SIBU: Six mission schools in the division received a total of RM1.1 million from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) here Sunday (Sept 1).
The schools are Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Methodist (M), Sibu, which received RM300,000; Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Methodist, Sibu (RM125,999); Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Methodist Anglo-Chinese, Sarikei (RM176,361); SJK(C) Su Kwong, Sarikei (RM150,000); SJK(C) Tong Hua, Meradong (RM150,000); and SMK Tong Hua, Meradong (RM200,000).
The cheques were presented by the Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom.
In his speech, Dr Rundi said apart from developing the physical infrastructure of non-Islamic religious institutions, Unifor is also working to assist with land applications for cemetery sites.
He said this effort is being undertaken through the Sarawak Unifor Charitable Trust (SUCT) group.
“For example, in Bintulu, I am working to establish a new and larger cemetery for the Christian community, but it is somewhat far from the town centre.
“We require approximately 60 hectares of land, which SUCT has applied for to the Land and Survey Department,” he said.
Dr. Rundi added that there is no more land available to establish a new cemetery within the urban area of Bintulu, necessitating the construction of a new site far from the town centre, near Sebauh.
He said this is due to the influx of people coming to Bintulu to work and settle there.
“Although the proposed new site is somewhat far from the town centre, it provides a larger space for the Christian community; otherwise, we would have no place left,” he said.
He emphasised that Unifor is not only assisting in the physical aspects of churches but can also undertakes many more initiatives related to the care of non-Islamic religious institutions in the state.
Also present was the state Director of Agriculture, Dominic Chunggat.
