Kuala lumpur: Enforcement action by local authorities (PBT) against places of worship built on illegal land must be carried out fairly, consistently, with integrity and prudence, in line with Malaysia's standing as a nation governed by the rule of law. Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin emphasized the necessity of firm enforcement to restore administrative discipline, rebuild public confidence in institutions, and prevent the manipulation of racial and religious sentiments.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, ABIM proposes firm but phased enforcement against new structures that clearly violate the law, carried out in a measured manner. The organization also suggests conditional regularisation for older places of worship built due to systemic shortcomings, including official registration, compliance with safety requirements, and transparent, lawful resolution of land status. ABIM emphasizes the importance of allocating land reserves for places of worship of various faiths in new developments to prevent similar issues and safeguard harmony in a multi-religious society.
Ahmad Fahmi further proposed the establishment of a special monitoring committee on places of worship in every state. This committee would involve local authorities, land offices, state religious agencies, and recognised non-Muslim religious bodies to monitor and resolve issues before they escalate. He expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's stance that Malaysia is governed by the rule of law and that all parties must comply with legal requirements, including those involving places of worship built on unauthorised land.
Ahmad Fahmi also stressed that issues of legal compliance should not be used to stigmatise any community and urged all parties to refrain from hate speech, racial insults, and religious provocation. He reiterated ABIM's belief that Malaysia remains strong because of its diversity, managed fairly, lawfully, and with civility, in line with the Federal Constitution and the spirit of national unity. Prime Minister Anwar had earlier stated that the government would not permit any place of worship to be built illegally or in breach of regulations.