MHS calls for Selangor to withdraw guidelines on non-Muslim houses of worship

 

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has urged the Selangor government to withdraw provisions in its recently unveiled planning guidelines that differentiate places of worship based on religion.

In a statement today, MHS president Ganesan Thangavelu argued that the provisions in the Selangor State Community Facilities Planning Guidelines and Standards 2025 may conflict with constitutional guarantees of equality and religious freedom.

Among the concerns raised were restrictions on the height of non-Muslim houses of worship, limits on direct access to main roads, smaller land allocations, and differing planning requirements based on religion.

According to the document approved by the Selangor executive council last November, the maximum height for non-Muslim houses of worship was set at 72 feet (21.9 metres).

While noting that the state government had acknowledged the guidelines were a mistake and suspended their implementation pending consultations, Ganesan (above) said the issue involved fundamental constitutional principles.

“Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection of the law.

Hindu religious affairs national council, Malaysia Hindu Sangam

“Meanwhile, Article 11(1) guarantees every individual the right to profess and practise his or her religion without unreasonable restrictions,” he said.

As such, MHS urged the Selangor state government to:

• Fully withdraw all provisions that differentiate places of worship based on religion;

• Review and republish the guidelines in a manner consistent with the Federal Constitution;

• Conduct comprehensive consultations with representatives of all faiths, including temples, churches, gurdwaras, and Chinese temples; and

• Establish a transparent, consistent, and fair mechanism for addressing land and development issues involving non-Muslim places of worship.

Questions about technical studies, planning rationale

Ganesan further said any policy or guideline that distinguishes places of worship based on religion must be supported by clear and objective planning justifications, such as safety, technical, environmental, or public interest considerations.

“Without a sound basis, such differential treatment risks creating a perception of discrimination that is contrary to the spirit and principles of the Constitution,” he added.

He also questioned the rationale behind the proposed height restriction on non-Muslim houses of worship.

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“The key questions that must be answered are whether there are technical studies supporting such a requirement, what the planning rationale behind it is, and why religion has been used as a determining factor in setting building height limits,” he said.

Selangor state government secretariat and main administrative building

Ganesan stressed that all houses of worship should be treated fairly and equitably in line with Malaysia’s status as a multi-religious and multicultural nation.

The paused guidelines were approved during a state exco meeting in November 2025, but came under the public limelight on May 23 this year after Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung raised concerns over clauses banning non-Muslim houses of worship in commercial zones.

Following criticism, the Selangor government clarified that the guidelines would apply only to future developments and would not affect existing commercial areas.

The Selangor government’s special committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Tao Religious Affairs co-chairperson Ng Sze Han said earlier this week that the guidelines will not be enforced while the government consults with religious associations. - Mkini