SIBU, Oct 19: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) is not only helping religious institutions’ houses of worship, but also cemeteries, says its director Richard Lon.
“Unifor not only helps churches, temples, shrines and other houses of worship but also extends its role to cemeteries.
“I want longhouse chieftains to know that Unifor is helping on this matter.
“Like the cemeteries of the Iban community in longhouses, Unifor can help in terms of building roads, the ‘pedara’ house or the ‘penyangkai’ house (a special place for a funeral-related ceremony),” he said when speaking at the Unifor Cheque Presentation and Rice Distribution ceremony in the Menyan area today.
The ceremony was officiated by Dudong Assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing who was represented by his special officer Johnny Lim.
Also present were Sibu Rural District Council (MDLBS) deputy chairman Councilor Wong Ching Yong and Da Wang Sungai Menyan Believers Association chairman Kapitan Kong Kim Hong.
He suggested that community leaders, especially longhouse residents, should know this because Unifor does not only help churches and temples.
Tiong in his text of his speech read by Lim also said that the establishment of Unifor is one of the concrete and real actions in translating the meaning of togetherness and inclusiveness by the State government.
He said the State government is channeling aid to non-Muslims through Unifor as they also need the government’s assistance.
“The establishment of Unifor as a State government agency was the brainchild of the former Chief Minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, who was responsible for regulating policies to promote harmony between religions in addition to evaluating, proposing and formulating policies, laws and regulations related to religious affairs of non-Muslims in Sarawak.
“Unifor will be the basis for applications for funds and land for the construction of new churches or temples or repairs,” he said.
Tiong said since it was first introduced in 2017, Unifor has provided an allocation of RM215 million for the building or repairing of houses of worship for non-Muslim, RM30 million for missionary schools and RM10 million for administrative purposes. — DayakDaily
