Non-Islamic places of worship can seek assistance from Penang govt

GEORGE TOWN: Committees of non-Islamic places of worship can seek assistance from the Penang government if they are carrying out maintenance, repairs, renovations and expansion work on such premises.
State Ribi coordination committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said all they needed to do was to follow the procedures by submitting the proper documentation to the committee for approval.
Jagdeep, who is also state housing committee chairman, said the state has taken over the authority of overseeing the trust fund for non-Islamic houses of worship (Ribi) from the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council about three months ago.
Of the 25 applications received, the state has given the green light to 11 applications comprising of six Buddhist/Taoist temples, three churches, a Hindu and a Sikh temple since it took control of the fund which has some RM6 million, he added.
He was speaking to reporters today after performing the ground breaking ceremony of a Taoist temple, costing RM500,000, here.
Contributions to the fund came from developers who apply to be exempted from providing land for non-Islamic places of worship.
Jagdeep said developers need to adhere to the guidelines and contribute to the fund when any project is to be built.