Sabah government to maintain good relationships with all religions

 By Olivia Miwil - December 16, 2020 @ 6:17pm

Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Noor witnessing the presentation of cheque by Datuk Masidi Manjun (left) to Archbishop Datuk John Wong (third left). Looking on are SCC President Bishop James Wong (second right) and Datuk Jerry Dusing (right). - NSTP/ ourtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's office

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will maintain good relationships with all faiths in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

"The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government will uphold and protect freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Constitution. Respecting the beliefs of one another has always been the pillar of Sabah's strength and unity.

"Despite differences in religion and race, we in Sabah have lived together in peace and harmony all this while. So, we must protect this," he said in a statement after a courtesy visit by the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) to the Chief Minister at the State Administrative Centre here.

Hajiji, who is also the state finance minister, assured the SCC that financial assistance would be continued under the GRS state government.

He said the state government would also support programmes organised by the churches, including Christmas celebrations.

Meanwhile, SCC also received RM16,920,000 during the visit.

Hajiji witnessed the cheque presentation by state Grant Committee chairman Datuk Masidi Manjun to SCC president Bishop James Wong and other heads of churches in Sabah, including Archbishop Datuk John Wong (Catholic), Datuk Jerry Dusing (Sidang Injil Borneo), Bishop Datuk Melter Jiki Tais (Anglican) and Rev Dr Hii Kong Hock (Methodist).