S'gor govt says worship houses guidelines apply only to future commercial developments

The Selangor government said its 2025 guidelines on the approval of non-Muslim places of worship in commercial areas will apply only to future developments and will not affect existing commercial zones.

The Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Tao Religious Affairs (Limas) said the guidelines are meant to facilitate the planning of new development areas, so that places of worship are located close to residential areas.

The committee chairpersons said in a joint statement that they had provided this assurance to non-Muslim religious associations at a meeting today, which was also attended by representatives of local authorities, the Town and Country Planning Department director, and the Economic Planning Unit.

Kinrara assemblyperson Ng Sze Han, Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim, and Banting assemblyperson V Papparaidu recognised that some religious venues deliberately select locations in industrial or commercial zones to address the local community’s needs. 

“Given this situation, the associations are requesting that the state government provide space for commercial buildings to be used as places of worship in new areas, subject to the conditions of planning permission and positively assessed on a case-by-case basis by the local authorities.

“The associations present also requested that the planning permission process be simplified for the convenience of new associations,” they said.

While the committee did not commit to respond to the requests, it affirmed Articles 3 and 11 of the Federal Constitution, which declare Islam as the federal religion and the right of non-Muslims to practise their faith.

“The Limas committee will liaise closely with the religious associations involved to obtain feedback so that these guidelines can be improved, continue to be inclusive and always enable the people of Selangor to live in harmony with understanding each other,” it added.  

Last week, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung voiced concern over two provisions in the guidelines approved by the state exco meeting on Nov 12, 2025, saying they could have far-reaching implications for the practice of religious activities across Selangor.

He noted that Paragraph 6 under “KM: 4-3 Places of Worship Other than Islam” states that “Placement within areas designated as commercial zones is not permitted”.

Paragraph 7 further states that “Conversion of existing buildings into such use is not allowed”.

In response, Sze Han said the state government has yet to implement or enforce the guidelines as they will be reviewed in consultation with religious associations.

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