By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, Dec 19: The Sarawak Government’s commitment to safeguarding inter-religious harmony and ensuring balanced development, including in rural and interior areas, continues to be reinforced through the allocation of RM1.032 million from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to churches in the Telang Usan constituency.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau said the allocation underscores the State government’s inclusive policy, which upholds justice and equality regardless of religion or geographical location.
“The Sarawak government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg consistently ensures that all communities, including those in remote and interior areas, receive due attention and support.
“Unifor is not merely financial assistance; it symbolises the government’s care for the harmony and well-being of the people,” he said at the Unifor allocation presentation ceremony for churches in the Telang Usan area, held at the Telang Usan Service Centre here on Thursday (Dec 18).
He said the allocation was distributed to six main recipients, namely Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Long Lutin, which received RM300,000; the Bishop of Miri — Emmanuel Catholic Church, Long Apu (RM250,000); St Peter Church Long Sobeng (RM125,000); and BEM Long Anyat (RM150,000).
Also receiving allocations were the Bishop of Miri — St Petrus Church, Long Palai, which received RM107,000, and the St Pius National School Management Board, which was allocated a total of RM100,000 through two cheques amounting to RM87,000 and RM13,000.
Dennis stressed that all recipients must ensure the funds are utilised strictly for the purposes approved in their applications and managed with transparency and integrity.
“Every sen of public funds must directly benefit the community. Proper expenditure records must be maintained to facilitate monitoring and any future requests for additional allocations,” he said.
He also reminded that changes in church leadership or committee members should not disrupt the implementation of approved projects, emphasising that Unifor allocations belong to the institution and the community, not individuals.
The ceremony reflected the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to fostering unity, mutual respect among followers of different faiths, and ensuring that the development of houses of worship is carried out in an inclusive and effective manner for the well-being of Sarawak’s diverse society. — DayakDaily
