KUCHING, Dec 7: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has established an advisory council, which is led by Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
According to a press release issued today by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Sarawak, the council’s members include religious and spiritual leaders as well as leaders of 16 non-Islamic faiths from across the State.
Uggah, who is also the minister-in-charge of Unifor, stated in a meeting today that the formation of the advisory council had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a change in Unifor leadership.
“We really need this forum. We need it to resolve whatever issues, particularly the religious ones, that may crop up from time to time. We are after all living in a borderless world with all these technological advancements.
“There are also the political developments around us and in the world which create a lot of problems. These are all very challenging for us. We do not want problems, especially on religions originating from outside the State, to come ashore to create confusion, anger, disharmony, or disunity among our people.
“With this council, we now have a forum to discuss, deliberate, and reach a consensus for an amicable solution when we face any such issues,” he said.
Uggah said that if religious issues were to be debated in public, it could become very divisive and then very difficult to handle, adding that existing religious and racial harmony in the State must be preserved at all costs for the benefit of all.
“Sarawak is still the most peaceful and united State in the nation where races and religions are concerned,” he stated, adding that members of the council could help Unifor check on the implementation status of approved projects on the ground.
Uggah continued: “Whatever grants are allocated for construction, repairs, or renovations, they must be used at once.
“I have observed some recipients are not doing this. Unifor’s policy is we will not entertain any new request unless the given allocations are spent.
“We need your support although at the moment we do not encounter much problem.”
Meanwhile, on the RM80 million Unifor complex that is under construction, the Deputy Premier said the project is now 70 per cent completed.
He highlighted that upon completion next year, religious bodies registered with Unifor could use it to organise activities and programmes to further strengthen racial and religious unity and harmony.
Meanwhile, Unifor director Datu Jack Aman Luat said the advisory council’s tasks are to promote mutual respect and acceptance among all religions and to provide wise counselling on issues that arise.
“The council will advise Unifor how to respond to religious issues of any kind that affect the peace and harmony of various races and religions in Sarawak. It will mediate when such issues arise,” he said.
Jack further noted that the advisory council would act as a ‘resource’ for Unifor in providing information, recommendations, and proposals from the spiritual perspective of the respective religions for strategic planning and policies on matters and issues pertaining to religious harmony.
He also emphasised that the advisory council would also ensure transparency and accountability from the respective religious bodies or organisations for the funds received from Unifor.
“Newer roles will be included when Unifor expands,” he added. — DayakDaily
