St Margaret’s Church Stampin receives RM1 mln Unifor grant

Yap (centre) presents the Unifor cheque for RM1 million to Reverend Almond Pritchie at the St Margaret's Church Stampin Pastoral Day and Fund Raising Dinner yesterday (July 27, 2024).

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 28: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap handed over a cheque for RM1 million from Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) to assist in the construction of the new St Margaret’s Church Stampin building.

Yap also presented RM10,000 from his Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocation.

In a statement today, Yap revealed that the total construction cost of the new church building is RM4.23 million. Construction is currently 40 per cent completed.

Yap said Sarawak is different from the other states in Malaysia as it has UNIFOR which is responsible for regulating policies to promote inter-religious harmony while evaluating, proposing and formulating policies, laws and regulations related to various other religions in Sarawak.

“Although the [Gabungan Parti Sarawak] government has succeeded in building a strong multi-religious and multi-racial society through its policy of social inclusivity and impartiality where no community is left behind, we should not take that success for granted and instead continue to build on that effort,” he said when speaking at the St Margaret’s Church Stampin Pastoral Day and Fund Raising Dinner yesterday.

Yap reiterated that economically, Sarawak is now considered a high-income state, with a gross national income (GNI) that surpasses the threshold set by the World Bank under the results-oriented leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.

He shared that this achievement reflects the effectiveness of the GPS leadership policies in stimulating economic growth and nation-building through its socially inclusive policies where no one is left behind.

“All Sarawakians should continue to strengthen unity and spirit of goodwill that promotes courtesy and respect for each other. This is crucial for sustaining Sarawak’s vision towards true prosperity in spirituality, economy, balanced development and high income for the benefit of all Sarawakians,” he said.

Unifor representative Elder Ambrose Linang, retired Anglican bishop Solomon Cheong, Temenggong Nelson Kloni, and other church and community leaders were also present. — DayakDaily