Shafie Apdal: Pledge for more non-Muslim places of worship in Sabah will be fulfilled

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) has assured the people that the state government will fulfil its pledge of helping non-Muslim communities develop more places of worship.

Shafie, who is Parti Warisan Sabah president, said he had engaged in discussions with religious leaders in the state to take note of their aspirations and expectations from the new leadership.

He added that the state government would also deliver on its promise to assist in building more churches in Sabah.

"I give my assurance that the state government will help build churches.

"We will also give allowances to pastors if the state's financial situation allows," said Shafie at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang on Saturday.

Shafie was invited by United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) to officiate at the party's extraordinary delegates' conference.

Upko acting president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the delegates are fully supportive of the party supreme council's decision to withdraw its membership from Sabah Barisan Nasional on May 10.

Noting that Upko had been the subject of heavy criticism following the decision, Madius reiterated that the choice was made based on principle, and was in accordance with the people's resounding calls for change.

He thanked Shafie for giving Upko the opportunity to form the state government with Warisan and its partners PKR-DAP.

Sabah Barisan and the Warisan-PKR-DAP coalition were tied with 29 seats each in a hung assembly following the May 9 general election.

Tan Sri Musa Aman was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10, after Sabah STAR threw its support behind Sabah Barisan to give the coalition a 31-seat majority in the 60-member state assembly.

But Musa lost his majority the next day when six assemblymen from Upko and Umno declared their support for Warisan and its partners PKR and DAP.

With the defections, Shafie secured a 35-seat majority and he was then sworn in as Chief Minister on May 12.