KUCHING, Aug 8: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Woman chief Kho Teck Wan has called on Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Youth to champion and support Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) instead of being petty about the latter receiving assistance from Sarawak government.
PSB Youth has recently questioned the state government’s rationale for allocating RM70 million for the construction of Unifor’s new complex.
Putting facts on the table, Kho said Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to have such a unit to look after the issues related to other religions so that the state can maintain its racial and religious harmony.
She also said non Muslims constitute 75 per cent of Sarawak’s population.
“The Unifor complex is a symbol of religious harmony and unity in Sarawak. Now the state government has set up a state funded charitable trust for the welfare of non Muslims called Unifor Charitable Trust.
“Any Sarawakians irrespective of any religion should be proud of the inclusiveness given by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state leadership.
“As a responsible and financially savvy government under the leadership of Abang Johari, he is taking a sustainable approach to ensure the government not only can support Sarawakians right now, but in the future as well,” Kho said in a statement, today.
She pointed that Unifor Charitable Trust is one of the sustainable initiatives to assist the welfare of non Muslim Sarawakians.
“It will have the functions similar to Baitumal that takes care of Muslims’ welfare. However, PSB youth questioned the budget of RM70 millions in building Unifor complex.
“They should know better that having its own building will not only provide office venue for Unifor itself but it can generate sustainable income for its Charitable Trust. With this, Unifor can continue to provide funding to take care of the welfare of non Muslims in Sarawak,” she said.-DayakDaily
