KUCHING: National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamad Sadique and delegates from her ministry paid a courtesy visit on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here, yesterday.
According to Halimah, she said several matters were discussed with the chief minister — among them were her ministry’s development plans.
“As we know, the National Unity Ministry is not only responsible for managing matters related to national unity. The ministry is also responsible for other projects related to the Department of National Unity and Integration such as Tadika and Taska Perpaduan including the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT),” she told reporters after the visit.
She said as such, other matters discussed included what the ministry was planning to do in terms of providing better infrastructure for the respective KRTs.
“Also, today we have handed over a grant of RM459,966 to the voluntary patrol units (SRS) under the KRT and also for the Tadika and Taska Perpaduan to purchase safety equipment such as face masks, hand sanitisers, and others,” she said.
On another note, she said the ministry also had the opportunity to meet Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to discuss on the role of Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).
“In the ministry, we are in charge of monitoring the non-Muslims houses of worship but in terms of certain powers it is subject to the power of the state government.
“Meaning, when we formulate the standard operating procedure (SOPs) for the reopening of non-Muslim houses of worship, the approval to reopen still lies within the state government,” she said.
Halimah added there was a need for a close relationship between the National Unity Ministry and the state government so that the roles of the ministry could be carried out effectively.
