688 unauthorised Hindu temples identified in Selangor

 State executive councillor V Papparaidu says the temples were built without permission on government and private land.

Selangor executive councillor V Papparaidu said the highest number of unauthorised Hindu temples was recorded in Kuala Selangor, with 207, comprising 126 on private land and 81 on government land. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Selangor government has identified 688 Hindu temples and shrines that have been operating without approval in the state, says executive councillor V Papparaidu.

He said there were 433 temples built without permission on government land, and 255 built on privately owned land, Harian Metro reported.

Of those built on government land, the highest number (96) was recorded in Petaling district, followed by Kuala Selangor (81), Gombak (57), Hulu Langat (55), Klang (45), Kuala Langat (36), Sepang (34) and Hulu Selangor (29).

“A total of 255 temples were built without approval on private land, involving 126 in Kuala Selangor, followed by Kuala Langat (38), Sepang (28), Hulu Selangor (22), Klang (20), Hulu Langat (12), Petaling (8), Sabak Bernam (2) and Gombak (1),” he said during the Selangor state assembly sitting in Shah Alam yesterday, in response to a question from Preakas Sampunathan (PH-Kota Kemu­­ning).

Papparaidu added that checks with the nine district land offices in Selangor showed that there were 285 legally built Hindu temples and shrines in the state.

The Banting assemblyman said the state government has identified multiple plots of land reserved for non-Muslim places of worship. However, it is reviewing their suitability in terms of planning, land status and the local community’s needs.

“This includes using these plots of land as options for the relocation of places of worship that have long existed but cannot be gazetted at their current sites.

“We are taking this approach to ensure a more structured and practical resolution in line with legal requirements while preserving social harmony,” said Papparaidu, who also co-chairs a special state committee on non-Muslim faiths called Limas. - FMT