PUTRAJAYA, 28 May 2020:
A total of 174 non-Muslim houses of worship have been allowed to resume operations from June 10 according to the Standard Operating Procedure for Houses of Worship in Green Zones.
In a statement issued today, the Ministry of National Unity said their applications were approved according to the requirements of the SOP – such as the maximum number of 30 attendees, subject to the size of the premises.
It said the approval for their operations was given at the Special Ministerial Meeting on the Implementation of the Movement Control Order on May 21.
“The ministry wants to remind that only houses of worship which have been approved are allowed to operate on the days and times permitted, beginning June 10.”
These include the houses of worship under Fo Guang Shan; Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur; National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia; Malaysia Hindu Sangam; the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council, and the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia.
The statement also said the approval for other houses of worship to open must be applied through their respective religious bodies and forwarded to the Ministry of National Unity according to the procedure set after June 10.
“The ministry will take applications received to the Special Ministerial Meeting for approval from time to time.”
Meanwhile, marriage ceremonies in temples, churches and premises of religious associations are postponed until July 31, in accordance with the letter of the Head of National Registration dated May 12.
Non-Muslim houses of worship in Penang will require approval from the Ministry of Health before reopening to the public, says State Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng.
In a statement today, she emphasised the federal government’s announcement on the reopening of 174 religious sites on June 10 did not mean each religious site could be reopened automatically from that date.
Chong said non-Muslim religious organisations in Penang could submit an application to their respective religious representatives or through her office.
“The application will be sent to the Ministry of National Unity and obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Health before the reopening.”
The application can be submitted to religious representatives of each religious group, namely the Malaysian Buddhist Association, Christian Federation of Malaysia, Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Malaysian Gurdwaras Council and the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia.
Chong said that the state government had also provided an online form at https://bit.ly/3c4BoiD to ease the application process.
“If there are any further queries regarding the re-opening of houses of worship in Penang, kindly contact Paul Au (04-6505143/010-3759964).”
– Bernama