KOTA KINABALU, Oct 27 — Sabah remains unaffected by the rising racial and religious tensions in the peninsula, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said today.

Despite this, the state leader still reminded Sabahans not to be influenced by any attempt here to stoke racism, claiming there are parties bent on destroying the state’s racial and religious harmony.

“I am pleased to say that religious issues do not arise in Sabah. But let us not be swayed by the provocation of some people who have their own agenda,” he said during his speech at a ceremony to handover state government financial  assistance to schools and non Islamic religious bodies here today.

Musa said that Sabah’s culture of respecting each other regardless of race, ethnicities or religion was what made Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak hail the state as the model of a 1Malaysia society.

Racial and religious tension has been mounting in the country after a slew of incidents including a protest to remove a cross from a church façade, a ban on the word “Allah” for non Muslims, racial slurs by politicians, and most recently, a pro-Malay “Red Shirts” rally last month that saw anti-Chinese sentiments.

To uphold the government’s commitment to religious freedom, Musa said the state government has for this year allocated a total of RM31.317 million for schools and non-Islamic religious bodies.

“The large allocation for non-Islamic religious bodies is reflective of the Government’s commitment in upholding religious freedom. There is no discrimination and it is my hope that all parties act responsibly when discussing issues related to religion and the rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

“I hope non-Islamic religious bodies will continue to encourage spiritual growth among your followers. Along with Islamic bodies, you play an important role in promoting positive values in society,” he said in his speech read by deputy chief minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

Of the RM31,317,000 allocation, RM14,575,000 is for schools, including Chinese independent, mission schools and kindergartens.

Independent Chinese schools will receive RM3.4 million, followed by national-type secondary schools or Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan, which will get RM2.25 million.

National primary and secondary schools (Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan/Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan) will be allocated RM2.02 million, Chinese-medium national-type schools will get RM5,895,000; Kindergartens will receive RM700,000 and private mission schools will be allocated RM310,000.

Non-Islamic religious bodies a total of RM16,742,000 has been allocated of which RM11,562,000 is allocated to churches, RM5,015,000 to Chinese temples and RM165,000 to Hindu and Sikh temples.