Premier: No more chapels, churches in ‘sorry conditions’

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang wish Christians a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

KUCHING, Dec 24: The Sarawak government is committed to ensuring that all Sarawakians have a decent place of worship, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said previously that some places of worship, especially churches and chapels, used to be in ‘sorry conditions’.

“That was why, as a caring government, we set up Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to make sure that people of other religions other than Islam have a comfortable place to pray and worship,” he said in his Christmas and New Year message today.

He further said some non-Muslim leaders have also shown a similar attitude toward the needs of Muslims in places where they are a minority.

He said this is particularly exemplified by the gracious gesture of the elected representative in Belaga, Datuk Liwan Lagang, who has been most kind in assisting the Muslim community in building a mosque in this upriver town.

“In the same vein, Unifor was formed to dish out funds, foster unity, and nurture understanding among people of various beliefs and races in Sarawak, among non-Muslim religious communities in particular.

“This has been the pillar of strength, mutual respect among us,” he added.

On a separate note, Abang Johari hopes that Sarawak can achieve its goal of becoming a developed region with high income by 2030, where everyone enjoys economic prosperity derived from sustainable and renewable resources.

With the record-breaking State Budget 2024 worth RM12.36 billion, he believed that the State’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow from RM140 billion to RM282 billion.

“Based on the catalytic programmes and the diversifying economy, I am confident that our target of RM282 billion by 2030 can be achieved,” he emphasised.

In light of the beautiful season of Christmas, he also hoped that all Christians would continue to wish Sarawak well as a place where her people are united and enjoying a high standard of living. — DayakDaily