SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA February 13, 2026 – Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari chaired a meeting of the Selangor State National Security Council (MKN) to address the issue of unauthorised houses of worship that has sparked public unease, following the recent incident in Rawang.
In an official statement dated February 12, 2026, Amirudin explained that the meeting was also attended by the Selangor Chief of Police, Commander of Markas 11 Brigade, Yang Dipertua Majlis, and relevant district officers to discuss the state’s public security level.
The incident in Rawang on February 11, 2026, involving trespass and an attempt to demolish part of a Hindu temple built without approval, has caused concern and anxiety among the public. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is investigating the case and will proceed through the appropriate legal processes. Four individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and a backhoe was also seized.
Amirudin emphasised the need to address this issue promptly to prevent any event that could undermine the state’s harmony due to racial and religious factors.
Overall, there are two main issues involving unauthorised houses of worship:
1. Houses of worship occupying state government-owned land.
Amirudin has directed that existing procedures be enhanced, including immediate action by Local Authorities (PBT) and strengthening of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the LIMAS Committee (Selangor Five Religions Places of Worship Committee) to make them clearer and more effective.
2. Houses of worship built on privately-owned land.
The existing process requires the landowner to appoint a lawyer to obtain a court order to enable eviction and demolition. All parties are prohibited from taking independent action without going through the court process, in line with the National Land Code and related land laws.
The Selangor State MKN has decided on the following approach for landowners who discover encroachment and the construction of a house of worship without approval:
1. Immediately lodge a police report. This allows PDRM to investigate and, if the trespass offence is proven, initiate prosecution proceedings.
2. Send an official notice to the encroaching party and formally inform the District Office. The District Security Committee (JKD), chaired by the District Officer, has been activated in all districts in Selangor.
3. The JKD will act as mediator by summoning all involved parties—including the landowner, house of worship management, PDRM, and PBT—to reach a reasonable resolution.
If the mediation process does not yield results, the JKD will advise the landowner to proceed with court action.
This approach aims to ensure the entire process involves the authorities and prevents any incident that could spark riots or racial tensions.
“Issues related to religion and race are sensitive. We must take prudent steps through legal channels to safeguard harmony,” Amirudin stated in the announcement.
The statement was issued after the Rawang incident drew national attention, with Home Minister Dato’ Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail scheduled to brief the Cabinet on February 13, 2026.
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