Malaysia grants USD 16,000 for renovation of Sikh temple

Muslim majority Malaysia has eight per cent ethnic Indian population of which a small percentage are Sikhs who have been in this southeast Asian country for more than 200 years.

The earliest Sikhs, known to be fearless, were brought in by the British to help maintain security.

The Gurdwara Sahib Sikh in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah can now carry out renovations with the 50,000 ringgit (USD 15,633) grant from Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The allocation is proof of the government's commitment to help the people, regardless of their religious beliefs," a Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) leader of the Sabah state said while handing out the donation to Gurdwara member Anup Singh.

He said similar allocations would be distributed to temples in other areas.

Early this month, Muhyiddin announced the 400,000 ringgit grant, following a request from Sabah MIC, at the Deepavali function.

Singh said the Gurdwara had also received RM 40,000 from the state government to carry out renovation work. Built in 1924, it is the oldest Gurdwara in the country.