By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Government leaders and the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) have discussed ways to improve funding for non-Muslim houses of worship.
The focus was on making the allocation mechanism more effective, particularly under the 2027 Sabah Budget.
The meeting brought together Christian members of the Sabah Cabinet, led by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who chaired the meeting.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang and Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki.
Others present were Assistant Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister (MINDET) Datuk Jonnybone Kurum, MINDET permanent secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH) director-general Datuk Lifred Wong and Sabah Economic Development Corportation (SEDCO) group general manager Datuk James Wong.
Representatives of Christian churches and denominations across Sabah also attended the meeting.
They included the Anglican Diocese of Sabah, 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.
Ewon said the meeting allowed both sides to discuss the needs of non-Muslim houses of worship and ways to improve the allocation process.
“Among other things, the meeting discussed improvements to the mechanism for implementing development allocations for non-Muslim houses of worship, particularly under the 2027 Budget.
“I also proposed that scholarships or education assistance for church leaders pursuing theological studies be introduced as a form of government support,” he said after hosting the meeting between Christian Cabinet members and SCC leaders.
The Cabinet members also outlined various initiatives being carried out by the Sabah Government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Ewon thanked the SCC leadership for supporting the first meeting of its kind.
“I am pleased that this first meeting received support from the SCC leadership and I hope it can continue as a platform for discussions between government and church leaders,” he said.
He added that the next meeting would be hosted by Rubin.
Ewon said such meetings were important in strengthening ties between the government and religious institutions in Sabah’s diverse society.
“May meetings like this bring blessings to Sabah as a state with diversity in religion, race, language and customs,” he said.
Meanwhile, SCC President Bishop Wong Pui Kong said the churches appreciated the government’s efforts to preserve harmony among Sabahans of different races and religions.
“Peace, mutual respect and mutual understanding are precious gifts for Sabah.
“We also appreciate the Sabah Government for always respecting and preserving freedom of religion,” he said.
Wong said the SCC and churches in Sabah would continue working with the State Government to build a peaceful and harmonious society.
“We believe the Government and churches each have a role to play in bringing good to society and building a better future for generations to come,” he said.
Wong also welcomed Ewon’s proposal for scholarships or education assistance for church leaders pursuing theological studies.
“We welcome Datuk Ewon’s proposal and hope it can be considered,” he said.
Dr Joachim with Ewon, Julita, Bishop Wong and church representatives and government officers after the meeting.
