KUCHING, July 9: Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) under the Chief Minister’s Office today presented grants totalling RM4.780 million to 35 non-Islamic religious organisations in the State.
Its minister-in-charge Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that the Sarawak government had allocated RM50 million to Unifor this year to help churches, chapels and temples carry out physical infrastructures, repairs and upgrading works.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had also allocated an additional grant of RM5 million to help in their maintenance,” he said in a brief address before presenting the cheques to the respective state elected representatives or their aides.
The presentation this morning was the second to be held as last week, a similar grant totalling RM8.5 million had been disbursed to a church, two chapels and a temple.
Among those receiving the cheques today were the Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Native Land Development Assistant Minister Datuk Roland Sagah, Transport Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh and Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben.
Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Malcom Mussen and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s office (Islamic Affair and DBKU) Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi both sent their representatives.
Unifor director Richard Lon was among those present. — DayakDaily
