By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 11: Since its establishment in 2017, the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) has allocated a total of RM565 million, with RM475 million for houses of worship and RM90 million for mission schools.
The statement was made by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a speech text delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony held in conjunction with the 79th Birthday Celebration of the Sarawak Governor (TYT) at Imperial Hotel here last night (Oct 10).
Abang Johari said the allocation reflected the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s proven commitment over the past seven years to support and uplift all faith communities.
“We have been able to assist other religions to build or rebuild houses of worship and help mission schools because Sarawak now has quite a strong financial standing.
“Our revenue has increased two-fold from RM6 billion eight years ago to RM14.2 billion in 2024.
“Our Sarawak Budget 2025 amounts to RM15.8 billion, the biggest in Sarawak’s history and that is why we are able to implement more projects for the benefit of our people, including projects under UNIFOR, particularly the UNIFOR Complex in Jalan Ong Tiang Swee which costs RM80 million,” he asserted.
He added that the State’s growing revenue has also enabled the GPS government to expand road networks and infrastructure to improve connectivity and support economic growth.
Meanwhile, the government is also implementing Second Trunk Road (STR) project from Samarahan to the Pan Borneo Highway at Roban junction, the Coastal Highway project connecting towns from the south to the north, as well as a new deep sea port and airport at Tanjung Embang, with an estimated cost of up to RM100 billion, to strengthen Sarawak’s international connectivity.
“The Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) will see enhanced efforts to add value to our natural capital, especially in realising the potential of our many rivers to generate clean energy, and our oil and gas resources to produce petrochemical products and energy,” he said further.
He also said the Sarawak government will provide free tertiary education at Sarawak-owned universities starting next year.
Abang Johari concluded his message, saying it was heart-warming to see people of different faiths and backgrounds coming together in unity. — DayakDaily
