KUCHING, July 10: Sarawak has a Christian population of 1.1 million, making it the largest religious group statewide.
According to Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Richard Lon, out of Sarawak’s 2.6 million population (2013), about 1.1 million or 42.6 per cent are Christians, 837,200 or 32.2 per cent Muslims, 351,000 or 13.5 per cent Buddhists and 304,000 or 11.7 per cent practise other faiths.
Lon in his briefing to National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sidique when the latter paid a courtesy call to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas this morning, said there are 2,335 churches and temples in Sarawak.
“The Sarawak government since 2016 has provided grants totalling RM115 million to Unifor which has enabled 520 projects to be carried out,” said Lon.
Lon also disclosed that Unifor had also been allocated a 1. 2-hectare site at Ong Tiang Swee Road for the building of its office complex.
Meanwhile, Uggah in his speech said Unifor had played its role in further enhancing solidarity among Sarawakians.
“They now feel they have a place to bring up their problems. We solve which we can solve for them and there is no discrimination.
“Unifor is also a bridge between Islam and the various religious groups where issues which can bring us into conflicts are amicably discussed and resolved for everyone’s benefits,” said Uggah.
He said it was in the nation’s interest too if Sarawak were to continue to enjoy racial and religious harmony and solidarity.
On the Ministry of National Unity, Uggah said it was one of the most important ministries.
“That is why our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin decides to make it a ministry on its own,” said Uggah.
At the function, Halimah presented grants totalling RM3.6 million to the State Rukun Tetangga (RM3,165,800) and to the State Welfare Department (RM459,966.00).
Present at the function were Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon.-DayakDaily
