BELAGA: Sarawak is a role model in Malaysia in terms of maintaining unity and tolerance among its multiracial composition, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also expressed similar views, adding that the diversity of religion in Sarawak fuels the nature of tolerance between religions and cultures in the state.
In this regard, he said the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) continues to play a role in looking after the welfare of other religions in Sarawak by channeling allocations every year to build and repair their houses of worship.
He added that UNIFOR was also given allocations to repair buildings and operational assistance for mission schools in Sarawak.
“In 2017, the Sarawak government approved an allocation of RM15 million to be distributed to 77 religious bodies and houses of worship. The allocation increases every year.
“In 2018, RM20 million was approved to help 231 religious bodies and houses of worship. The allocation increased to RM30 million in 2019, increased further to RM20 million in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“This year, around RM20 million has been approved by the state government,” he was quoted saying in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) report.
Uggah’s speech was delivered by Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon at the opening of the Apau Koyan Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Church in Sungai Asap, here on Sunday.
Uggah added that UNIFOR also provided operational assistance of RM20 million to cover the operations of houses of worship affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He then called on all Sarawakians to unite in order to progress in achieving common goals.
“On October 26,2018, I visited this place to hand over a cheque of RM10 million to Apau Koyan BEM Church for the purpose of helping to build and repair the church and establish a BEM Theology Centre here.
“This further proves that the state government is inclusive and very sensitive to the needs of the people in rural areas, especially in providing sustainable basic infrastructure,” Uggah added.
Uggah said the state government has not forgotten the rural communities as it works on achieving the vision of being a developed state by 2030.
In the same ceremony, Uggah announced a special fund of RM630,000 to repair houses of worship in the Murum constituency.
