By Usha Muthusamy
SHAH ALAM, 10 July 2025: The Selangor state government has announced its intention to withdraw approvals for land designated for non-Muslim houses of worship if construction does not commence within a specified period. This directive aims to ensure that allocated land is utilized effectively for its intended purpose and to address instances where plots remain undeveloped.
The announcement was made during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly by State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim. He stated that any land for which approval is withdrawn will subsequently be reallocated to other religious organizations in need.
Since 2008, the Special Committee on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (Limas) has approved approximately 400 land plots for the construction of non-Muslim places of worship across Selangor. Datuk Ng Suee Lim emphasized that if a house of worship is not built within a certain timeframe- reportedly a five-year period for construction to begin- the state government will reclaim the land.
This policy underscores the state’s commitment to facilitating the establishment of religious institutions while also ensuring accountability and optimal use of land resources. The move is expected to streamline the process for religious bodies actively seeking to build or expand their facilities, by making more land available from those who have not proceeded with development.
