MUKAH: A suggestion from a political secretary for the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to pay a fixed salary (allowance) to priests in Sarawak has received support from an assemblyman.
Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo said if the state government had enough revenue, this should be done.
“This has to involve all religions in line with the government’s policy to create a progressive society regardless of race and religion,” he said to New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Edwin Banta, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, was reported by a local English daily on Sept 16 to have made the proposal.
“My proposal is that I wish for the (state) government through Unifor to give a salary to priests instead of them having to rely on (public) donations only.
“I am suggesting for Unifor to give salaries to priests similar to those ustaz under Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak (Jais) paid monthly by the state government.
“It is better that it is standardised, now that we have Unifor,” he suggested.
