Sabah Government Hands Over RM12.5 Million To Schools, Non-Muslim Religious Bodies

Penampang Anglo Chinese Primary School's Parent Teachers Association Chairman Dr. Cecilia Chong receive cheque from Musa Aman

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government on Wednesday handed over funds totalling RM2.86 million to 72 government-aided schools and RM9.64 million to 51 non-Muslim religious bodies in the west coast of the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the funds were the state government's annual assistance for schools and religious bodies to cover their expenses, mainly for development and repair works that would allow the organisations and schools to carry out their work effectively.

"Despite the pressing need for funds for a host of other socio-economic programmes, the state government has decided that education is vital to the growth of the nation and must be developed.

"Allocation for non-Muslim religious bodies is reflective of the government's pledge to uphold religious freedom.

"We hope religious bodies will continue to encourage spiritual development among the people, especially in this day and age when social ills seem to be on the rise," he said at the presentation of cheques to the schools and religious bodies at the State Assembly building, here.

Musa, who is also state finance minister, said the state government was aware of the important role of non-Muslim religious bodies, some of which were directly involved in the development of special assistance schools.

-- BERNAMA