KOTA KINABALU: A sum of RM21.6mil in financial aid from the Sabah state government was handed to non-Muslim religious bodies and mission schools under Sabah's west coast south zone on Tuesday (Oct 31).
Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun presented the assistance in a ceremony. It was distributed among 129 schools (RM7.77mil), 531 churches (RM10.92mil), 51 Buddhist temples (RM2.63mil) and four Hindu temples (RM270,000).
"This is the first session which covers Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan districts under this zone.
"It will be followed by five other sessions for other zones (west coast north, upper interior, lower interior, east coast (Sandakan) and east coast (Tawau)," he added.
Masidi stressed the state government's policy on equality and giving assistance disregarding race or religious background.
"I hope the aid can reduce the burden of the schools and religious bodies in their infrastructure improvement and development," added Masidi.
He also said applications for such financial aid for 2024 will be open starting Jan 2 until March 31 next year.
For 2023, the state government has allowed RM54.05mil for this purpose, with RM23mil going to schools and the remainder to non-Muslim religious bodies.
There were 1,810 approvals consisting of 346 schools and 1,464 religious bodies.
