Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Christian Cabinet members have met with the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) to discuss enhancing the mechanism for allocating development funds for non-Muslim places of worship, particularly under the upcoming State Budget 2027.
The landmark session was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam alongside state ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who proposed introducing scholarships or study aid for church leaders pursuing theological studies.
Ewon said the engagement served as a crucial platform to address the needs of non-Muslim houses of worship while strengthening ties between the state government and religious institutions.
SCC president Bishop Wong Pui Kong welcomed the study aid proposal and commended the state government for upholding religious freedom and fostering interfaith harmony across Sabah's diverse communities.
The meeting was attended by representatives from major Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Anglican Diocese, SIB, and Basel Christian Church, with future sessions set to continue as a regular dialogue platform.