KUCHING, July 10: The National Unity Ministry will adopt and adapt the concept of Unit For Other Religions (Unifor), which is uniquely Sarawakian.
This followed after National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sidique gave a big thumbs up for Unifor which is promoting co-operation, understanding, tolerance, acceptance and mutual respect between Islam and various other religions.
That has made the unit “a very practical and important” institution, according to Halimah, when paying a courtesy call on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also the minister in charge of Unifor.
Halimah who was accompanied by her deputy minister Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, the Chief Secretary to her ministry Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Md Radzi and its Director-General Datuk Hisamuddin Mohd Sujak said her ministry would work very closely with Unifor and to learn from its wide experience in dealing with all religious issues.
“We want to adopt and adapt the concept of Unifor into our Jawatankuasa Keharmonian Kaum.
“Please guide and advise us,” she said.
Unifor was formed in 2016 by the late Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem while present Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg ensures that it is well supported by the Sarawak government.
“We have learnt and are continuing to learn a lot from Sarawak in term of promoting and strengthening racial and religious tolerance, unity and harmony.
“And Unifor is a perfect vehicle to achieve this and with great success,” said Halimah.
She said in her recent meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, she had told him about Unifor as well as its objectives and roles.
The King had wanted to know her ministry’s roles in promoting inter-faith unity and harmony.
Halimah said she would be meeting the King again soon together with the national heads of all religions in the country and heads of religious organisations.
“I am inviting Datuk Amar to attend this meeting over high tea. He can then brief our King on the formation and role of Unifor,” she said.
Also present at the courtesy call was Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.—DayakDaily
