Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman
Ketua Menteri Sabah merangkap Menteri Kewangan
Yang Berhormat Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Menteri Tugas-tugas Khas merangkap Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemberian Kerajaan Nergeri Sabah kepada Sekolah-sekolah dan Badan-badan Keagamaan Bukan Islam
Yang Berhormat-Yang Berhormat, Datuk-datuk, Datin-datin
Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan yang saya hormati sekalian
Salam sejastera, salam manis dan selamat petang kepada semua hadirin sekalian.
Please allow me to speak in English.
I have been asked to give a brief speech on behalf of all the schools and religious bodies from West Coast and Interior regions gathered here this afternoon to express our sincere thanks to the State Government, especially to our Chief Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, for once again generously allocate grants to our schools, churches and temples this year.
This yearly allocation, which is becoming a good tradition, is a concrete sign of the care and concern of our State Government towards non-Muslims in Sabah. Indirectly, through the grants, the government recognises the contributions of our schools and all non-Islamic religions in nation building, particularly through education and formation of good and upright citizens.
In one way or another, the grants would lighten the burdens of our schools, churches and temples in the upkeeping, maintenance and replacement of our worn-out buildings and other infrastructures. For this we are truly grateful to the State Government.
Yang Amat Berhormat, Datuk-datuk, Datin-datin, Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan yang saya hormati sekalian.
When we reflect deeply, I think we can all agree that Sabah is fortunate to have a government which is responsive to the needs and problems of the rakyat, irrespective of their racial or religious background. We are thankful that even though we may have different ideologies of life, the relations between peoples of different races and religions remain cordial and good. Indeed, many from other Malaysian states have witnessed for themselves how Sabahans can show the way in living and putting into practice the spirit of 1Malaysia. For this we should congratulate our state leaders in playing their roles well.
However, as the world becomes more globalised, lives become more complex. The expectation of the rakyat towards the government also increases. That is why I always encourage our church members to pray for our government and political leaders, so that in playing their roles, they will be blessed with wisdom in making wise decisions; integrity and honesty in dealing with public resources; greater transparency and accountability; broad and inclusive thinking; and always give priority to the interests and needs of the rakyat. When we pray sincerely from our hearts, I believe our prayers will not be in vain.
Once again, on behalf of all the schools and non Islamic religious bodies gathered here, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Yang Amat Berhormat and our state government for the generous grants this year. We pray that Sabah will have greater peace and harmony in the years ahead.
With this, I beg to end my speech. Sekian dan terima kasih.