Unifor complex ahead of schedule, says Uggah

KUCHING: The construction of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) Complex was 70.66 per cent complete as of November. 

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the progress is 0.66 per cent ahead of the scheduled 70 per cent. 

“This complex, built with a RM80 million grant from the state government, occupies a prime commercial location at Ong Tiang Swee Road.

“It is a nine- storey office cum commercial complex, which comprises commercial units, office space, one main hall with a capacity for 150 tables, meeting rooms and rooftop garden,” he said when officiating at the opening of the new House of Epiphany at St Thomas’ Cathedral here on Monday (Dec 4). 

Uggah added the complex will be under the Unifor Charitable Trust, which is formed under the Charitable Trust Ordinance. 

Meanwhile, the Unifor Charitable Trust is to manage Unifor assets.

On another note, he said to date, Sarawak has registered a total of 2,453 non-Muslim houses of worship, with a total of 1,694,142 members throughout Sarawak. 

“Since 2017, the Sarawak government has approved and allocated a total of RM333,118,000 to various houses of worship in Sarawak.

“Out of the total allocation, 24.5 per cent or RM81,558,000 was allocated to the Roman Catholic Church supporting 643,503 members and 509 houses of worship.

“This was followed by the Anglican Church, with  21.2 per cent or RM70,519,000 supporting a total of 300 houses of worship,” he said. 

He added the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Church received a total of RM59,700,000 (17.9 per cent), supporting a total of 635 houses of worship.

“The Buddhist temple received a total of RM37,060,000 (11.1 per cent) supporting a total of 152 houses of worship. This was followed by the Methodist Church (RM27,977,000) and Seventh Day Adventist Church (RM12,026,000),” he said. 

Other houses of worship, he said included Confucianism, Taoism and Traditional Religion which received a total of RM10,198,000, Sikh Temple (RM9,860,000), Hindu (RM4,260,000) and many more.

“There is no issue of Unifor not being fair. Before it approves any application, its officers will come to the ground to inspect the project site. 

“The officers will do their studies based on plans and cost estimates made. On this matter, may I remind some recipients of  the grants who had yet to use them to do so as soon as possible. It is Unifor’s policy not to consider any new application until the allocated grant is spent,” said Uggah.