Four step immediate action for the ongoing Hindu temples issue

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has proposed a four step immediate action plan to resolve the ongoing issues regarding Hindu temples that are built on government land.

“Hindu temples situating on unregistered/government land in Malaysia is a long-standing issue that has unique historical and social causes. Matters involving Hindu temple relocation should be addressed through structured dialogue, lawful procedures, and institutional mediation — not through actions that may inflame communal sentiments,” he said in a statement.

“Moving forward, I propose immediate actions such as:

1. Establishing a state-level mediation platform involving authorities, landowners, and temple representatives.
2. Developing clear and transparent relocation guidelines, including notice periods, alternative site allocation, clear ownership of legal entity, and compensation frameworks.
3. Conducting a comprehensive land audit to regularise longstanding houses of worship where feasible.
4. Requiring developers to proactively resolve existing religious site issues during project approvals.

The PKR lawmaker also raised his objections against a rally particularly against Hindu temples that was scheduled to take place later tonight.

He pointed out that the timing of the rally that coincides with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would escalate a sensitive issue.

“I object to the rally organised by Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship Movement coordinator Zamri Vinoth, particularly due to its timing during the official visit of Prime Minister India Narendra Modi and the perception that its objectives risk being provocative and unnecessarily escalating a sensitive issue.

“While I respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly enshrined under Article 10 of the constitution, such rights could be exercised with better responsibility and awareness of broader national implications.

“Holding a protest at a moment of high-level diplomatic engagement risks projecting domestic religious matters onto the international stage and creating avoidable tensions.”

In a related development DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong has also called for action to be taken against the rally organisers.

‘Stop using “kuil haram” term’

Woo who is also Perak exco called on all parties to stop using the term “kuil haram” (illegal temple), describing it as prejudicial, misleading, and hurtful to Hindu worshippers.

He stressed that many temples and places of worship in Malaysia predate modern land laws and urban planning regulations, and should be recognised for their historical, cultural, and heritage value.

“These places of worship carry long and complex histories, and should be seen as part of the nation’s cultural fabric and proof that Malaysia’s diverse communities can live together peacefully,” Woo said.

He warned that labelling sacred sites as “illegal” carries dangerous implications, creating the false impression that such places lack legitimacy or should be removed, which could complicate efforts to reach fair and peaceful solutions.

Meanwhile the police have told the rally organisers to call it off. However its coordinator Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu has insisted that the rally in front of Sogo Complex is on tonight.