Yeoh said the government is taking a structured, prudent and fair approach to the issue of unauthorised non-Muslim houses of worship, while considering community needs and the existing legal framework.

“The federal territories department is developing a map of unauthorised non-Muslim houses of worship according to parliamentary constituencies,” she said in a Facebook post after chairing a meeting of the federal territories non-Muslim houses of worship committee today.

Yeoh said the government would establish 11 sub-committees chaired by MPs in their respective constituencies to lead discussions with stakeholders, including the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

She said the housing and local government ministry is also refining guidelines for the management of non-Muslim houses of worship to ensure a more coordinated nationwide approach.

She announced an immediate freeze on any new construction or expansion of such sites to prevent new cases of encroachment and the expansion of existing structures without permission onto government land.

“All constructions or additions will be subject to enforcement action by local authorities in accordance with the prevailing regulations,” she said.