MIRI: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has assured that the state government will continue to support people of all faiths.
Speaking at the launch of the 14th Christmas parade at Dataran Kipas on Saturday evening he said this support will encompass healthy religious beliefs, education and activities.
“We reject all expressions of extremist ideologies that put down other people who are ‘different’ from us,” he said in his speech delivered by state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin who represented him.
Over 40,000 people braved the rain to witness the parade which was participated by 14 churches here.
“Christmas is about peace which should remind us that we cannot afford to be complacent but continue to work hard to preserve, safeguard and enhance peace and harmony among our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious groups,” said Abang Johari.
“I value the Christian community in playing a critical role in educating young and old alike to walk the path of peace in our troubled world,” he added.
In a related development he disclosed that the Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) has allocated a piece of land and given out funds for an ACS Ecumenical Centre along the Miri By-pass.
Abang Johari expressed confidence that through Unifor and Sarawak’s policies, the state will showcase progress, prosperity and peace to the whole of Malaysia and the region.
The 14 churches iwhich took part in the event were the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM), Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Calvary Charismatic Centre, Seventh Day Adventist, Agape Kingdom Church, Open Heaven 611 Bread of Life, Persatuan Penganut Kristian Injil Malaysia (PPKIM), Cornerstone Community Church, New Generation Church and Bethany Church of Malaysia (BCM).
Various Christmas concerts were staged by the participating churches.
A total of 12 decorated floats also accompanied the contingents along the parade around the city.
Also present at the event were Deputy Minister for Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, Pujut assemblyman cum Miri Mayor Adam Yii and organising chairman Pastor Lim Thien Leong of the Baptist Church.
At the event, they contributed a total RM160,000 in support of this year’s Christmas parade.
