KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 -- Malaysia is preparing to roll out a national planning guideline for non-Muslim cemeteries, crematoria and columbarium facilities, in an effort to tighten rules on how such developments are sited and managed.

According to The Star, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the draft guideline is being developed by the Department of Town and Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia (PLANMalaysia) to strengthen planning standards for burial and cremation facilities nationwide.

He said the framework would require planners to take into account a wide range of factors before approval is granted.

"Site selection must also avoid high-risk areas such as flood-prone zones, landslide-prone areas, and locations t...