KLUANG: Twenty-four non-Muslim houses of worship in Johor today received financial assistance grants totalling more than RM1.5 million, said National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohmed Sadique.

She said the allocation was part of the government's committment in line with the core of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) aspiration, which is inclusiveness, togetherness and gratitude.

"I hope all these non-Muslim houses of worship will use this financial aid in the best way possible," she said in her speech at the grant presentation ceremony.

The recipients were nine Buddhist temples which received a total of RM547,000; four Christian houses of worship (RM271,000); three Hindu temples (RM211,000) and eight Taoist temples (RM496,000).

In the 2022 Budget, the government has allocated RM30 million through the National Unity Ministry, Halimah added.

"This is the third time non-Muslim houses of worship chairmen and representatives were invited to receive the financial assistance grants. The first and second were on July 6 and Nov 3 respectively." she said.

-- BERNAMA