KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has assured Sabahans that his government will continue to support the festivals celebrated by the people of all races in the state.
This comes following an announcement yesterday that local Chinese community leaders (kapitan) will be getting RM2,000 each and associations RM5,000 each.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government, said Hajiji, was a tolerant government which encouraged people of various races and religions to preserve and uphold their traditions.
The Chinese community in Sabah, like the rest of Malaysians, had seen the previous Lunar New Year celebration muted due to the pandemic, he said.
“So, I am sure this year is extra special for all those celebrating,” he said when launching the Chinese New Year carnival in the city on Saturday night.
Besides the cultural aspect, the state government would ensure fair and just development and care for all communities in Sabah, he said.
The state, Hajiji said, had allocated over RM48mil for non-Muslim groups, houses of worship and vernacular schools.
He said various economic programmes, including the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative that would benefit all Sabahans, had also been lined up and were in the midst of implementation.
“I am confident that with undivided support given to the government, we will be able to achieve what we’ve planned for,” said Hajiji, who also presented a RM200,000 mock cheque to the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah.
