MIRI: Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin today presented RM214,000 worth of financial aid to 31 religious bodies here in conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Wesak Day and Hari Gawai,
The purpose of the assistance was to provide some financial support, especially to buy Covid-19 sanitation equipment to disinfect the premises of the religious bodies.
“The Sarawak government is very thankful to the religious bodies for promoting harmony in the society and helping the needy,” said Lee.
He added that religious bodies had also cooperated with the state government by following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and encouraging their followers to have a positive mindset and to protect themselves and their families during the pandemic.
The religious bodies, he said, had also prayed for Sarawak and the country as a whole.
Every year, Lee will allocate funds to religious bodies in Senadin to support their operations.
However, due to Covid-19, the extra expenses on SOPs had increased the burden of these religious bodies.
Therefore, the financial aid from Lee was timely to ease their burden.
In the past, Lee would attend the ‘Bathing of Buddha Statue’ Ceremony and prayers at different temples on Wesak Day.
However, since 2020 due to Covid-19, virtual platforms are used to hold many activities including the Wesak Day ritual ceremony.
He urged Buddhists to turn to the virtual platforms today to pray together for the Covid-19 pandemic to end.
