PETALING JAYA – Former deputy minister of national unity, Ti Lian Ker, has voiced support for the swift legalisation of houses of worship in Malaysia, following the recent controversy surrounding the relocation of a Hindu temple. Ti emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent racial and religious tensions from being exploited.
He highlighted that numerous temples had existed on government land prior to Merdeka, yet applications for land titles had often “slipped through the administrative cracks.” Ti argued that these houses of worship should be automatically granted licenses to avoid future disputes.
Ti’s remarks came in response to a proposal by PKR Youth committee member P. Nanthakumar, who suggested implementing a legalisation programme to register houses of worship with local councils. This initiative aims to ensure that such institutions are not operating illegally.
The proposal followed the planned relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple to make way for a mosque, a decision that sparked public backlash and raised questions about the temple’s legal status. Ti believes that tensions could have been mitigated if the temple’s legality had been affirmed from the beginning.
“It would be easier to manage sentiments and resolve the dispute if authorities are required to preserve, replace or recognise the existence or rights of a house of worship that’s been built on state or private lands pre-Merdeka days,” Ti stated.
He warned that failing to address these legal uncertainties could lead to continuous conflict among different communities over perceived rights infringements or violations of the rule of law. Such disputes, he noted, are often politicised, further complicating resolution efforts.
The call for a structured legalisation programme reflects broader concerns about maintaining harmony and ensuring the equitable treatment of all religious communities in Malaysia.