Restore case-by-case discretion on non-Muslim places of worship, says MP

 Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung says local authorities must be allowed to assess applications individually to respond to diverse needs and local realities.

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said the guidelines should be reviewed to ensure greater flexibility in handling applications for places of worship in commercial and industrial areas. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has called on the Selangor government to restore case-by-case discretion for local authorities in approving non-Muslim places of worship, saying the current planning guidelines risk being too rigid and may not reflect realities on the ground.

Lee said the Selangor State Planning Guidelines and Standards for Community Facilities should be reviewed to ensure greater flexibility in handling applications for places of worship in commercial and industrial areas.

He said local authorities must be allowed to assess applications individually, taking into account site conditions and community needs.

“Restore case-by-case deliberation powers to local authorities, so that the policy remains flexible and responsive to Malaysia’s diverse religious needs and local realities,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Lee also urged the state government to engage MPs, assemblymen, local councillors and village chiefs in briefings to ensure a clearer understanding of the policy before further decisions are made.

Last month, the Selangor government defended the planning guidelines, saying they were based on feedback from local councils and residents living near commercial areas.

Executive councillor Ng Sze Han said the guidelines are still under review and have not been enforced, adding that consultations with religious groups would be held before implementation.

The guidelines, which were approved at a state exco meeting on Nov 12 last year, are administered by PLANMalaysia Selangor, the state’s town and country planning department.

Paragraphs 6 and 7 of the section governing non-Islamic places of worship state that such facilities cannot be located in commercial zones and that existing buildings cannot be converted for that purpose. - FMT