‘No one will be left behind': Putrajaya sets aside RM50m for churches, temples nationwide to preserve religious harmony
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative, introduced under the 2025 Budget, aims to ensure that temples, churches and similar sites remain well-maintained and comfortable for worshippers.
Speaking at a grant presentation ceremony at the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia in Petagas, Nga said that as of July 7, RM2.7 million had been approved for 15 RIBI organisations in Sabah, with several other applications still under review.
'I understand that several applications are still being processed and I hope more will be submitted,' he said, adding that the ministry approved RM4.81 million last year for 35 RIBI nationwide to carry out similar works.
Nga reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving Malaysia's multi-faith society, assuring that the initiative would be implemented in a professional, efficient and transparent manner.
'No one will be left behind. The goal is to ensure these funds are distributed fairly and equitably to those who need them the most,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
39 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
No prospecting licence issued to Farhash-linked firm, says Sabah land dept
Sabah lands and surveys department director Bernard Liew said allegations claiming that Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd had been awarded a mineral prospecting licence in Sabah are baseless. PETALING JAYA : The Sabah lands and surveys department maintains that no mineral prospecting licence had been issued to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, the company linked to businessman Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. The department's director, Bernard Liew, said no prospecting licence was awarded to the company under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960 and that allegations claiming otherwise were baseless. He added that the department was the authoritative body governing mining in the Bornean state. 'Any mineral exploration activity in Sabah can only be conducted after obtaining a legitimate licence issued under Sections 6 and 8 of the Sabah Mining Ordinance. 'And this is subject to technical conditions and other relevant laws that are already in place. The department views seriously any statement made via the media that can mislead the public,' he said in a statement. MalaysiaNow previously reported that Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) had awarded Bumi Suria an exploration licence for coal mining. The report said it had been granted exclusive rights to explore and search for minerals on 70,000ha of forest reserve in Kalabakan and Gunung Rara near the Kalimantan border. In a statement to FMT, SMM CEO Natasha Sim said the state government agency was not a licence-awarding body, nor did it have jurisdiction to award or issue licences. On Monday, Farhash said his lawyers had served MalaysiaNow with a cease and desist letter, saying allegations that he owned Bumi Suria and that the company had been awarded a mineral prospecting or exploration licence in Sabah were false and defamatory. The lawyers said Farhash was merely a director and shareholder of Bumi Suria, and demanded that the article be removed from the website and all social media channels.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Kg Sungai Baru redevelopment starts next year, says FT minister
Kampung Sungai Baru's redevelopment was first initiated in 2016, but has been stalled largely due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among its residents. PETALING JAYA : The long-delayed redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru is now expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, says federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. In a written parliamentary reply, she said the project's layout and building plans have been approved, and the developer is currently securing other technical clearances from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and relevant agencies. 'The project is expected to be launched soon, with construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2026,' she said in response to Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai), who asked for details about the redevelopment. The new timeline marks a delay from a commitment made by Zaliha in 2024, when she told Parliament that construction would begin in the first quarter of 2025. Kampung Sungai Baru's redevelopment was first initiated in 2016, but has been stalled largely due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among its residents. Zaliha also said that the land acquisition application under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was submitted by the developer in October 2020 and subsequently approved by the federal territories land working committee. Gazettement of the acquisition, involving 110 properties, including 37 terrace lots, 72 flats, and a Tenaga Nasional Berhad substation, was carried out in June 2021 under Sections 4 and 8 of the Act, for residential and commercial use.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Report on states' competency to enact Islamic laws presented to rulers
Religious affairs minister Na'im Mokhtar said the report was presented to the Conference of Rulers at their 269th meeting last week. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The findings of a study on the competency of state assemblies to enact Islamic laws under state enactments has been presented to the rulers, says religious affairs minister Na'im Mokhtar. Na'im said the report prepared by a special committee had been presented to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) chaired by Perak's Sultan Nazrin Shah on July 1. It was also presented to the Conference of Rulers when it held its 269th meeting on July 16, he said in a written parliamentary reply. The report followed studies, discussions and engagements with the various states' head of shariah courts, muftis, Islamic councils as well as representatives from Islamic institutions and other religions. Na'im said the recommendations outlined in the special committee's report will first be studied by the government before further action is taken, partly to look into the need for legal amendments to be tabled in Parliament. 'This is to ensure that every legal amendment enacted, especially those that touches on federal and state jurisdictions, are clear, organised and in line with the Federal Constitution, other laws that are in force, and shariah laws. 'This is to ensure that the amendments are legitimate and will not be questioned by any party once it comes to effect,' he said. The minister said recommendations involving matters under Putrajaya's jurisdiction will first be brought to the Cabinet. Recommendations involving matters under the purview of the respective states are subject to the agreement of the state governments, he added. In August 2023, then MKI chairman Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor ordered for the special panel to conduct an in-depth study on the competency of state assemblies to enact Islamic laws under state enactments and the jurisdiction of the shariah courts. He said this was due to the number of cases under the jurisdiction of shariah courts being challenged in the Federal Court. In an 8-1 majority decision last year, the Federal Court struck down 16 provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 on the grounds of their unconstitutionality. Then chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the state assembly had no authority to pass the provisions as part of the enactment, as the offences in question were covered under federal law.
