Chinese independent schools and non-Muslim religious bodies in Sandakan received financial aid from the state government last night.

Chief Minister Musa Aman presented the aid at an event at SJKC Chi Hwa, totalling RM1.6 million for Chinese schools - an increase compared to RM1.53 million last year.

Non-Muslim religious bodies received RM2.54 million, comprising RM1.39 million for Chinese temples, RM1.1 million for churches and RM50,000 for Hindu temples.

Musa said the aid showed that the BN government was serious about safeguarding religious freedom and in developing the country's human capital in line with the vision of transforming Malaysia into a developed nation by 2020.

He expressed the hope that the religious bodies would continue to promote the inculcation of noble values among the society to address social problems.

In 2008 the state government allocated RM8 million for such schools and organisations throughout the state. The amount given last year was RM10 million.

Aid recipients expressed gratitude to the state government for the assistance, saying it would ease their financial burden.

They also said that they had been relying on the society for contributions.

Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, a representative of the Catholic church of Sandakan, said the assistance showed that the government cared for the people.

"Events like this will also give opportunities for leaders to meet the people," he said, adding that he hoped that such assistance would continue because it would go a long way in creating a society with high moral values.

Representative of the Chinese community, Andrew Liew, said they were thankful to the state government for the assistance and expressed the hope that it would continue.

- Bernama