By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, December 7: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) will forward the request of the Kuching City Iban Methodist Church to the state government.
The unit’s director Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu said he had been briefed by the leaders of that church on their needs to expand their church building as well as to acquire a piece of land for a cemetery.
“You have briefed me on your church building extension project costing RM1.5 million yesterday. The church committee has also requested for Unifor to assist in looking for a burial site.
“I will brief our Deputy Chief Minister (Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas) regarding all your proposals.” Ngenang was speaking during the Kuching City Iban Methodist Church Pre-Christmas Dinner at the Christian Ecumenical Centre here today.
Meanwhile, Ngenang reminded church members that Unifor not only looked after the needs, interests and welfare of Christian churches but also other non Islamic religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Sikhism, Bahai and others in Sarawak.
“At the moment Unifor is focusing on the physical development of our houses of worships like churches, chapels and temples, and related infrastructures. We are very thankful to the state government for the financial allocations approved.
“In 2017 the state government allocated RM15 million, RM20 million this year, and RM30 million for next year. These funds are disbursed directly to the churches’ or other religious establishment’s accounts to assist them to construct and repair their houses of worship.
“The fund is also being used to help them construct and repair the priests’ accommodation and other infrastructure needs,” said Ngenang. — DayakDaily
