KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is in the process of amending guidelines for the applications for government assistance by non-Muslim houses of worship (RIBI), the Dewan Rakyat heard Monday (Nov 25).
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the amendments would include a regulation prohibiting applications from RIBIs that have already received government assistance.
"The amendments will stipulate that RIBIs which have received funding will be prohibited from submitting new applications for three years," she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Aiman Athirah was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran), who asked about the ministry's plans to ensure the allocation for RIBIs is not repeatedly granted to the same places of worship each year.
She added 422 out of 1,074 RIBI applications, involving a total allocation of RM46.1mil, were approved by the ministry as of Sept 30 this year.
Between June and the end of 2023, the ministry disbursed RM24.8mil to 205 RIBIs across the country.
"The ministry is committed to safeguarding the interests of all races and religions, reflecting the aspirations of civil and inclusive Malaysian society. This inclusivity ensures that all parties can benefit from government initiatives," she said.
She noted that the RIBI secretariat, originally under the National Unity Ministry (KPN) with an RM50mil allocation, was transferred to Housing and Local Government Ministry in June 2023.
"The ministry aims to assist 200 RIBIs next year, with each receiving a maximum allocation of RM250,000. This number could increase if the requested amounts fall below the set limit," she said.
For 2023, Negri Sembilan received the highest allocation, with 32 RIBIs granted RM5.7mil, followed by Perak with 32 RIBIs (RM3.3mil) and Selangor with 26 RIBIs (RM2.7mil).
As of Sept 30, 2024, Perak recorded the highest allocation with 87 RIBIs receiving RM8.9mil, followed by Selangor with 60 RIBIs (RM6.2mil) and Johor with 48 RIBIs (RM5.7mil).
