SINCE 2016, a total of 207 applications from various places of worship other than Islam (RIBI) were approved under the RIBI fund, with a total disbursement of RM8.691 million, state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said.
The fund, Jagdeep said, which was established to assist places of worship that require maintenance, renovation works and other relevant activities, would continue to do so for premises in need.
“We will continue to assist all places of worship from different beliefs and backgrounds.
“As for our Muslim brothers and sisters, there are also funds dedicated to assist their places of worship, which are handled by their committee members.
“We view this as an important role that must not be compromised as we aim provide a conducive and safe praying grounds for all worshippers,” Jagdeep said during his visit to the Thean Seng Keong Temple in George Town today.
At the press conference, Jagdeep said the state government had allocated RM50,000 from the total disbursed amount of RM8.691 million in 2018, to the temple to assist in its various renovation works.
The works include maintenance, upgrading the existing facilities, wiring works and others.
“I am made to understand that this temple was established in 1995, and it has undergone several periods of renovation works, and the latest one is set for full completion soon.
“With our celebration for Chinese New Year coming up, it is my extreme honour to have been invited here to look at the progress of the near completion. You can see it is probably 99.9 percent ready,” he added.
Jagdeep also commended Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi for working very hard to ensure the renovation at the temple progressed smoothly.
Separately, it was learnt that the RIBI fund still has a balance of RM1.77 million.
Hence, Jagdeep encouraged interested places of worship to submit their applications for further proceedings.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian