SANDAKAN: The Sabah state government has allocated RM4.625 million for schools and non Islamic religious bodies for the Sandakan region this year out of the RM31.398 million disbursed for the whole state.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said, of the sum, RM1.715 million was meant for schools, including Chinese independent, mission schools and kindergartens.
He said the allocation for non Islamic religious bodies for Sandakan region was RM2.910 million.
“This allocation will benefit 37 schools and kindergartens as well as 63 places of worship, including 45 churches, 16 Chinese temples and two Hindu and Sikh temples,” he said at the Sabah state goverment financial assistance presentation ceremony to schools and non Islamic religious bodies for Sandakan Region here, today.
Musa said a total of 567 places of worship and schools in Sabah are benefitting from the overall grant.
He said the Sabah state government would continue to assist non Islamic religious bodies and schools.
“Our record shows that RM171.107 million has been disbursed to non Islamic religious bodies in Sabah since 2004, and RM131. 443 million was allocated to schools,” he added.
The chief minister said the large allocation for non Islamic religious bodies is reflective of the government’s commitment in upholding religious freedom.
“There is no discrimination and it is my hope that all parties act responsibly when discussing issues related to the rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Musa hoped that schools and non Islamic religious bodies that received allocations would be able to implement programmes and activities successfully.-- BERNAMA