By Yee Mei
KUCHING, March 12: The United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG) is impressed with what the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has done for Sarawak as a model to promote inter-religious harmony.
Its secretary-general, Rev Dr Duncan Dormor, said this when he learned that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg approved RM20 million this year to help mission schools Statewide.
“In the United Kingdom (UK), where there are many Anglican schools, the majority of the students are Muslims as the local Muslim communities there deeply value the Anglican schools their children attend.
“So, it is lovely to see this in different parts of the world. I think when this happens across countries when it happens transnationally, it builds hope of a generous and open-hearted world,” he said during a dinner hosted by Unifor for international advisors from the USPG led by Dormor here last night (March 11).
The delegates comprised those from Ghana, England, Botswana, Namibia, Canada, India, and the New Zealand Region, including Polynesia and Samoa.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who also serves as minister-in-charge for Unifor, said this reflects Abang Johari’s efforts in protecting the rights and interests of every race and religion in the State.
“He has, without fail, contributed generously to its operating budget. Last year, he had given RM100 million (to Unifor). This year, he has raised it to RM110 million,” said Uggah.
He said that from 2021 until last year, Unifor had spent RM50 million the development and maintenance of 127 mission schools.
In addition, Uggah said that from 2017 to 2022, Unifor spent more than RM333 million on the construction of new churches, chapels, and temples in Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Unifor director Datu Jack Aman Luat; and Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei Rt Revd Datuk Danald Jute were also present. — DayakDaily
