KUCHING: Faiths other than Islam will continue to receive assistance from the Sarawak government, with the allocation for the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) increased to RM100mil this year.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the allocation would go towards repairs and upgrading works for non-Muslim houses of worship, with a substantial amount also 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 yesterday.
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 worship under a conducive environment.
“How are you going to pray in peace when the roof is leaking?” he quipped.
Abang Johari added that the state government now had more financial resources to share with Sarawakians after achieving a record-high revenue of nearly RM12bil last year.
The forum was organised by Unifor in conjunction with the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week and Sarawak’s 60th anniversary of independence within Malaysia.
It 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, the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations, and the 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.
“As a Sarawakian, my experience of Sarawak is a land of unity and harmony where we can move forward with mutual respect and acceptance.
“This is something we can pass on to future generations,” he said, while also crediting Sarawak leaders for setting up Unifor for the well-being of various faiths.
