Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Gives RM148,000 Christmas Donations to 148 Churches in Kadamaian

KADAMAIAN, (Sabah, Malaysia) Dec 18, 2025  — Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has distributed RM148,000 in Christmas donations to 148 churches across the Kadamaian constituency, in an initiative reflecting the state government’s commitment to interfaith harmony.

Each church received RM1,000, according to Ewon, who is also Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport and State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Kadamaian, to support preparations for Christmas and the 2026 New Year celebrations.

He said the contributions were part of an ongoing initiative introduced several years ago to assist religious institutions in the constituency.

“Each church in Kadamaian receives annual assistance totalling RM2,000, comprising RM1,000 for Easter celebrations and RM1,000 for Christmas or New Year, which is disbursed ahead of the respective festivities,” he said.

Ewon added that the same approach was applied to Islamic institutions in the area.

“Mosques and suraus also receive RM2,000 annually, including RM1,000 for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and RM1,000 for Hari Raya Aidiladha,” he said.

He said the contributions were aimed at fostering a sense of togetherness and mutual respect among multireligious communities, while strengthening grassroots social cohesion.

Ewon also urged residents to continue nurturing neighbourhood ties and unity, stressing that Sabah’s ethnic and religious diversity remained a core strength of the state.

“The uniqueness of Sabah’s diversity is a fundamental pillar of the Sabah First development agenda and must be preserved,” he said.