KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government on Friday handed over funds totalling RM30.9 million to 140 non-Islamic religious bodies and 266 schools including Chinese independent and mission schools in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the religious bodies including churches, Chinese temples and other non-Muslim places of worship will collectively receive a sum of RM18 million while schools have been allocated RM12.9 million.
“Of the above sum, non-Islamic religious organisation in the West Coast, Kudat and interior regions will receive RM14.5 million while similar bodies in Sandakan and Tawau are allocated RM3.6 million.
Schools in the West Coast, Kudat and interior regions will get RM9.2 million and those allocated in Sandakan and Tawau will receive a sum of RM3.8 million,” he said at the presentation of cheques to the schools and religious bodies at the State Assembly building, here.
Musa, who is also state Finance Minister, said the large allocation for non-Islamic religious bodies was reflective of the Barisan Nasional government’s commitment in upholding religious freedom in the country. — BERNAMA