The Sabah government has approved RM500,000 in additional funding for the construction of a Chinese school in Kolombong, near Kota Kinabalu.

When making the announcement, Chief Minister Musa Aman said SJK (C) Che Hwa, under the patronage of the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), could ease the increasing need for Chinese schools in the city.

"We (state government) have always been very supportive of Chinese schools and we understand the importance and value of education," he said at KKCCCI's Chinese New Year celebration in Kota Kinabalu last night.

KKCCCI has been seeking additional funding for the RM30 million project, which is to be completed in stages, and it had initially been given RM1 million by the state government, while the federal government gave RM3 million.

Musa also acknowledged KKCCCI's commitment to complementing the Education Ministry's efforts in providing primary school education not only to meet the demand of the Chinese community, but also of the other communities.

Earlier, KKCCCI president Michael Hui said the chamber was grateful for the state government's attention on matters concerning the Chinese community in the state.

He called on the people to rally behind the state government under the leadership of Musa.

- Bernama