MALACCA is allocating RM1.3 million in financial assistance for repair, maintenance, and emergency work on non-Muslim houses of worship under the state’s Budget 2022 initiative. 

Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali said RM591,750 will be given to 16 applicants in the first phase of the aid programme while the rest will be given to applicants in the second phase according to the set conditions.

“Each application will be scrutinised in line with existing rules and guidelines so this aid will achieve its goals and objectives in supporting non-Muslim houses of worship.

“The decision made by the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee takes into account the conditions set by the National Unity Ministry and Malacca Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Guidelines in line with the sensitivities of the people in this state,” he told reporters in Ayer Keroh today.

Earlier, Sulaiman attended the presentation ceremony, which was also attended by state Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman V.P. Shanmugam and state Unity, Information, Human Resources and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem. 

Sulaiman said there are 428 religious associations registered with the Malacca Registrar of Societies, but a check found that only 168 non-Muslim houses of worship were registered with the state government. 

He said it was important for each such house of worship in Malacca to be registered with the state government to facilitate authorities’ monitoring activities, avoid objections from local residents, and maintain harmony and peace between races.

“Certainly, there are several advantages if these non-Muslim houses of worship are registered with the state government, because if there is an allocation to be channelled by the federal government, then registered non-Muslim houses of worship have the opportunity to obtain this allocation,” he added. – Bernama, November 7, 2022.