KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25- A total of 422 applications for the implementation of the Non-Islamic House of Worship (RIBI) programme have been approved for 2024, involving an allocation amounting to RM46.1 million.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the government through the 2025 Budget allocated another RM50 million to continue this initiative.
"Accordingly, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is targeting 200 RIBI to receive a maximum allocation of RM250,000 each.
"This target can be increased if the number of applications does not exceed the maximum set limit," she said when answering a question from Mas Gading Member of Parliament Mordi Bimol regarding RIBI project approval statistics in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Perak recorded the highest number of RIBI approvals with 87 projects, followed by Selangor (60), Johor (48) and Sabah (40).
KPKT is also amending the RIBI programme application guidelines to ensure that no premises receive repeated allocations.
The amendment will include the condition that any RIBI that has already received an allocation, will not be allowed to apply until a period of three years has lapsed.
Datuk Aiman said the application processing procedure either directly or through the e-RIBI system will be screened by the ministry, before being evaluated by the evaluation and monitoring team.
"The application will then be presented in a special committee meeting of the RIBI maintenance initiative across the country, at the KPKT level. The frequency of meetings will be intensified based on the application forwarded and it will be chaired by the KPKT Secretary General.
"During the screening process, the application will be scrutinised and it will be dropped if it has (been identified) received allocation assistance," she said in response to an additional question from Maran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib regarding the KPKT's efforts to ensure that the RIBI maintenance allocation is not given to the same house of worship every year.