KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor stressed that the State Government will not compromise on matters of faith (aqidah), development and the well-being of the ummah.
The State Government consistently supports efforts to develop and promote Islamic teachings, as actively carried out by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS), the Sabah Islamic Council (MUIS), and several NGOs, such as the United Sabah Islamic Association (USIA) and the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), he said.
In addition, he said in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya policy, which also prioritised human capital development, agencies such as MUIS and the Sabah State Baitulmal Corporation have joined forces with Yayasan Sabah and the State Public Service Department to provide scholarship opportunities for Sabah students wishing to further their studies at local and overseas institutions of higher learning.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, which is nearing its end, the State Government has allocated substantial funding to upgrade mosque and surau infrastructure across Sabah as well as provide various training and human capital development for du’at, he said.
“God willing, under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, we will continue to champion the agenda of empowering dakwah and advancing Islamic development in line with current needs and demands.
“This includes digital dakwah transformation in tandem with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the placement of integrated preachers in rural and island areas, as well as special MADANI youth programmes to nurture capable young preachers,” he said.
In this regard, Hajiji said the State Government is pleased to present the appointment letters to the District Imams throughout Sabah, who have been selected from among the Kariah Imams.
“As an additional incentive for this group of religious leaders, I am pleased to announce that the State Government, through MUIS, will increase the allowance of District Imams by RM1,000 per month.
A total of 33 District Imams will benefit from this additional allowance,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has also agreed to increase the monthly allowance for KAFA teachers and Rawatib Imams by RM200 each.
For this purpose, the State Government will spend nearly RM15 million annually to benefit 2,480 KAFA teachers and 1,643 Rawatib Imams in Sabah, he said.
Apart from that, he said that a total of 394 Takmir teachers will receive a one-off special allowance of RM500 each.
“Hopefully, in the future, as Sabah’s economy continues to grow rapidly and the state’s financial position strengthens further, your allowances will continue to be increased from time to time, God willing!” he said.-pr/BNN
