New guidelines for non-Muslim cemeteries, crematoria in the works

PETALING JAYA: A national planning guideline for non-Muslim burial grounds, crematoria, and columbaria is being drafted by the town and country planning department, says the housing and local government ministry.

In a written parliamentary reply, minister Nga Kor Ming said the guidelines would require planners to consider public health, safety, land-use suitability, topography, soil structure, and accessibility when selecting sites.

He said sites must avoid risk-prone areas such as flood zones, landslide areas, and locations that could have negative effects on the environment and residents.

Once finalised, the guidelines will require a minimum 30m buffer zone between crematorium sites and development boundaries, and bar crematoria from residential, commercial, recreational, or tourism zones, he added.

“Oil or diesel-fuelled crematoria may be planned within heavy industrial zones. Open-air cremation is permitted in rural/village areas but not on peatland,” he said.

Nga said operators must also comply with environment department requirements, including installing approved emission-control systems to filter smoke and ash, and ensuring that post-cremation effluent is not discharged into rivers, drains, or public sewerage systems.

“On community involvement, residents’ views and feedback may also be considered by the local authority in the evaluation of a development proposal, in line with the applicable laws and procedures,” he added.

Nga was responding to Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing), who asked for an outline of the guidelines, approval conditions, and standard operating procedures for crematorium construction near residential areas, including minimum distance requirements, environmental impact assessments, and air pollution controls.

He said the ministry would continue ensuring that crematorium developments comply with laws and guidelines while taking local sensitivities into account.