The construction of the Goddess of the Sea (Mazu) statue in Kudat was not meant as a shrine or as a temple but primarily meant for its significance to the tourism value that it can bring to Sabah.

Former Sabah Chief Minister Chong Kah Kiat said this yesterday during questioning by counsel Mohammad Shafee Abdullah for Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman and three other defendants in a civil suit.

"It (the statue) obviously has a religious significance being a Taoist statue," Chong told the court.

"However, it would not be correct to suggest that the non-erection of the statue would deprive the followers of the religion from performing their prayers."