Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has reminded the people of Sabah not to be swayed by certain quarters who tried to instigate them by using religion as a tool.

He said that these instigators had their own agenda as religious issues did not arise in Sabah, where the people lived in peace and harmony regardless of race, religion or culture since before.

"Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself acknowledges and recognises that Sabah is the best example of the 1Malaysia spirit," he said when speaking at the Sabah government financial aid presentation to non-Muslim non governmental organisations (NGO) and Southwest Coast and Lower Interior schools here on Wednesday.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Special Functions Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang.

At the function, Musa presented financial aid, totalling RM32 million, to nearly 200 non-Muslim NGOs, national type, missionary and private schools.

Hence Musa urged all strata of the community to be with the government to nurture and sustain the spirit of unity, togetherness and harmony that had been achieved in Sabah all this while.

He said religious bodies played an important role in instilling good and positive values among the people of various races and religions.

Since 11 years ago, the Sabah government had presented financial aid totalling RM208,533,199, including RM88,536,019 to missionary, national type and private achools and RM119,997,180 for non-Muslim NGOs, he said.