KOTA KINABALU: The state government has allocated some RM42.9mil to assist non-Muslim schools and religious bodies in Sabah.

       Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the state government under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah was fair and sincere in providing assistance to all groups.

       He said of the amount given out to non-Muslim organisations, he said that RM17.9mil was in aid to Chinese private schools, national type secondary schools, Chinese national type schools and kindergartens.

       A total of RM24.9mil in assistance was also provided to religious bodies like churches and temples," he said when launching the 2021 Kota Kinabalu Christmas celebrations at the Padang Merdeka here on Tuesday (Dec 14) night.

       "We will continue to provide assistance and allocations to non-Muslim schools and religious bodies in the state regardless of race and religion."

       Hajiji said that everyone must continue to protect the unity, racial harmony and religious tolerance among the people.

       "Any action that could affect the unity of the people and stability of the government, must be avoided.

       "This is important for us to realise the development agenda of the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap effectively to further improve the economy and drive development and progress in the state," he said, adding that the annual Christmas carnival helped strengthen the unity of multi-ethnic Sabahans of different religious beliefs.

       "This kind of unity spirit has long been practised in Sabah and it is also in line with the concept of Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob," he said.

       The annual Kota Kinabalu Christmas celebrations was organised by Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the Sabah Council of Churches. The celebration could be held in 2020due to the Covid-19 pandemic.