KUCHING, Sept 29: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) contributes another RM500,000 to St Francis’ Anglican Church for its building fund.
The new church building, which was consecrated earlier today, had earlier received RM1 million from Unifor towards construction costs. The church was completed in May this year.
However, the church is still short of about RM3 million, which also would include costs of interior furnishing, furniture and pews.
“St Francis still needs some funds I was told. Unifor will find ways to assist. But tonight I will hand to you RM500,000. Pray that we (Unifor) can look for more (funds for St Francis) by the end of the year,” Uggah said during the church’s consecration dinner at Penview Convention Centre here earlier tonight (Sept 29).
He said without the inclusive policy of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, it would not have been possible for Unifor to be able to help St Francis and other non-Muslim religious bodies in the state.
He disclosed that this year alone, Abang Johari had approved an allocation of RM60 million for Unifor to assist all the other religious bodies in the state.
“For 2017-2018 we have assisted 373 building projects for churches in Sarawak worth almost RM50 million. We are very fortunate because of Unifor.
“So far we have also received 667 applications (for Unifor funding) from all religious groups in Sarawak. So next year I’m appealing to the Chief Minister to give us more allocation, as St Francis still needs some more allocation,” Uggah said.
Also present at the dinner were Unifor director Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu and Stakan assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohammad Ali Mahmud.
Uggah said even Ali, a Muslim, called him several times asking for assistance on behalf of the churches and chapels in his constituency.
“That is being Sarawakian. During these trialling times I appeal to all to assist the government to preserve our harmony so we can continue to develop the state.
“Recently I have disbursed some 30 cheques (from Unifor) to assemblymen throughout the state for churches,” he added.
He also urged the some 1,000 Anglicans and well-wishers attending the dinner to continue supporting the state government to ensure that it would be able to defend and preserve religious harmony and unity in Sarawak.
Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching The Right Reverend Danald Jute expressed his appreciation to the state government through Unifor for its understanding and kindness towards other religious bodies.
“We believe it’s the responsibility of the state and federal governments to help all religious bodies and every community here. We believe that a government that fails to support all is a failed government, and cannot claim to be the government of the people.
“So we truly appreciate the kindness, the understanding and the support of the state government under the leadership of our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and in the person of our Deputy Chief Minister (Uggah) who doesn’t just share the thoughts and philosophies of our Chief Minister, but we believe he has been prodding him (Abang Johari).
“We believe that our Deputy Chief Minister (Uggah) has been the one pushing for a greater share of the state’s prosperity, and this can only augur well for a better Sarawak and a better nation,” he said. — DayakDaily
