MCA Selangor seeks clarity over RIBI planning guidelines, warns of policy gaps

 

MCA Selangor has urged the Selangor government to provide clearer policy direction on the implementation of the 2025 Selangor State Planning Guidelines and Standards for Community Facilities, saying recent explanations from state leaders have failed to resolve key concerns surrounding non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBIs).

The issue stems from public debate over the state’s revised planning guidelines, which regulate the location and development of community facilities, including places of worship.

State authorities have maintained that the guidelines are intended to promote more systematic planning and only apply to new commercial developments.

However, concerns have been raised over how the policy will affect future applications and existing places of worship operating in commercial premises.

MCA Selangor chairman Datuk Ir Lawrence Low said recent explanations by Selangor executive councillor Ng Sze Han and the Selangor Non-Islamic Affairs Committee (LIMAS) appeared to address public concerns only partially while leaving several implementation questions unanswered.

“While the state government’s explanations may provide reassurance on the surface, important questions remain regarding policy clarity, consistency and implementation,” Low said in a statement.

The MCA vice president noted that state leaders had repeatedly stated that the guidelines apply only to commercial areas. However, he pointed out that the planning framework also covers industrial zones and other land-use categories.

“If the government’s explanation is limited to commercial areas, then the position regarding RIBIs operating in industrial areas or future applications involving industrial zones remains unclear,” he stressed.

“This ambiguity must be addressed to ensure consistent interpretation and implementation.”

He also questioned the government’s assertion that the guidelines apply only to new commercial developments, noting that such a limitation is not explicitly stated in the policy documents.

“Local authorities and enforcement agencies rely on formal policy documents, State Executive Council decisions and official circulars. They do not rely on press statements or social media posts when making planning decisions,” he asserted.

Low said the issue was particularly significant for existing RIBIs operating under Temporary Planning Permission (Kebenaran Merancang Sementara), which typically require periodic renewal.

“It remains unclear whether renewal applications will be treated as a continuation of existing approvals or considered new applications subject to the latest guidelines. This is a critical issue that requires formal clarification,” he said.

He stressed that assurances given by the state government that existing places of worship would not be affected should be reflected in written policy documents to prevent differing interpretations among local authorities.

Low went on to raise concerns over what he described as a potential policy gap involving future commercial developments.

According to the state government’s explanation, future commercial developments may no longer be permitted to accommodate RIBIs within shoplots or commercial premises.

At the same time, he said there appeared to be no clear requirement for developers to reserve alternative land specifically for such facilities.

Under existing guidelines, approximately 1.5 acres of land are required to be reserved for a RIBI only when a catchment area exceeds 5,000 residents.

“This raises an important question. What happens in areas with fewer than 5,000 residents? If there is no requirement to reserve land and commercial premises are also restricted, residents may effectively be left without suitable places of worship,” Low argued.

He said the issue went beyond policy wording and centred on whether the planning framework was fair, consistent and practically implementable.

He added that while Articles 3 and 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantee religious freedom, such protections must be reflected through clear administrative procedures and planning mechanisms.

“Religious freedom cannot exist solely as a verbal assurance. It must be embedded within policy and implementation systems to have practical effect,” he emphasised.

Low also questioned why broader stakeholder engagement was not conducted before the guidelines were introduced.

“Consultation is welcome, but effective engagement should take place before policies are finalised, not only after public concerns emerge,” he said.

He called on the state government to provide formal policy clarification and establish clear implementation mechanisms to ensure religious needs continue to be accommodated fairly across all planning contexts.

“What is needed now is not further explanation through public statements, but policy certainty, consistent implementation and clear safeguards to ensure the practical needs of all communities are protected,” he added. ‒  Focus Malaysia