Well Known Activist Calls on Selangor to Rescind Controversial Restriction on Christian Houses of Worship

Borneo Herald 

6.35AM MYT, 13-6-2026

Dr Kanul Gindol says Selangor should permanently subscribe to inclusive governance and take into account Malaysia's multi-religious approaches framework of its Federal Constitution.

 

By Dr Kanul Gindol, Kota Belud 

Many in Sabah and Sarawak are deeply concerned by the PH-led Selangor State Government’s recent decision to introduce discriminating guidelines that seek to prohibit non-Muslim houses of worship in commercial shophouse premises. 

Christians in Peninsular, including many of them are from Borneo, for decades, hold worships and prayers at these premises as only these spaces are viable and available option for them, due to the chronic shortage of gazetted land for Christian or non-Muslim religious use.

 

The Selangor guideline is unfair, unequal, and contrary to the Malaysia’s sacrosanct constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

 

We urge the Selangor state political leaders, be they from the ruling PH or the Opposition, and the state government unite to fully withdraw this discriminatory clause, always consult all stakeholders transparently and considerately, and permanently subscribe to inclusive governance that respect every faith’s right to worship in peace and dignity. Selangor must remain a home for all.

 

 

 Versi Bahasa Melayu

 

Mengenai Cadangan Sekatan Rumah Ibadat Bukan Islam di Rumah Kedai di Selangor

 

Kami amat prihatin terhadap garis panduan kerajaan negeri Selangor pimpinan PH yang cuba melarang rumah ibadat bukan Islam beroperasi di kawasan komersial/kedai rumah. Selama ini, premis ini menjadi satu-satunya pilihan kerana tanah khas untuk ibadat bukan Islam sangat terhad dan sukar diperoleh.

 

Peraturan ini tidak adil, diskriminatif dan bertentangan dengan hak beragama yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

 

Kami mendesak pemimpin politik dari PH mahupun Pembangkang, serta kerajaan negeri Selangor supaya bersatu membatalkan klausa ini sepenuhnya, mengadakan perbincangan telus dan penuh pertimbangan dengan semua pihak, sentiasa mengamalkan tata kelola yang inklusif dan saksama bagi semua agama. Selangor mesti kekal sebagai negeri yang inklusif dan menghormati kebebasan beribadat setiap warganya.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Dr Kanul Gindol is a well-known Sabah Community and Political Activist, and is also a long time chairman-founder of Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo#~Borneo Herald™