By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 22: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on Sarawakians to maintain the culture of mutual understanding.
He said Sarawakians are very fortunate because there are a lot of volunteer organisations such as The Salvation Army and others that will be there when the state and the society need their assistance.
“We help one another and we don’t have religious trials so that is important because we understand each other,” he said during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new operating centre of The Salvation Army in Kota Samarahan today.
Abang Johari further said The Salvation Army and Muslim volunteer associations have contributed to such an environment through their good deeds and obligations to assist members of society.
“Therefore, I would like all of us to maintain this culture in our state and the government will defend and maintain our own culture of understanding,” he added.
He also described The Salvation Army as a temporary shelter for deprived members of society where they are trained and cared for and after that, they will be on their own and contribute back to society.
The new facility would see the relocation of The Salvation Army’s current residential homes, currently at Jalan Ban Hock and Jalan Uplands in Kuching.
It will also be an upgrade for the organisation as they will be occupying a 7.5-acre site, with a 60-year lease allocated by the state government through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).
Unifor has also allocated a RM4 million grant to assist with the construction, with additional aid by Borneo Medical Centre worth RM9 million to construct the new building.
The Salvation Army Kuching needs an additional RM2 million to complete the renovation works of its new premises in Kota Samarahan.
For further details, contact the Salvation Army Kuching at 082-333981.
Among those present were Salvation Army Malaysia Regional officer Major Francis Ng, regional director for Women’s Ministries Major Mary Ng, Salvation Army Kuching Corps officer and team leader Captain Raymond Aloba, and organising chairman Dato Steve Ng. — DayakDaily
