Preserving heritage of religious buildings

Like other buildings, church buildings or other religious buildings can be designated as a heritage site if they have natural heritage or cultural heritage significance.

This is covered in the National Heritage Act (Act 645) which was gazetted on Dec 31, 2005, and came into effect on Mar 1, 2006. The Act provides for the creation of a National Heritage Register which can be inspected by the members of the public. This register will be administered by the newly-created National Heritage Department under the Ministry, which is headed by the Heritage Commissioner, Prof. Dato’ Siti Zuraina Abdul Majid.

Find out more about how you can play a role in nominating sites to be included in the register. You may read the Act on the Parliament of Malaysia website – www.parlimen.gov.my

The act can also be purchased from the Government Printers at RM13.50 a copy.