Kota Kinabalu: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) Government has always strived to maintain good and friendly relations with all religious bodies in Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the Sabah Government under his leadership would uphold and protect religious freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution.
“Respecting each other’s belief (religion) has always been a pillar of our strength and unity in Sabah.
“Despite different religions and races, we in Sabah can live together in peace and harmony all this while. Therefore, we must protect this,” he said during a courtesy call from the Anglican Bishop, Sabah Diocese, The Most Reverend Datuk Melter Jiki Tais, and his entourage at his office in Menara Kinabalu, here.
The Chief Minister said the GRS-BN Government was also committed and continued to provide financial assistance to non-Muslim religious bodies and non-Muslim schools in Sabah.
According to Hajiji, in the Sabah 2022 Budget, the total allocation approved for providing financial assistance to non-Muslim religious bodies is RM27 million.
“As of May 2022, a total of RM2,403,150 in financial assistance has been given to non-Muslim schools through the Chief Minister’s special allocation.
“For non-Muslim religious bodies, a total of RM1,730,000 in financial assistance has been given through my special allocation during the same period,” he said.
Hajiji said personally, he is from a multi-racial and multi-religious family and practises the principle of respect in the family.
He also felt honoured and thanked for the invitation as the guest of honour at the Anglican Diocese’s 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Ceremony to be held on Aug 31, 2022.
Meanwhile, The Most Reverend Melter said the church supported the government of the day and the efforts made by the Government in developing Sabah and helping the people.
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