BN supports religious freedom – Musa

Sandakan: Barisan Nasional (BN) is committed to supporting religious freedom, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said all religious bodies play an important role in influencing noble practices and positive actions in society.
“I believe the noble appreciation and practices observed by religions and the roles played by religious bodies will reduce and overcome various social problems, especially ones involving the teens of today,” said Musa.
Stating this at the presentation of cheques to schools and religious bodies at Taman Indah Jaya Recreation Club here yesterday, the Chief Minister said he hoped the large allocation to non-Islamic religious bodies would prove BN’s support of religious freedom.
Part of the RM30.9 million allocation was handed to religious bodies in the west coast last Friday while the east coast received its share yesterday.
Out of the RM30.9 million, RM3.6 million was allocated to 49 non-Islamic religious bodies in Sandakan and Tawau while 82 independent Chinese and missionary schools from the region received RM3.7 million.
“Education is essential for the growth of the nation and to ensure schools are able to produce quality human capital. We must do what we can to support kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools.
“The BN government will continue to focus on education development at all levels, and we are also constantly striving to bridge the gap between facilities in urban and rural areas,” said Musa.
He added that the state government was constantly working with the federal Ministry of Education to improve the standard of education in remote locations where better facilities were needed.
Musa also encouraged students in Sabah to study hard and contribute towards the nation’s development.
“We need knowledgeable workers in driving the economy and here in Sabah, we will continue to need a workforce that is able to participate in new and exciting economic spin-offs, including from the oil and gas sector that is being aggressively developed,” he said.
Among those present at the event were Batu Sapi member of parliament Datin Linda Tsen, Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Khoo, Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang, Sabah Dong Zong president Tan Sri Liew Sui Fatt and Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Pang Yuk Ming.