By Nathaniel Yu
SARAWAK is known as the land of unity where its people of different races and religions coexist in peace and harmony.
The state is often referred to as a model state for unity and racial and religious harmony in Malaysia.
To have freedom of religion is never an issue but this is upheld and even celebrated where Sarawakians mutually respect and celebrate each other’s beliefs and practices.
Thanks to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government which rejects elements that contradict the guarantee of religious freedom.
In continuing to ensure that the welfare of other religions is always preserved, the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) was officially established by the state government on April 27, 2017.
Sarawak is the first and only state in Malaysia to have such a dedicated unit that looks after non-Islamic affairs.
This is in line with the state government’s commitment to practising the policy of inclusivity of all races and religions in Sarawak.
The establishment of UNIFOR as a state government agency was the brainchild of the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg ensured the unit was brought to fruition, leading to UNIFOR coming under the Premier’s Office, specifically under the portfolio of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
UNIFOR’s mission is to foster and promote greater understanding, tolerance, acceptance, mutual respect,
and cooperation among individuals of different religions in the state.
It also ensures the needs of the various non-Islamic religious groups in the state are effectively addressed.
At the same time, the unit provides financial assistance for the physical development of various houses of worship in the state, including for repairs and upgrades, building/rebuilding, fixtures/fittings and burial grounds.
In addition, a committee under UNIFOR was also set up to look into the needs of mission schools in Sarawak.
Another milestone for UNIFOR is the setting up of the RM70 million UNIFOR Complex, which is located
along Jalan Ong Tiang Swee in Kuching.
The complex, is set to be a landmark of unity among the people of various religions in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, since the establishment of UNIFOR, the state government has allocated increasing amounts of funds every year to assist non-Islamic religions through the unit.
In 2017, RM15 million was approved for UNIFOR, followed by RM20 million in 2018, RM30 million in 2019, and RM50 million in 2020 and 2021.
As for this year, UNIFOR has allocated RM24.643 million to finance 86 projects under its Phase 1 grant distribution.
All said, Abang Johari sums up the continued need to always foster religious tolerance in the state.
“I feel all religions must have discipline and strive for God and mankind. That is why as leaders in GPS, we hold steadfastly to this policy.
“I officiated at the earth-breaking ceremony of a mosque costing about RM10 million in Belaga.
“Do you know who asked for that mosque? It was Datuk Liwan Lagang, Belaga assemblyman.
“He is not a Muslim but he said, ‘Let’s build a mosque in Belaga for the Muslim community’.
“That is the beauty — a non-Muslim looking after the welfare of Muslims. Of course, we have built an RM10 million church also in Belaga.
“That is fair — RM10 million for a church and RM10 million for a mosque. We are fair.
“That is the beauty of Sarawak and we must protect this beauty.” said Abang Johari.
Artist’s impression of UNIFOR Complex
