KUCHING: A total of 74 houses of worship across Sarawak have been given grants totalling RM20.66 million as part of the third phase of the Assistance Fund for Places of Worship of Other Religions.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that there remains an unutilised balance of RM9.576 million from the total allocation of RM110 million provided to the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) for this year.
He emphasised that some recipients from the past one to two years have not yet utilised their funds, stating that the aid is meant to help houses of worship tackle financial challenges rather than act as long-term savings.
“We still have some recipients from one to two years ago who have not utilised these funds. Therefore, our policy is clear: if the earlier allocated funds are not used, we cannot provide additional support.
“This is not a place for you to look for a ‘fixed deposit’ for your houses of worship; rather, it is meant to solve your existing problems,” he said during the Phase 3-2024 grant presentation ceremony for the Assistance Fund for Places of Worship of Other Religions, today.
Uggah stressed the importance of using the aid effectively for the benefit of their respective communities.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil.
