Wednesday April 2, 2008
Pahang to adopt liberal approach on religion
KUANTAN: The state government will adopt a more liberal approach to matters concerning religion and places of worship.
State secretary Datuk Muhammad Safian Ismail said they planned to improve the system and administration processes pertaining to applications related to places of worship.
“In the past, there were some glitches and we intend to improve the system and administration processes.
“The committee on places of worship for non-Muslims which I chair will meet more regularly,” he said during a dialogue with several representatives of the Kuantan Chinese Methodist Church members here.
Also present was MCA legal bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker, who brought up several related matters to Muhammad Safian.
Ti said in the past, the issue on places of worship was deemed “sensitive” and could not be debated in the open.
“Now, the time has changed and this
misconception should be corrected as under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, all
citizens are guaranteed the freedom to religion.
“What we are doing is to discuss our rights to renovate, expand and build places of
worship and what actually went wrong,” he said.
Citing an example, he said a church group had applied to the local authority in Cameron Highlands for years to build a church but was not given an approval.
He said in other instances, certain conditions were imposed by the authorities before approval was granted.
“These problems due to many factors such as individuals, administrative obstacles and delays should not have happened.
“We are glad that Muhammad Safian had given an undertaking to review the present approach and to give approval if all guidelines were adhered,” he said.
Pastor Lau Seng Lye said he was glad that the state government would be more open and accommodating on issues involving places of worship.
He said their church in Jalan Gambut could only take in 300 worshippers and would like to expand their premises.
Earlier, the church had submitted an application to expand their building but was rejected by the local council.
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