Premier: UNIFOR completes 807 projects valued at RM109.8 mln

KUCHING: The Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) has successfully overseen the completion of 807 projects valued at RM109.8 million, with an additional 616 projects currently in progress, amounting to RM120.5 million.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the Sarawak government has allocated a total of RM385 million to various places of worship since UNIFOR’s establishment in 2017.

He noted that this funding supports temples and churches, reaffirming the Sarawak government’s commitment to inclusivity for other religious houses of worship across the state.

“And be rest assured that we will continue to do so because this is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) promise to our people as has been proven in the past seven years.

“The financial assistance is to facilitate physical development and upgrading of their houses of worship, to ensure that these sacred institutions provide optimal comfort for worshippers.

“It is given to assist in completion of churches and temples when their budgets are insufficient whereby the building and maintenance costs exceed their funds,” he said.

He delivered these remarks through a text of speech read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian during the Thanksgiving Ceremony for Other Religions, held in conjunction with the 78th birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak at Riverside Majestic Hotel last night (Oct 11).

Dr Sim (seated, third right) poses for a photo with others. Photo: UKAS

As such, Abang Johari emphasised the need for unity among leaders to elevate Sarawak, ensuring that everyone, regardless of race or religion, can prosper together.

“Let us not be dismayed and be perturbed by any form of extremism and bigotry as we are all equal in the eyes of the law which is based on our constitution,” he said.

On the same note, he further assured Sarawakians that the state will remain committed to protecting its rights as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Referring to the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, established before Malaysia’s formation on September 16, 1963, he affirmed that Sarawak’s rights to the State Sales Tax (SST) will continue to be upheld.

“Sarawak still needs a lot of funding to continue its development agenda under our Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 whereby social inclusivity is part of this strategy to achieve a developed status by 2030.

“With better deals from the Federal government through MA63, we will be able to develop Sarawak much faster, and of course, this will include building more houses of worship based on the increasing needs of our people, be it in the urban or rural areas.

“And be rest assured, we will not discriminate against anyone who genuinely needs our assistance,” he added.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat and UNIFOR Director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau.