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KOTA KINABALU: Christmas came earlier this year for the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) when they received a contribution of more than RM16.9 million from the state government today.
Chief Minister Hajiji Noor witnessed the presentation of the check by the chairman of the state grants committee, Masidi Manjun, to the SCC group led by its chairman, Bishop James Wong, during a courtesy visit at the state administrative building.
Hajiji expressed his appreciation to SCC for extending its friendship and support to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government under its leadership.
“I want to assure the SCC that the Sabah government strives to maintain a cordial relationship with all religions, including Christians.
“The GRS government will defend and protect freedom of religion, enshrined in the Constitution.
“Respecting the beliefs of others has always been the pillar of Sabah’s strength and unity. Despite various religions and races, in Sabah we have lived together in harmony all this time. We must protect this, ”he said today in a statement.
Hajiji, who is an assemblyman from Sulaman, also assured the SCC that financial assistance would continue under the current administration.
“I can assure you that the GRS government will support the programs organized by the churches, including the Christmas celebrations,” he said, adding that the government will also look at some of the issues raised by the SCC during the courtesy visit.
