By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 11: A total of 807 projects funded by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in Sarawak have been completed to date, amounting to RM109.8 million, while 616 more projects are currently ongoing, totalling RM120.5 million.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his speech delivered by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, reiterated the State government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and religious harmony through continued financial support to various religious institutions across the State.
“Since the establishment of Unifor in 2017, our Sarawak government has given a total allocation of RM385 million to numerous places of worship, such as temples and churches reaffirming Sarawak government’s commitment on inclusivity to other religious houses of worship across Sarawak.
“Rest assured, we will continue to do so because this is GPS’ (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) promise to our people, as demonstrated over the past seven years,” he said during an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony held tonight at a prominent hotel here in conjunction with the 78th birthday celebration of Sarawak Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He went on to say that the financial assistance under Unifor is provided to facilitate physical development and upgrading works for houses of worship, especially when their budgets are insufficient to cover building and maintenance costs.
This gesture, the Premier stressed, is part of the Sarawak government’s dedication to promoting unity and inclusivity among its diverse communities.
“As the Premier of Sarawak, I can assure you that our Sarawak government will continue to be generous and to provide the necessary funding for our houses of worship, through Unifor because as a Muslim, I believe in the basic principle whereby, the more we give, the more we will be blessed by the Almighty, which I believe is also found in all our religious beliefs,” he added.
In his speech, Abang Johari also noted that the financial autonomy gained through the implementation of the State Sales Tax (SST) in 2019 has significantly contributed to Sarawak’s ability to finance various development projects.
“To date, we have been able to have more financial autonomy with the income from the State Sales Tax, since it was implemented in 2019.
“And with additional income from SST and other economic generators, we have been able to implement countless projects worth billions of ringgit that will benefit the rakyat, including the financing of numerous houses of worship, such as churches for our Christian brothers and sisters, and temples for our devotees and members of Buddhism, Taoism, Baha’ism, Sikhism, and Hinduism across Sarawak,” he explained.
The Premier emphasised that the Sarawak government remains committed to its development agenda under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, with social inclusivity being a key component of achieving a developed status by 2030.
Abang Johari further expressed his hope for continued unity among Sarawakians regardless of race or religion, as unity is key to sustaining peace and prosperity in the region.
Furthermore, the Premier expressed his heartfelt wishes for TYT and his wife, Toh Puan, stating, “On this auspicious day, we offer our sincere prayers for His Excellency Tun and Toh Puan’s continued health, happiness, and strength.
“May His Excellency, our Governor Tun be blessed with wisdom to continue leading our beloved Sarawak, the Land of the Hornbills, to greater heights.”
He also highlighted TYT’s exemplary role in fostering unity and inclusivity across the diverse state, noting that Tun Wan Junaidi’s vast political and professional experience has contributed significantly to Sarawak’s development.
The ceremony featured prayers from representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Baha’ism, Taoism, and Sikhism, followed by cultural performances.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Dr Sim’s wife, Datin Amar Enn Ong Siok Ean; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs), Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat; and Unifor director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau. — DayakDaily
