MCA against new funding rules for non-Muslim houses of worship

 

MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng said some recipients may need additional funds for urgent repairs. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

MCA has criticised the housing and local government ministry over its plans to amend the guidelines for government funding applications from non-Muslim houses of worship.

The amendments, revealed by deputy minister Aiman Athirah Sabu in the Dewan Rakyat today, will include a three-year ban on non-Muslim houses of worship that have already received government funding from submitting new applications.

MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng called the move “very unreasonable” and urged the minister, Nga Kor Ming, to reconsider it.

Tan said the three-year restriction fails to take into account situations where non-Muslim houses of worship may face unforeseen circumstances, such as urgent repairs or “accidents”, shortly after receiving government support.

“The policy fails to consider this aspect, and it would be nonsensical if (such houses of worship) were deprived of much-needed funds solely on a time-based period,” he said in a statement.

He called for a more reasonable approach where ministry officials would be sent to assess the actual needs of the buildings before disbursing funds.

“A blanket regulation that denies such applications should not be enforced,” he said.

“The government wields a responsibility to treat all places of worship fairly and ensure that government assistance is disbursed when the need arises, rather than creating a sense of injustice that leaves adherents disheartened,” he said.

According to Aiman, the ministry had approved 422 out of 1,074 applications from non-Muslim houses of worship, totalling RM46.1 million in allocations, as of Sept 30. - FMT