GEORGE TOWN, April 19 — Caretaker Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched today a Harmony Centre for non-Islam religious bodies in the state.

The state government has allocated RM3 million to refurbish and expand centre, located on the grounds of an existing 4,300 sq ft bungalow along Scotland Road.

"It will be a second home for all religious bodies other than Islam in Penang,” he said at the launch this morning.

The centre is meant to provide the space for all religious bodies other than Islam to carry out activities ranging from yoga lessons, meditation sessions, arts and music, religious talks to seminars, conventions and meetings.

The centre will be managed by the state executive councillor in charge of the Penang non-Islamic religions portfolio.

"The centre will have offices, function rooms, dining areas and conference rooms,” Lim said.

He said a new building of 2,800 sqft will be built beside the existing building to be used as a community hall for events.

The centre is expected to have a capacity of 300 persons at once, he added.

The Harmony Centre is expected to be opened by February next year.

Lim who is also DAP secretary-general said the centre is one of the state’s measures to uphold the Federal Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of worship.

The other measures introduced by the Pakatan Harapan state government included establishing a portfolio for religions other than Islam, allocating lands for places of worship for religions other than Islam and allocating RM30 million to these places of worship since 2008.