Selangor Sultan Backs PM Anwar’s Firm Stand on Illegal Houses of Worship

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 10: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance against the construction of houses of worship that do not comply with existing laws and regulations.

In a statement issued by the Sultan’s Senior Private Secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, the Sultan said the federal government’s position aligns with his long-held principle that all development must be carried out in accordance with the law and based on good governance.

The Sultan said Prime Minister Anwar reiterated this position during an audience with him on Feb. 8.

He also stressed that the construction and development of houses of worship, particularly Hindu temples, must be conducted in an orderly and lawful manner and in line with sustainable and well-planned urban development policies.

On Monday, Anwar stated that the government would not grant approval for any houses of worship built without adhering to established regulations and instructed local authorities to take action against structures deliberately erected without legal approval.

The statement also revealed that the Sultan had been briefed on the number of unauthorized Hindu temples in Selangor as of Jan. 31. A total of 687 temples were recorded, with 388 built on government land and 299 on privately owned land.

“The number of unauthorized temples is high compared to the Hindu Indian population, which makes up about 11.3 percent of Selangor’s population,” the Sultan said.

As the head of Islam in Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin said he remains sensitive to the concerns of Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious society, emphasizing that tolerance and mutual respect are essential to maintaining harmony in the state.

He reiterated that all houses of worship must be constructed only after formal applications and legal approvals are obtained from the government and local authorities, in accordance with existing laws and guidelines.

The Sultan also urged the government and local councils to process applications transparently, fairly, and systematically while strictly upholding legal provisions. He called for continuous monitoring to curb unauthorized construction on both government and private land.

He added that the long-standing issue of illegal temple construction must be resolved, warning that it has caused public unease and affected social harmony.