Hee (centre) presenting a cheque to a representative of one of the 44 churches that are receiving aid from Selangor government. At left is Sha’walludin.
FORTY-FOUR churches received RM462,000 under the Selangor government’s RM8mil allocation for non-Muslim houses of worship in the state.
Selangor tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee caretaker chairman Hee Loy Sian said another RM290,000 would be presented at a later date for 33 more churches that had applied for the aid under a second phase.
He said the cash aid was meant for the development and empowerment of each house of worship.
Hee, who is co-chairman for the Special Committee on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Limas), said the organisation was established to solve problems that the houses of worship might encounter.
“This committee will continue to support the aspirations of the state government in forming a developed state supported by a community that has an intact and strong spiritual foundation as a result of the formation of excellent religious institutions,” he said.
He hoped that the state government’s assistance and allocations every year would be put to good use by the various houses of worship.
“Raise the children and young people as well as empower the elderly with a life based on spirituality, so that the impact of progress can be balanced with a quality and harmonious life,” he said.
Hee was speaking to reporters after a ceremony to present the aid to the representatives of the churches in Shah Alam.
Selangor Economic Planning Unit (Upen) local authority unit deputy director Mohd Sha’walludin Aziz was also present at the event.
“It is hoped that these selected people will be able to take full advantage of the financial aid to improve the facilities of their respective houses of worship,” he said. — By NUR FAIEZATUL HUSNA
