KUCHING: Construction of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) Complex at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee is currently at 22.63 per cent, or three percent ahead of schedule.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the soon-to-be completed 10-storey building costs RM63.6 million.
“The contract value of this project is RM63.6 million, a 10-storey building with a conference hall on a three-acre site.
“We are very pleased with the progress, it’s ahead of schedule. We are also very confident of the progress of the project which is scheduled to be completed in July 2024,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Unifor chairman, is confident that construction undertaken by Hong Seng Construction EM (East Malaysia) Sdn Bhd which began its works in July 2022, will run smoothly.
He was on a site visit to the Unifor construction site to receive latest updates on the complex and once completed, it will become a gathering point for religious communities and celebrate their faiths.
“Besides the Unifor headquarters, we are also discussing with other non-Islamic religious groups to see if they need a space to perform religious activities in the building.
“The meeting hall will be a meeting place. That will be an income generating facility for the state government. We will see what other services can be provided once the building is completed,” he said.
Following that, Uggah said that the development of the project is a clear indication that under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Unifor is a manifestation of Sarawak’s inclusivity policies which ensures that the interest and the welfare of all the religions in Sarawak is being taken care of.
“A sum of RM80 million has been approved for the project by the state government, so we are confident that we have sufficient funds to meet the requirements for the project,” he added.
Unifor Charitable Trust was established by the state government, which is the owner and manager of the Unifor Complex. The trust is responsible for raising and managing the funds, property and maintenance.
Among those present during the site visit were Deputy Premier Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Unifor director Jack Aman Luat, Unifor Charitable Trust board member Yussibnosh Balo and Hong Seng Construction (EM) Sdn Bhd managing director, Datuk Tan Jit Kee.
