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.
Furthermore, Abang Johari 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
