and the affairs of the five religions in the state.
"In several cases, we have taken firm action, we have negotiated, and there has also been tension.
"Most issues can be resolved harmoniously with the state government acting as a mediator," he said.
He added that the approach would continue to be streamlined to ensure that community harmony was maintained without neglecting the implementation of the law.
Commenting on the role of the PBT, Amirudin said that all decisions would be made jointly by taking into account the status of the land, ownership, land use zone and the impact on the surrounding area.
"The PBT will be involved in the meeting, we will check who owns this land, whether it is government or private land, the area zone and the impact on the residents before a decision is made," he said.
The Prime Minister had previously given authority to PBTs nationwide to act on houses of worship, including temples built on illegal sites.
Although the decision would invite controversy, the Prime Minister stressed that Malaysia has laws that must be respected by all. – February 10, 2026
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