Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Idris Ahmad (pic) paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor on Friday.
The meeting involved discussions on ideas and suggestions to improve the management and development of Sabah’s Islamic affairs.
During the meeting, he handed over mock cheque of the Federal Government’s allocation for Sabah’s Islamic affairs amounting to RM58.54 million.
During Idris’ visit to the Sabah, various welfare programmes were implemented such as a donation of three ICU bed units to the State Health Department, and a boat donation handover ceremony to the Kota Kinabalu Fire Department in collaboration with YaPIEM and Alliance Bank.
“Hopefully, we can further strengthen the good relationship between the Federal Government and the State Government which will bring benefits to the people,” he said.
To end his working visit, Idris attended the ‘Dekat Di Hati Anak Malaysia’ programme together with Sabah Institute of Islamic Studies and Dakwah (IPDAS) and FELDA Sahabat settlers, Lahad Datu.
During the ceremony, he announced a contribution of RM2.38 million from Yayasan Taqwa-MAIWP for the “Let’s Go to School 2022” programme to be channelled to 14,000 students from underprivileged families.
Meanwhile, Idris said his Ministry is committed to mobilising religious agencies as facilitators of the people’s needs.
“There are agencies that provide allocations to start small businesses through the Malaysia Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM), help the affected people and those with low incomes with financial assistance through the Zakat Centre.
“During meetings with agencies under my ministry I often remind them to help people in distress,” said Idris who is also PAS Vice President, during a special meeting with the PAS Sabah leadership and members. Idris said in the near future, there would be assistance for selected underprivileged students under the Back To School programme for the 2022 school session throughout Malaysia.
Also present were Sabah PAS Commissioner Aminuddin Aling and PAS State Secretary Dr Aliakbar Gulasan.
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