THE Selangor state government together with the Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Tao Religious Affairs (LIMAS) EXCO line-up are always committed to resolving issues surrounding houses of worship, including that of unauthorised temples comprehensively, in stages and in accordance with the law.
We have successfully resolved several issues while efforts to resolve other issues are also underway. I believe that with the cooperation of all parties, issues related to temples can be resolved in stages and within a reasonable period of time.
However, such sensitive issues should not be used to the point of drowning out larger issues related to trust and public money.
If we are so vocal about raising the issue of unauthorised temples, we also need to dare to query about the issue of management and governance of institutions involving public money, including questions arising from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji.
Question of trustworthiness
We are talking about money collected from ordinary people. There are savers consisting of farmers, fishermen, hawkers, lower-income workers and middle-income families who save little by little, perhaps RM10, RM50 or RM100 at a time with the full hope of performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
When this money is collected from millions of savers, the amount becomes very large. Therefore, every decision involving depositors’ money must be managed with full trust, transparency and accountability.
I do not want us to change the narrative to the point where sensitive issues are used to divert attention from the bigger issue.
If we want to talk about trusts, let us talk about trust all the way. If we want to talk about money belonging to the rakyat, let us defend by all means the rakyat’s money regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
My commitment is that the temple issue can be resolved.
I personally believe that with proper planning, good negotiations and cooperation from all quarters, many of the issues that have been lingering can be resolved in stages.
If given space and cooperation, I believe that within 10 years we will be able to achieve a more comprehensive solution to the issues of houses of worship that are still pending.
But the issue regarding Tabung Haji depositors’ money cannot be left alone. If there are weaknesses in governance, problematic investment decisions or losses involving depositors’ money, the rakyat deserve a clear explanation.
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The rakyat also deserve to know who is responsible and what steps are being taken to ensure that the same thing does not happen again.
Let’s not try to fool the rakyat by swaying the issue. The people today are becoming more mature and are able to distinguish between political propaganda and real issues that affect their interests.
This is not a matter of race. This is not a matter of religion. This is also not a matter of politics alone. This is a matter of trust, accountability and justice to the people who have entrusted their money to the institution that is supposed to look after their interests.
If we really want to talk about trust, then that trust must be defended comprehensively. Don’t just be firm when it involves issues that easily arouse the people’s emotions but remain silent when bigger issues involving the rakyat‘s money and their interests are questioned.
We may have different political views but the principles must be the same, money belonging to the rakyat must be safeguarded, the trust must be defended and any abuse of power or weaknesses in governance must be investigated regardless of who is involved.
The rakyat deserve answers. The rakyat deserve to demand justice. And the rakyat deserve to ensure that every sen they entrust is managed responsibly. – Aug 15, 2026
Selangor Human Resources and Poverty Eradication state EXCO and Banting state assemblyman Papparaidu Veraman is also co-chairman of the Selangor State Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Taoist Religious Affairs (LIMAS).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Vetri Online/Facebook
