The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA will set up a committee with the participation of the local councils to identify illegal temples and churches, National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I have spoken with the housing and local government minister (Zuraida Kamaruddin) about forming a committee in all the local councils (to check) non-Muslim places of worship,” she said during minister question time.

“This committee will have officers from my ministry and it will identify all the registered and non-registered non-Muslim houses of worship.

“It will also look into the necessary follow-up action and the legal steps that can be taken by the local councils and the state government.”

Halimah was responding to Cha Kee Chin’s (Rasah-PH) question on the status of her ministry’s National Unity Action Plan and the National Unity Policy.

Last week, the Alor Star City Council demolished the Sri Raja Muniswarar Temple in Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah, believed to be over 50 years old.

Following the incident, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has called his critics, who are MIC and DAP leaders, “drunk and incoherent”. 

Kedah is governed by the Islamist PAS following a February takeover by Perikatan Nasional.

Meanwhile, Halimah told parliament that the National Unity Policy is in the final stages of being drafted.

“It will be converted into a document to be released soon. The 2021-2025 plan will have indicators and action plans.” – December 8, 2020.