SANDAKAN – The Sabah government is allocating about RM48 million to non-Muslim organisations, vernacular schools, and private schools in the state this year, the highest yearly allocation for the purpose to date.
Datuk Roland Chia Ming Shen, the political secretary to the Sabah chief minister, said that the increase in allocation from last year’s RM42.9 million shows that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor truly cares about the development of the Chinese as well as other non-Muslim communities in the state.
“This year, we received the highest allocation for non-Islamic bodies and schools. It will benefit the Chinese community through our Chinese (vernacular) schools, temples, and cultural associations.
“The Sabah government has also donated over 200 lion heads (costumes) to lion dance associations in the state and the government will announce similar, if not more, donations this year.
“This goes to show how much the government respects and cares about the local Chinese community and supports us in preserving our culture and tradition,” he said.
Chia said this during the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s 72nd anniversary commemoration at the Tiong Hua Hall here last Saturday.
Earlier, Chia attended a dialogue session with Sandakan’s local Chinese community leaders hosted by a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council and Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Tan Sri Andrew Liew, in a coffee shop here.
During the session, he urged Chinese associations to grab the opportunity with the government’s allocation for Chinese bodies and apply for financial assistance.
He also told attendees to support the government’s economic recovery efforts after the Covid-19 pandemic by cooperating and participating in the government’s initiatives with their influence, expertise, and networks.
“I hope that the Chinese community in Sandakan will support and participate in the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, which aims to develop the state’s agriculture, business, industrial, and tourism sectors so that Sabah’s economy will be able to recover as soon as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Liew said he hopes the attendees at the session, including Sandakan’s Chinese vernacular schools’ leaders, businessmen, and community leaders understand the government’s plans and policies better, being able to address their concerns and problems through Chia. – The Vibes, January 12, 2022
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