Uggah: 380 Unifor projects worth RM90 mln implemented across Sarawak this year

KUCHING (Dec 8): Some 380 projects have been successfully implemented through the Unit for Other Religons (Unifor) funds amounting to RM90 million thus far this year, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who oversees Unifor said these projects comprised the construction, improvement and maintenance works of the various places of worship across Sarawak.

“A total of 129 missionary schools in the state also received continuous financial assistance amounting to RM20 million to improve facilities and ensure a safe, comfortable and conducive teaching and learning environment.

“This reflects the strong commitment of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to meeting the needs of the various religious communities and efforts to strengthen harmony among the people,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report.

He said this in his welcoming address during the Unifor appreciation dinner graced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at a leading hotel here on Sunday.

From 2017 to Nov 20, Uggah said the Unifor project monitoring and compliance team had supervised 2,640 projects involving various houses of worship and 652 missionary school projects, with a total value of RM475 million.

He said out of the total projects, 1,265 had been completed, 1,148 were still being implemented, 73 had yet to commence and 154 had not submitted their respective reports.

On missionary school developments, he said a total of 652 projects had been approved, with 375 completed, 239 being implemented, 22 waiting to commence and 16 pending submission of reports.

He urged all religious leaders to advise the parties concerned who had yet to submit their reports to do so as soon as possible.

“Our policy is clear. If we have not received your report and the funds have been spent, your new application will be rejected without hesitation,” he said.

Uggah added that all the complete records are very important as Unifor adheres to government requirements that uphold transparency in every expenditure.

Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Cabinet members, Unifor director Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau and other local dignitaries.