Temple on govt land demolished after multiple engagements, says Perlis exco
Hariz Mohd
Published: Aug 22, 2026 1:38 PM
Updated: 4:45 PM
The Perlis state government has defended the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kangar on Thursday, saying the action was carried out in accordance with the law.
State exco Izizam Ibrahim, whose portfolio includes religious and local government affairs, said the Veeramakaliamman Temple was built on state land without a permit.
He said the state government held several engagement sessions with the temple management committee before the demolition and advised it to find a suitable alternative site.
“Regarding this temple, the decision (to demolish) was not reached in just a day or two. We have looked into the matter from many aspects, including the law, on what I would describe as occupying a land plot without permission.
“If we look from the perspective of religion, mosques are also required to get approval from many agencies, especially concerning land and other issues. The same requirement applies to other houses of worship.
“On the demolition of this temple, we carried out many engagement sessions involving the relevant agencies and departments,” the Titi Tinggi assemblyperson told Malaysiakini.
Izizam (above) was responding to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who on Aug 20 condemned the Perlis administration over the demolition.
Rayer described the action as deeply regrettable and warned that Malaysians should not allow Perikatan Nasional to take federal power, describing the coalition as “insensitive and inconsiderate towards a plural society, other ethnic groups, and religions”.
Published: Aug 22, 2026 1:38 PM
Updated: 4:45 PM
The Perlis state government has defended the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kangar on Thursday, saying the action was carried out in accordance with the law.
State exco Izizam Ibrahim, whose portfolio includes religious and local government affairs, said the Veeramakaliamman Temple was built on state land without a permit.
He said the state government held several engagement sessions with the temple management committee before the demolition and advised it to find a suitable alternative site.
“Regarding this temple, the decision (to demolish) was not reached in just a day or two. We have looked into the matter from many aspects, including the law, on what I would describe as occupying a land plot without permission.
“If we look from the perspective of religion, mosques are also required to get approval from many agencies, especially concerning land and other issues. The same requirement applies to other houses of worship.
“On the demolition of this temple, we carried out many engagement sessions involving the relevant agencies and departments,” the Titi Tinggi assemblyperson told Malaysiakini.
Izizam (above) was responding to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who on Aug 20 condemned the Perlis administration over the demolition.
Rayer described the action as deeply regrettable and warned that Malaysians should not allow Perikatan Nasional to take federal power, describing the coalition as “insensitive and inconsiderate towards a plural society, other ethnic groups, and religions”.
Jelutong MP RSN Rayer
Izizam said the state had no issue with non-Muslims building houses of worship, but urged them to ensure they legally acquired the land first.
He noted that Perlis also has churches and tokong (Chinese temples), including a large one in his constituency.
“Like us (Muslims), our mosques are built on wakaf (donated land). Many churches are set up inside buildings.
“There is a large tokong in my constituency, but all their affairs are legal as they own the land, so there is no issue with them building there,” he said.
Other groups defend demolition
The Umno ulama council and Perlis PKR Youth have also defended the state government’s action.
In a statement, Umno ulama council deputy chairperson Khairuddin Aman Razali said non-Muslims were free to practise their religions but remained subject to the law.
Izizam said the state had no issue with non-Muslims building houses of worship, but urged them to ensure they legally acquired the land first.
He noted that Perlis also has churches and tokong (Chinese temples), including a large one in his constituency.
“Like us (Muslims), our mosques are built on wakaf (donated land). Many churches are set up inside buildings.
“There is a large tokong in my constituency, but all their affairs are legal as they own the land, so there is no issue with them building there,” he said.
Other groups defend demolition
The Umno ulama council and Perlis PKR Youth have also defended the state government’s action.
In a statement, Umno ulama council deputy chairperson Khairuddin Aman Razali said non-Muslims were free to practise their religions but remained subject to the law.
Umno ulama council deputy chairperson Khairuddin Aman Razali
Echoing Izizam’s point on legal procedures, he said mosques and surau were also subject to rules and regulations set by Islamic affairs and local authorities.
Places of worship should not be allowed on reserved land without permission, as doing so would constitute encroachment on government property, Khairuddin said.
“When my friend Rayer from DAP questions the enforcement action against the Veeramakaliamman Temple in Bukit Lagi, Perlis, it is sending a wrong message on his position as a lawmaker and a lawyer by profession,” he said.
‘Don’t politicise religion’
Perlis PKR Youth chief Azzin Izzad Bahanudin urged all parties not to turn the issue into a religious or racial polemic, warning that it could create tension in society.
He said the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion did not mean laws governing land ownership and construction could be disregarded.
“At the same time, Perlis PKR Youth continues to uphold the rights of the Hindu community and followers of other religions to practise their respective faiths.
“Any enforcement involving places of worship must also be carried out with prudence and sensitivity.
“Do not politicise religion. Respect the law, respect religious rights, and preserve harmony,” Azzin said in a statement.
Echoing Izizam’s point on legal procedures, he said mosques and surau were also subject to rules and regulations set by Islamic affairs and local authorities.
Places of worship should not be allowed on reserved land without permission, as doing so would constitute encroachment on government property, Khairuddin said.
“When my friend Rayer from DAP questions the enforcement action against the Veeramakaliamman Temple in Bukit Lagi, Perlis, it is sending a wrong message on his position as a lawmaker and a lawyer by profession,” he said.
‘Don’t politicise religion’
Perlis PKR Youth chief Azzin Izzad Bahanudin urged all parties not to turn the issue into a religious or racial polemic, warning that it could create tension in society.
He said the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion did not mean laws governing land ownership and construction could be disregarded.
“At the same time, Perlis PKR Youth continues to uphold the rights of the Hindu community and followers of other religions to practise their respective faiths.
“Any enforcement involving places of worship must also be carried out with prudence and sensitivity.
“Do not politicise religion. Respect the law, respect religious rights, and preserve harmony,” Azzin said in a statement.
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