PENANG APPROVES RM13.6 MLN ALLOCATION FOR NON-ISLAMIC HOUSES OF WORSHIP SINCE 2016

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang government, through the Trust Fund for Non-Islamic Houses of Worship (RIBI), has approved 333 applications, with allocations totaling over RM13.6 million since 2016.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this demonstrated the state government’s commitment to ensuring RIBI’s smooth operation, thus proving that it governed Penang in a fair and just manner.

“For this year, an allocation of RM1.88 million has been approved for 54 RIBIs in the state, and this commitment will continue for the welfare of all, especially the people of Penang,” he told reporters after presenting a mock cheque to the recipients at Komtar here today.

Previously, Chow said that a total of 129 RIBIs have received land from the Penang government between 2018 and 2024 as part of efforts to ensure that houses of worship for followers of other religions were provided with the necessary facilities and space to grow, with full support from the state government.

Meanwhile, State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said since she assumed the portfolio in October 2023, the special RIBI trust fund committee had assessed, screened, and processed 116 applications.

She said that of the total, the committee had approved 97 applications, amounting to RM3.614 million in 2024, the highest allocation ever approved since 2016.

Lim said the allocated funds were used for construction, maintenance, and emergency repair work.

She added that this financial assistance was crucial in easing the financial burden of RIBI in managing the restoration and maintenance work of their premises.

-- BERNAMA