> Selangor approves 54 temples

The Selangor state non-Islamic affairs committee has approved 54 land applications for non-Muslim places of worship in the state this year.

State Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar told the state assembly this yesterday.

Xavier was responding to questions posed by Jenice Lee Ying Ha (Pakatan-Teratai), who asked about the number of approvals for religious sites given by the state government this year and also the number of places of worship torn down by the previous state administration.

According to Xavier, of the 54 approved applications, 25 are for Hindu temples, 19 for Chinese temples, and 10 for Christian churches.

“Now that the non-Islamic affairs committee has given its approval, all these applications will be submitted to the state executive council for the final endorsement” he said.

Xavier said that between 2004 and last year, 96 Hindu and 37 Chinese temples were demolished by the then Barisan Nasional state government.

Xavier: Of the 54 approved applications, 25 are for Hindu temples, 19 for Chinese temples and 10 for Christian churches.’

On the demolition of places of worship by local councils, he said the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) undertook the most demolition.

The breakdown of the demolition of places of worships according to the respective local councils from 2004 to 2008 are as follows:

>Shah Alam City Council (MBSA): two Hindu temples;

>Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ): 13 Hindu temples and 12 Chinese temples;

>Klang Municipal Council (MPK): four Hindu temples;

>Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ): two Hindu temples;

>Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ): 44 Hindu temples and 17 Chinese temples;

>Selayang Municipal Council (MPS): 27 Hindu temples and 8 Chinese temples;

>Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj): two Hindu temples;

>Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp): one Hindu temple;

>Kuala Selangor district council: one Hindu temple - The Star.