KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to assist non-Islamic religious bodies through the state’s Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) here, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said that the religious freedom had long been practised in the state, and to further assist the other religions, Unifor was established.
“Through Unifor, the other religions will be able to maintain their places of worship,” he told reporters during a visit to lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani’s Deepavali open house at King’s Curry Restaurant, Jalan Rumbia yesterday.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak was the only the state in Malaysia to establish such unit with the purpose of taking care of the other religions.
He said the state was very fortunate and blessed to have people of different races, religions and cultures with a high degree of tolerance for each other.
“The closely-knit society in Sarawak has enabled to us to move forward together,” he pointed out.
“Mutual respect is vital and that every religion, be it Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, teaches good values and ethics.
“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Indian friends who are celebrating ‘Happy Deepavali’.
“And I am sure this festival of light will shower us with more luck, prosperity and a better future,” said Abang Johari.
