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Non-Muslim houses of worship in Selangor will no longer be subject to height restrictions, under revised building guidelines that took effect this month.

The update, announced following a meeting between the Selangor state government and representatives from various faith communities on Sunday (21 June), also requires property developers to surrender at least 1.5 acres of land for non-Muslim religious use in new developments with at least 5,000 residents.

The meeting, the third of its kind, was held at Bangunan SSAAS in Shah Alam and chaired by state executive councillor Ng Sze Han.

Under the revised guidelines, buildings may be constructed at any height, provided the design is considered to be in harmony with the surrounding development.

Previous rules had imposed restrictions that faith communities said limited their ability to build.

Who It Leaves Out

Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties are now officially permitted to be used as non-Muslim places of worship — a recognition of the reality that many congregations have long operated out of shophouses and office buildings.

Access road and setback requirements have also been made more flexible, subject to approval from local councils and the State Special Committee for Non-Islamic Affairs (LIMAS), which will serve as a mediator in disputes between property owners and local authorities.

Developers are also required to provide infrastructure, such as access roads, water, and electricity, along with the land they surrender.

The guidelines apply only to new developments.

Existing houses of worship will not be affected by the changes, meaning congregations that have spent years seeking formal recognition for their current premises will need to pursue separate channels.

A Reversal Of Contested Rules

Under the previous draft guidelines, non-Muslim houses of worship in Selangor were restricted to a height of 72 feet (approximately 21.9 metres) to maintain uniformity with mosques in the vicinity.

The earlier framework had also been criticised for barring worship spaces from commercial zones and for being seen as discriminatory by interfaith councils and community stakeholders.

The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) said it welcomed the revisions, describing them as “more inclusive and fair.”

CCM extends our deep appreciation to the Selangor State Exco for listening to the concerns of the non-Muslim communities.

Ng, who is also state chairman of Selangor DAP, told faith leaders at the meeting that the state government had kept its promise to review and update the guidelines, incorporating feedback gathered from previous rounds of consultation.

The revised guidelines apply only to Selangor and take immediate effect as of June; the full guidelines will be published separately.

The revisions are a direct response to the Selangor State Planning Guidelines and Standards for Community Facilities 2025, an earlier draft which had proposed barring non-Muslim houses of worship from commercial zones and restricting building heights, drawing widespread criticism from faith communities.

@ramthenaidu Based on the reports and discussions around the Selangor State Planning Guidelines and Standards for Community Facilities 2025, the controversial proposed requirements for non-Muslim houses of worship include the following: Proposed Requirements 1. Population Ratio Requirement * Provision for approximately 1 non-Muslim house of worship per 5,000 residents (about 1,250 households). 2. Commercial Area Restrictions * New non-Muslim houses of worship would generally not be allowed in commercial zones. * Existing commercial buildings or shoplots generally cannot be converted into houses of worship under the proposed framework. 3. Height Restrictions * Maximum building height of approximately 72 feet (21.9 metres). * A non-Muslim house of worship must not be taller than any mosque located within the same or neighbouring development area. 4. Land Size Requirements * Recommended land allocation between 0.1 hectare and 0.2 hectare for future developments. 5. Road Access Requirements * Direct access from major roads may not be preferred. * Service roads are proposed to improve traffic flow and parking management. #tiktok #malaysia #fyp ♬ original sound – Project Wolf

READ MORE: Selangor Halts Shoplot Worship Ban After Public Outcry

READ MORE: Selangor Approved House Of Worship Guidelines Without Asking Non-Muslim Affairs Committee?

READ MORE: Selangor Won’t Shut Down Shoplot Temples And Churches — But Groups Want More Than Just A Promise

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