Sabah govt gives out RM19.7mil in aid to schools and religious institutions

 y Olivia Miwil - February 1, 2021 @ 1:31pm

Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt (second left) presenting a souveniour to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. - Photo courtesy of Sabah CM office.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government has given out RM19.7 million to Chinese vernacular schools, independent schools, kindergartens, temples and associations in the state.

Its Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the financial aid showed that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government has always prioritised fairness and equality in all aspects.

Hajiji, who is also state Finance Minister, was speaking during the presentation ceremony at the State Administrative Centre Banquet Hall here.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that the state government has allocated a sum of RM43 million as a grant for the schools (Chinese and Mission) and non-Muslim religious bodies (RM25mil) for 2020.

"Out of the amount, a total RM13.5 million was given to seven Chinese secondary national-typed schools or SMJKC (RM2.1mil), nine independent schools (RM3.65mil), 83 primary national-typed or SJKC schools (RM6.92mil) and 142 kindergartens (RM801,500).

"Another sum of RM5.29 million was approved for development and maintenance of 145 temples in Sabah," he said, adding that an additional RM1 million was also approved to assist various Chinese associations in Sabah in holding their activities in conjunction with Chinese New Year.

Meanwhile, he said a technical committee was set up by the State Government Grant Committee for schools and religious bodies during its meeting on Nov 2 last year.

The committee is to scrutinise applications received from schools and non-Muslim religious bodies throughout the State.

"Hopefully, the funds would lessen the burden in the development and repairs of schools and houses of worship besides providing comfort and benefit to the non-Muslims at the grassroot level," said Hajiji.

Present were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun as well as Sabah Economic Advisory Council Chairman Tan Sri David Chu and leaders of the various Chinese associations in Sabah.