KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chinese vernacular schools, independent schools, kindergartens, temples and associations received financial assistance totalling RM19.7 million from the GRS State Government on Monday.
“These financial aids show that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government always prioritised fairness in all aspects and we will render assistance to all the rakyat irrespective of religion and race,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in the State Administrative Centre Banquet Hall here on Monday, 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 to scrutinise applications received from schools and non-Muslim religious bodies throughout the State.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that the State Government has allocated a sum of RM43 million as grant for the schools (Chinese and Mission RM18m) and non-Muslim religious bodies (RM25m) for year 2020,” he said.
Out of amount, a total of RM13.5 million was given to seven Chinese secondary national-typed schools or SMJKC (RM2.1m), nine independent schools (RM3.65m), 83 primary national-typed or SJKC schools (RM6.92m) and 142 kindergartens (RM801,500).
Another sum of RM5.29 million was approved for development and maintenance of 145 temples in Sabah, he said.
Also approved was RM1 million to assist various Chinese associations in Sabah in holding their activities in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.
“Hopefully, the funds would lessen the burden in the development and repairs of schools and house of worships concerned besides providing comfort and benefits to the non-Muslims at the grassroots level,” said Hajiji.
Later, Hajiji accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who is also chairman of the organising committee and State Secretary Datuk Sr Safar Untong handed the contributions to representatives of the recipients.
Also on hand were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam as well as Sabah Economic Advisory Council Chairman Tan Sri David Chu and leaders of the various Chinese associations in Sabah.-pr/BNN
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 of
