Kuala lumpur: All parties intending to build places of worship must apply for Planning Permission (KM) from the local authorities, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He stated that his ministry practices an open policy on matters involving the construction of places of worship nationwide and is ready to meet the committees of the respective places of worship.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), there is a Non-Muslim Places of Worship (RIBI) unit that provides allocations for maintenance works. Nga emphasized the importance of obtaining the necessary permissions to ensure compliance with regulations. He assured that applications for the development of churches, mosques, temples, or suraus would be approved in accordance with the regulations.

Nga highlighted that every year, RM50 million is allocated to assist non-Muslim places of worship nationwide. For mosques, they fall under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), with RM2.6 billion allocated for their support.

Yesterday, Nga mentioned that KPKT, through the local authorities, was ready to cooperate with all relevant parties in implementing a regularisation programme for places of worship built without approval. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also reiterated that the government would not allow any place of worship to be built illegally without complying with regulations, emphasizing that Malaysia is a constitutional country, and any construction of places of worship is subject to the law.