All non-Muslim worship houses eligible for annual maintenance aid: Nga

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all non-Islamic houses of worship can apply for annual maintenance funds.

Nga (above, right) said priority will be given to applications from those in urgent need and those who have never received assistance before. However, he assured that previous recipients would not be barred from reapplying.

“This initiative prioritises non-Islamic houses of worship that require immediate assistance, in line with the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s commitment of ‘leaving no one behind, marginalising no one’,” he said in a statement today.

His statement came after MIC deputy president M Saravanan chided the government over its decision to limit how frequently non-Muslim places of worship can apply for government allocations.

This followed Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu’s announcement in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that non-Muslim places of worship that have received allocations can only reapply after three years.

This is intended to ensure more non-Muslim places of worship benefit from the ministry’s allocations.

Following that, Nga explained that non-Muslim worship places can submit applications annually, with approvals based on necessity and the government’s fiscal position.

As of October 2024, he said the ministry had disbursed RM46.13 million to 422 non-Islamic houses of worship, including temples, churches, gurdwaras, and shrines. Of these, 147 temples and 25 gurdwaras received a total of RM21.35 million.

In Budget 2025, the Madani government has allocated an additional RM50 million in maintenance aid for non-Muslim places of worship, continuing its efforts to celebrate cultural diversity and support the needs of Malaysia’s multiracial society.

Nga also urged all parties to sincerely assist the people and avoid politicising the issue. 

“Do not spread false information or mislead the public,” he cautioned.

New rule for non-Muslim places of worship makes no sense - Saravanan

'How much will our kids, grandkids have to pay for new PJD Link?'

Selangor interested to reclaim KL if opportunity arises: Report

Why issue order then reconsider, MP asks on nurses' work hours

PM to announce RM13b affordable housing project next month - Nga