Malaysia's Hindu Sangam temple committee has petitioned the government for a six-month moratorium on demolitions of temples deemed illegal, citing the need for dialogue to resolve longstanding land ownership disputes that have pitted minority religious communities against local authorities.
The request follows a series of temple demolitions in recent years, with at least 15 Hindu temples razed since 2018 according to community organizations. Many of the structures date back decades or longer, built on land that was later rezoned or claimed by government or private developers.
"These temples are not just buildings — they're heritage sites built by our grandparents who came here as laborers," said R. Thangarajoo, president of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam. "We need time to work out legal solutions rather than watching bulldozers arrive at dawn."
The legal disputes stem from complex land tenure issues dating to British colonial administration, when Indian laborers brought to work rubber plantations and tin mines built temples on estate land. As estates were sold or subdivided over decades, many temples lacked formal title even though they'd operated for generations.
The government has argued that rule of law requires demolition of structures on land without proper permits, regardless of religious significance. But community advocates say the enforcement is selective and disproportionately affects Hindu temples compared to other religious structures with similar documentation issues.
The Malaysian Indian Congress, a component party in the ruling unity government, has endorsed the Hindu Sangam's request for a moratorium. The proposal calls for a joint committee to review disputed cases and explore solutions including land swaps, relocations with government assistance, or retroactive title grants where appropriate.
For Malaysia's approximately 2 million Hindus, who comprise about 6% of the population, the temple disputes underscore broader concerns about minority rights and religious freedom. The issue has gained political salience as the Indian Malaysian community becomes more assertive in pressing claims for equitable treatment.
Ten countries, 700 million people, one region — and in Malaysia, the question of who has the right to sacred space illuminates the unfinished business of reconciling colonial-era land arrangements with contemporary notions of religious and community rights.
