KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government leaders held a meeting with the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) to discuss improvements to the mechanism for implementing development allocations for non-Muslim places of worship in the state, particularly in relation to the Sabah Budget 2027.
The meeting involved Sabah Cabinet members who are Christians , namely Deputy Chief Minister I and Minister of Works and Utilities, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam; Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick; Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Rubin Balang; and Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing, Datuk Julita Majungki.
Ewon said the meeting provided an opportunity for government leaders and the SCC to discuss matters concerning the needs of non-Muslim places of worship, including efforts to improve the mechanism for implementing development allocations in the future.
“This meeting, among others, discussed improvements to the mechanism for implementing development allocations for non-Muslim places of worship, particularly in Budget 2027.”
“I also proposed that scholarships or study assistance be introduced for church leaders undertaking theological studies as a form of government support,” he said.
He made the remarks after hosting the meeting between Sabah Cabinet members of Christian faith and SCC leaders here.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Datuk Jonnybone Kurum; MINDET Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin; Kota Kinabalu City Hall Director-General Datuk Sr. Lifred Wong; SEDCO group general manager Datuk Ar. James Wong; and SCC President Bishop Wong Pui Kong.
The discussions were chaired by Joachim and attended by representatives of all churches and Christian denominations, including the Anglican Diocese of Sabah, the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia, Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Sabah, Calvary Charismatic Centre, Grace Chapel, Sabah Evangelical Mission, Christian Revival Church, The Methodist Church, Sabah Baptist Association, Protestant Church of Sabah, Assembly of God and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.
All Cabinet members who attended the meeting also shared various current initiatives being carried out by the Sabah Government under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
Ewon expressed appreciation that the inaugural meeting of its kind received support from the SCC leadership.
“I am pleased that this first-ever meeting received support from the SCC leadership and I hope it can continue as a platform for discussion between government and church leaders,” he said, adding that the next meeting will be hosted by Datuk Rubin Balang.
Ewon said the meeting was important for strengthening relations and cooperation between the government and religious institutions, in line with Sabah’s diverse community.
“May meetings like this bring blessings to Sabah as a state with diversity of religion, ethnicity, language and custom,” he said.
Meanwhile, SCC President Bishop Wong Pui Kong said the churches appreciated the Sabah Government’s efforts to build and maintain harmony among people of different ethnicities, races and religions.
“A peaceful environment of mutual respect and understanding is a precious gift for Sabah. We also express our gratitude to the Sabah Government for consistently respecting and safeguarding freedom of religion,” he said.
He added that the SCC and churches in Sabah will continue to cooperate with the State Government in efforts to build a peaceful, harmonious and respectful society.
“We believe the government and the churches each have a role in bringing good to the community and in building a better future for coming generations,” he said.
Wong also welcomed Ewon’s proposal that scholarships or study assistance be introduced for church leaders undertaking theological studies.
“We welcome Datuk Ewon’s proposal and hope it will be considered,” he said.-pr/BNN
