UNIFOR complex nearing completion, ready next year: Uggah

KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas expressed confidence that the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) complex at Ong Tiang Swee Road here will be completed next year, ahead of schedule.

The construction progress, currently at 70.66 per cent as of November, is ahead of the scheduled 70.03 per cent, marking a 0.63 per cent lead.

Poised to be a prominent landmark in the city, the 10-storey complex is poised to symbolise religious harmony and understanding, potentially being the nation’s only one of its kind.

The complex will accommodate commercial units, office spaces, a dining hall for over 1,500 individuals, meeting rooms and a rooftop garden.

Speaking at the UNIFOR appreciation night dinner at Pullman Hotel here last night, Uggah highlighted Sarawak’s religious diversity, noting the presence of 2,453 non-Muslim houses of worship with membership of 1,771,586 individuals statewide.

He also underscored the state government’s support, which has allocated RM313.15 million to these religious institutions since 2017.

The Roman Catholic Church received RM81.558 million (24.5 per cent), followed by the Anglican Church (RM70.51 million — 21.2 per cent) supporting approximately 300 churches and chapels.

The Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Church obtained RM59.7 million (17.9 per cent) aiding 635 churches, while other religious groups received their respective allocations, contributing to the diverse religious landscape of Sarawak.

Meanwhile, the Buddhist group received RM37.06 million (11.1 per cent), supporting 152 temples.

“The Methodist Church received RM27.977 million and the Seventh Day Adventist Church RM12.026 million.

“Other houses of worship, namely Confucianism, Taoism and traditional religions were given a total of RM101.19 million, while the Sikh Temple received RM9.86 million and Hindu Temples RM4.260 million,” Uggah said.

Highlighting UNIFOR’s broader support, Uggah said its assistance to mission schools, numbering 127, totalled RM50 million from 2021 to 2023.