KUCHING: The Sarawak government has distributed more than RM200 million in grants to non-Muslim organisations and houses of worship through the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR).
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said since the establishment of UNIFOR, giving assistance to recipients has been consistent as part of the government’s efforts to protect the interests of all Sarawakians regardless of race and religion.
“Last year, the government also allocated RM5 million for COVID-19 operational expenses to help fund the operating costs of non-Muslim houses of worship such as temples and churches.
“This year we also allocated another RM5 million for that purpose,” he said when met after officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for the San Seng Tong Centre for Buddhism Culture and Education at Jalan Wan Abdul Rahman yesterday.
Dr Sim also said UNIFOR functions as a charitable trust that allows non-Muslim organisations to carry out their activities.
“UNIFOR does not belong to the government, it belongs to all other religions.
“This charitable trust was established with the view that in the future, non-Muslim bodies and houses of worship will have funds to carry out their own activities,” he said.
Concerning the San Seng Tong Centre, Dr Sim said the project cost about RM10 million and was expected to be completed by 2024.
The Buddhist Culture and Education Centre project involves the expansion of the San Seng Tong Temple and also includes the main temple, kindergarten, youth centre, meditation room, bedroom and multi-purpose hall to accommodate various activities and cultivate future Buddhist leaders.
Also present were political secretary to the Premier Tan Kai, UNIFOR representative Ambrose Linang, San Seng Tong Buddhist Association chairman Datin Amar Lim Su Kheng and Lee Onn Group managing director Datuk Tan Guek Kee.
