All existing places of worship on ANY land should not be demolished.

It is good that the government has finally come to its senses with regard to them temples and places of worship...

ALL Hindu temples on government land situated in commercial zones in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 would not be demolished, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said.

He said if temples situated on government land were affected by development projects undertaken by the Government, they would be given an alternative site for relocation, reported Malaysia Nanban.

He added that prior approval from City Hall was required for new temples to be built, even on private land.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after meeting representatives of the Malaysian Hindu Council over the draft, Saravanan said the ministry would allow the various communities to build their houses of worship in housing estates. - Star, 8/9/2008 Temples in draft plan will not be demolished

BUT this is not good enough ----

1 - the policy should not just be limited to Hindu Temples - but to all temples, churches, masjids, suraus, chapels, kuils..

2 - Even if it is not now on government land, it should not be demolished especially if it has been in existance for more than 10 years...

3 - This should also be extended to crematoriums, burial sites, grotos, etc...

4 - This policy must not only be with regard to KL or Federal Territories but must be for the whole of Malaysia. Good if the relevant Minister or Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could give all Malaysians this assurance..

5 - With regard to places of worships that have been demolished over the past 5 years - immediate steps should be taken to find alternative new sites, and the government must assist also financially to ensure these places of worship gets built...

6 - Just talk by the Minister or the PM is not really good enough - we may need an Act to protect places of worship, burial grounds, etc...

7 - Even with regard to existing places of worship, the government must provide a certain yearly allocation of funds to assist in the maintenance and upkeep.

8 - With regard to burial grounds - the government should ensure that they are maintained in good condition. many burial grounds are overgrown with bushes, etc - Responsibility for maintenance maybe should be with the Local Councils...