KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — All new mosque and surau developments in the country must incorporate facilities and infrastructure that cater to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens to ensure places of worship are more inclusive and accessible, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said the requirement is in line with the existing legal framework, including the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, as well as universal design guidelines.

She said that, to date, the majority of mosques and surau registered under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) have already provided basic facilities for senior citizens and PWDs.

However, she said the government is now prioritising efforts to upgrade these facilities through existing funding mechanisms, including maintenance allocations, mosque funds, community contributions and financial assistance coordinated by the respective state religious authorities within their jurisdictions.

“Some mosques and surau have already provided the full range of facilities, including designated parking bays, accessible ablution areas and toilets, dedicated pathways, prayer chairs, Braille copies of the Quran, wheelchairs and automated external defibrillators (AED).

“However, the government will continue to enhance the provision of these facilities in stages, in line with projections by the Department of Statistics Malaysia that the country is expected to attain ageing nation status by 2030,” she said when replying to a question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading).

Marhamah said the government has introduced the Malaysian Mosque Rating Standard (SPMM) through strategic cooperation between the federal and state governments as an instrument to encourage mosque management committees to periodically improve inclusive infrastructure.

“Among the components assessed is the provision of infrastructure that is friendly to senior citizens and PWDs, thereby encouraging mosque management to continue improving facilities that are inclusive, safe and accessible to all congregants,” she said.

She added that the initiative is further strengthened through the Muslim PWD Religious Agencies Action Plan 2024-2028, which emphasises capacity building among mosque communities and the involvement of the PWD community as strategic partners. — Bernama