NGOs Propose Special Committee To Address Sensitive Issues Related To Houses Of Worship

By Muhammad Saufee Rosman and N. Kuvineshwaran

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- A reconciliation session involving representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the Malay and Indian communities yesterday, among others, proposed that the government establish a special committee to address issues related to houses of worship built without approval.

Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, who attended the session, said the proposed committee would serve as an official platform to manage such sensitive matters while ensuring that all actions are carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with the law.

“We agreed for a committee to be set up by the government, either under the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) or the Ministry of National Unity (KPN), to address sensitive issues such as the construction of houses of worship without approval,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Zainul Rijal said any place of worship built unlawfully must be handled in accordance with legal provisions, but its implementation must take into account religious sensitivities.

“If it involves relocation or demolition, it must be carried out with due respect for religious objects and practices, including engaging relevant parties such as religious leaders to avoid tension,” he said.

He said the proposal to establish the committee would be submitted to the government soon. 

Zainul Rijal also said that the Harmoni MADANI initiative, which facilitated the meeting to seek common ground in resolving issues affecting both communities, would hold a follow-up session, although the date has yet to be determined.

Yesterday, 30 representatives from both communities attended a meeting at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), where several individuals previously linked to controversies surrounding the issue were given the opportunity to clarify their positions directly in an effort to ease tensions.

When contacted, Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima) chairman Datuk N. Sivakumar proposed a land audit involving non-Muslim houses of worship following discussions at the Harmoni MADANI session.

He said the audit should be carried out by the Federal Government to ensure better coordination, as land matters, mapping and enforcement fall under state jurisdiction.

“Without central coordination, audit efforts may face inconsistencies in terms of policies, approaches and implementation across states,” he said.

Sivakumar said a National Audit Task Force should be established under JPN as the main coordinating mechanism to ensure policy uniformity, monitoring and more effective implementation.

Meanwhile, Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (WADAH) secretary-general Azizuddin Ahmad said the Harmoni MADANI reconciliation session between representatives of the Malay and Indian communities was an important step in easing tensions and strengthening harmony in the country’s plural society.

He said Malaysia, as a multi-racial and multi-religious nation, must continue to uphold the principle of ‘diversity within unity’ by treating differences as strengths, while emphasising peaceful coexistence as the foundation of national stability and wellbeing.

“The culture of peace, which rejects conflict and prioritises wisdom, dialogue, justice and compassion, must be nurtured in managing societal diversity,” he said in a statement.

-- BERNAMA