By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 11 — The Selangor government has allocated a total RM345,000 to be channelled to 39 non-Muslim houses of worship (temples) in the state for the religious bodies to hold welfare programmes to help families that were affected by the enforced movement control order (MCO).
State Socio-economic Empowerment, Development and Caring Government Committee chairman V Ganabatirau said the third and fourth phase of handing over the aid would enable the temples to carry out community service programmes for the Indian community as well as to meet the upgrading needs of the institution.
“Compared to the previous years, the state government has set a guideline that assistance to be disbursed to the temples is between RM3,000 to RM10,000.
“We would disburse the aid accordingly based on the activities organised by the temples as well as the upgrades or refurbishments required, therefore the amount (allocated for the temples) would differ after it is decided with the select committee,” said Ganabatirau after the handover ceremony of the funds at the State Secretariat building in Shah Alam yesterday.
He said the temple management across the state have welcomed the funds from the state administration and that the number of applications has increased over the years.
“The temples in the state are encouraged to organised more community programmes using the funds provided.
“I would also like to thank the temple management for collaborating with the state government to help those in need and we hope that the allocation is sufficient,” he added.
