KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Government Development Ministry has approved financial assistance worth RM2.65mil for the maintenance of 20 non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) here.

       The ministry said six of the 20 RIBI had received financial aid of RM294,029 while the rest will be distributed next year.

       It also said that it is responsible for implementing the RIBI maintenance initiative involving financial assistance of RM50mil for 370 applications nationwide through Budget 2023, which is for the maintenance and repair work of the premises to provide comfort to worshippers.

       The ministry added that the assistance was handed over to its minister Ng Kor Ming during a ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral here on Thursday (Dec 14).

       "The ministry is committed to implementing this initiative professionally, efficiently and transparently to ensure the allocation under this initiative can be distributed fairly and equally to the eligible RIBI organisations,” it added in a statement on Thursday.- Bernama