What was conceived as the ‘people’s housing project’ through the building of flats for the poor has failed to consider the religious needs and sensitivities of non-Muslims, said a newly-appointed senator.

NONE At the recent senate session, Pakatan Rakyat senator S Ramakrishnan pointed out that the government’s plan to provide housing for former squatters has no provisions for temples and funeral parlours for the use of non-Malays.

However, mosques and other facilities for Muslims have been constructed.

Ramakrishnan said the Housing and Local Government Ministry plans to build 108 low-cost projects including 77,772 units under the people’s housing project or Project Perumahan Rakyat (PPR).

Although a mosque, public hall and food court have been built at these PPR, no land has been allocated for non-Muslim places of worship or funeral parlours.

“Until today no kuil, tokong or funeral parlour (has been) built for the Indians and Chinese residents in any of the PPR,” he claimed.

He called this a serious oversight by the department of town and urban planning, as well as being against the prime minister’s 1Malaysia policy.

Planning stipulations

In reply, Housing and Local Government deputy minister Lajim Ukin said there are no provisions for non-Muslim places of worship in projects like PPR.

lajim ukin He said, however, that the department of town and urban planning stipulates that one temple be built for every 2,300 Hindu residents and a mosque for every 2,300 Muslim residents.

No such stipulations are in place for the construction of funeral parlours, he said.

Ramakrishnan asserted that non-Muslims also need places of worship to fulfill their religious rites.

Without the existence of proper places of worship, he said residents resort to putting up small shrines which are later demolished by city and town councils.

“This oversight of the planning department creates racial disharmony in PPRs. Ignoring the need for a funeral parlour for non-Muslims shows that the government is totally indifferent to non-Malays,” he said.

Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, 54 projects have been completed for rental, providing 53,840 housing units. Another 28 projects, including 20,380 housing units, are under construction.