KUCHING: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) gave a total of RM4.78 million in grants to 35 non-Islamic religious organisations statewide.
“The fund given is to help churches, chapels, and temples in carrying out physical infrastructures, repairs as well as upgrading works,” said its minister in charge Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He added that the presentation of cheques held on Friday (July 9) was the second one to be held.
“Last week, similar grants totalling RM8.5 million were given to a church, two chapels, and a temple for their maintenance,” he added.
Today, Uggah presented the cheques to the state elected representatives or their aides.
Among those who received the cheques were Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri 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 Datuk Henry Harry Jinep; Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang; Seremu assemblyman Miro Simuh; and Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben.
Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Malcom Mussem and Assistant Minister of Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi both sent their representatives to receive the cheques.
According to him, the state government had allocated RM50 million to Unifor this year.
“In addition to it, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg allocated an additional grant of RM5 million to help the organisations with their maintenance,” he said.
