KUCHING: The Sarawak government has reassured that the welfare of the mission schools will continue to be taken care of.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the mission schools’ infrastructure has been repaired under the funds from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), a unit set up by the state government.
“Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was telling me what happened in Kapit. It is learned that the government school is now facing problems due to insufficient funds (from the federal government) to improve the school.
“But all mission schools in Sarawak are being repaired by the state government, and this is the approach we are taking.
“In fact, despite us coming from different political divides, we have one common objective which is to help the people and to provide good education to Sarawakians,” he said during the Anglican Christmas open house held at St Thomas Cathedral parish hall here today (Dec 26).
Abang Johari said that he too has benefited from mission schools.
“During the Brooke rule, Francis Thomas McDougall came here and started the mission schools and it became a legacy where many of us received education from these schools.
“If it is not because of education, I do not know where we will be now. And because of the spirit of togetherness, we are able to build our community with such a high level of tolerance.
“I for one also come from the mission schools, including many others. So, we (state government) are now contributing back to society,” he said.
Among the initiatives, he said, war the formation of UNIFOR to assist the various houses of worship, including mission schools.
“Besides that, we have just passed the Sovereign Wealth Future Fund Bill where we are going to save part of the state’s revenue for the future of Sarawakians.
“It is our aspiration that one day we can give free tertiary education, especially to Sarawakian students to study in Sarawak-owned universities,” said Abang Johari.
