A PKR assemblyman has urged the government to form an advisory board for non-Muslim religious affairs to better manage issues involving non-Muslim houses of worship and religious sensitivities.
Sentosa assemblyman RG Gunaraj said this would allow for a more structured, systematic and inclusive approach to these issues and would complement existing state-level mechanisms, such as the special committee for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Limas) in Selangor.
He said this board could coordinate the registration of non-Muslim places of worship while mediating land and zoning disputes.
Gunaraj added that the board could provide guidelines and advisories to religious organisations, and help formulate inclusive policies that ensured justice for all religious communities.
“Ideally, a national-level advisory board working closely with Limas would not only strengthen enforcement efforts on matters concerning places of worship, but also help resolve long-standing issues faced by non-Islamic communities.
“This includes the use of terms that are misleading and offensive,” the Selangor PKR vice-chairman said in a statement.
Gunaraj cited the term “illegal temple” as an example, describing it as legally and culturally inaccurate.
He said many were unaware that numerous non-Muslim houses of worship were legally registered and possessed the necessary papers, while the label only created negative perceptions against the faith.
“When terms like ‘illegal temple’ are used purely based on the physical structure without considering historical context or actual legal status, they create unfair and negative perceptions towards the religion.”
The relocation of the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple off Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur stirred controversy last month, sparking debates over other temples which certain quarters claimed were illegal.
On Monday, MIC deputy president M Saravanan asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to issue a directive to government agencies and departments to refrain from using the term “illegal temple”.
In a letter to Anwar, Saravanan said the government should not overlook the historical facts surrounding the establishment of Hindu temples in Malaysia, many of which received approval from colonial authorities and local administrators.
The Tapah MP said many Hindu temples in Malaysia existed long before the National Land Code 1965, and that labelling them “illegal” was offensive to Hindu devotees.
Gunaraj called for greater understanding and respect when dealing with issues involving houses of worship and land zoning.
“Using terms like ‘unregistered structure’ or ‘building without approval’ is more accurate, professional, and respectful of all sensitivities.
“However, we need a specialised institution with the expertise and authority to offer guidance and advice on these matters,” he added.
