Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (right) chatting with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah upon arriving at the Malaysia Interfaith Harmony Week forum in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to assist non-Muslim faiths in the state, with the allocations for the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to go up to RM100mil this year.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the allocations would go towards repairs and upgrading works for non-Muslim houses of worship.
He said a substantial amount would also be used to assist Chinese and mission schools.
"Many mission schools in rural areas are in need of financial aid.
"They can get assistance from the Federal Government but it will be slow, so the state government will provide assistance through Unifor," he told reporters after attending the Malaysia Interfaith Harmony Week forum here on Monday (Feb 20).
Abang Johari said this was part of the state's commitment to build an inclusive society.
"What is important is that we create a harmonious atmosphere," he said.
In his speech earlier, the Premier said social inclusivity was an important pillar of Sarawak's post-Covid-19 development strategy towards achieving high-income status by 2030.
He said this involved looking after everyone regardless of race or religion.
"The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government believes in sharing, that's why we formed Unifor.
"We help the non-Muslims and mission schools, we build houses of worship so that people can pray in peace.
"How are you going to pray in peace when the roof is leaking?" Abang Johari quipped.
He added that the state government now had more financial resources to share with Sarawakians by achieving a record-high revenue of nearly RM12bil last year.
Unifor director Datuk Jack Aman said the forum was held in conjunction with the United Nations' World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed in the first week of February, as well as Sarawak's 60th anniversary of independence within Malaysia.
"This forum aims to promote respect, appreciation and acceptance in religious and cultural diversity through dialogue, education and public awareness.
"It is also a platform to share experience, knowledge and good practices to promote harmonious relationships between us and within our communities," he said.
The forum featured seven panellists from the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), Malaysia Buddhist Association Sarawak branch, Malaysia Hindu Sangam Sarawak branch, the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i in Sarawak, Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations and Sarawak Sikh Temple Association.
Panellist Archbishop Simon Poh from ACS called for harmony and unity to be protected and promoted at all levels of education, employment and the civil service.
"We need to embrace a mindset change to move from tolerance to mutual acceptance and respect," he said, adding that his experience as a Sarawakian was one of unity in diversity between the various races, faiths and cultures in the state.
He also gave credit to the Sarawak leaders for setting up Unifor to address and promote the welfare of various faiths.
