KUALA LUMPUR — Police have yet to approve a controversial rally against so-called “illegal” houses of worship scheduled for this Saturday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said.
Speaking to Scoop, Fadil said the organisers had submitted a notice under the Peaceful Assembly Act to the Dang Wangi police headquarters, but authorities are still reviewing the plans to ensure the event could be conducted peacefully without stirring religious or racial tensions.
“At this stage, nothing has been confirmed yet. Give us time. Dang Wangi police are reviewing the organisers’ submissions to ensure that, if this rally goes ahead, it is conducted peacefully and does not stir religious or racial tensions,” he said.
Fadil stressed that strict requirements must be met before any approval is granted, including detailed logistical plans, crowd management measures, and assurances that the rally will not inflame sensitivities.
“If the organisers cannot satisfy these requirements, their plans to hold the rally will be cancelled,” he added.
“Our priority is public safety and maintaining harmony. We will not compromise on that.”
The KL police chief reiterated that authorities are committed to engaging with all parties but will base any decision on legal compliance and assessments of public safety.
While discussions with organisers continue, PAS Selangor has said that it will not prevent its members or leaders from attending the rally, even as other parties have urged caution.
In contrast, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has taken a firmer stance.
MIPP president P. Punithan has written to the leaders of Perikatan Nasional (PN), including PAS and Bersatu urging them to bar their members from joining the planned gathering to avoid communal or political fallout.
Punithan said the rally, framed as opposing “illegal” houses of worship, could exploit religious sentiment and threaten national harmony, peace, and security.
The party has also written to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), requesting authorities intervene to stop the rally altogether.
The rally is reportedly organised by a coalition of around 140 non-governmental organisations to pressure authorities to act against buildings described by activists as “illegal houses of worship”, particularly temples allegedly constructed without proper land documentation or official approval.
The movement is led by Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth, who heads the Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship Movement and confirmed that police had been notified of the event as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act.
Civil society groups have criticised the campaign. Human rights watchdog Pusat Komas warned that the focus on “illegal temples” could “stoke communal tensions” and urged that disputes over places of worship be approached with historical understanding and resolved peacefully. — February 5, 2026
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