The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government is committed to improving the quality of human capital and ensuring the wellbeing of the people, one of the three thrusts of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 2021-2025 development plan.
This is evident in the RM164.12 million allocated for education and religious development programmes in the State this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the allocation was channelled to the relevant government agencies, religious and educational bodies.
“In line with the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) spirit, the allocation will benefit all religions and races in the State,” he said at the presentation ceremony of financial assistance to vernacular and mission schools, churches and temples for 2021 and handing over of lions in conjunction with the 2022 Chinese New Year celebrations at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, on Jan 13.
Hajiji said for this year, the State Government also agreed to allocate RM47 million for non-Muslim religious bodies, as well as for vernacular, mission and private schools.
The amount is the largest ever approved and it reflected the sincerity of the Sabah Government towards of all races and religions in the State.
The State Government also allocated RM1 million to be distributed to various associations and lion dance groups in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration in Sabah.
Last year, the State Government allocated RM43 million for non-Muslim religious bodies, vernacular, missionary and private schools in Sabah, apart from RM24.99 million for the construction and repair of non-Muslim houses of worship.
The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) praised the gesture saying it should be emulated by other states in Malaysia that held been with never-ending issues concerning racing and religious tolerance.
Hajiji said the GRS Government has achieved many successes since taking over the administration with the full mandate from the people after the elections.
He said it is the State Government’s hope that the people will continue to support it by becoming a partner in progress to realise the government’s development agenda.
“It is my aspiration as Chief Minister to chart a development path for Sabah and rakyat. For this purpose, we have launched the five-year development roadmap, Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya last year,” he said.
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