BAU: Openness and tolerance among Sarawakians have been key to fostering unity in the state.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi stressed that such attitudes are important to reject elements of extremism which may cause a divide in society.
“Sarawak is different from the other states in the country as the communities here have a strong sense of tolerance for one another.
“One’s background and religious views do not matter, as long as you respect each other, that’s more important,” he said after officiating at the opening of the St Thomas More Catholic Church in Kampung Kandis, today.
Speaking at the same event, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh also expressed similar views, saying that Sarawakians should always embody the tagline ‘Unity in Diversity’ and called for unity to be maintained and strengthened in the state.
According to Miro, apart from the construction of the St Thomas More Catholic Church, there are five more churches being built in Serembu constituency.
He added that the existing churches in his constituency were also upgraded for the comfort of churchgoers.
Earlier, Dr Rundi and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, Simon Poh officiated at the opening.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Transport (Marine and Riverine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, director of the Unit of Other Religion (UNIFOR) Richard Lon and St Stephen Church Rector Fr Peter Liston.
The newly-built church took about two and a half years to complete at a cost of about RM1.6 million.
The old church was demolished in August 2017 and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new one was held in October the same year.
