KIULU: The Sabah government should consider increasing its allocation for non-Muslim bodies in the state as a show of appreciation for their role in promoting greater communal cohesion, said state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The Kiulu assemblyman said he believed that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has their best interests at heart and would consider increasing allocations for non-Muslim religious bodies as state revenues increase.
"The state government recognises the importance of supporting non-Muslim religious institutions, as these funds can assist in the upkeep and repair works of churches or temples and aid their social service programmes," he said.
He conveyed this to the St Vitus Poturidong Church management committee here, where he approved RM23,000 from his assemblyman's allocation to help the church with the necessary repair work.
During the meeting, the group voiced concerns over growing sentiments against non-Muslims, particularly in the peninsula, and sought Joniston's perspective on the matter.
As a multiethnic society, Joniston maintained that Sabah has always fostered a climate of religious tolerance, as reflected in the proximity of its many temples, churches and mosques.
"Sabah has long been a welcoming place for people of different faiths to live together, and this tolerance is essential to the state's continued stability.
"We must not allow differences in this area to drive us apart. We must continue to lead by example in fostering religious plurality and tolerance in Sabah, where intolerance and bigotry of any kind have no place.
"This can lead to greater understanding and respect between different religious groups, which can, in turn, contribute to social harmony," he said.