Harmony in mind: Uggah (third from left) having a word with a council member after the meeting to set up the Unifor advisory council.
KUCHING: Sarawak’s Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has set up an advisory council to promote mutual respect and provide advice in responding to religious issues.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah has been appointed as chairman while its members comprise religious and spiritual heads of 16 non-Islamic faiths in Sarawak.
Uggah said the council was needed to help resolve religious issues that might crop up from time to time.
He said Sarawak did not want religious problems from outside the state to come in and create confusion, anger, disharmony or disunity among the people.
“With this council, we now have a forum to discuss and reach a consensus for amicable solutions when we face any such issue.“If they are debated in public, they can become divisive and difficult to handle,” he said when chairing a meeting to set up the advisory council here yesterday.
Uggah also said the religious and racial harmony in the state must be preserved at all costs for the benefit of all.
“Sarawak is still the most peaceful and united state in the nation where race and religion are concerned,” he said.
Unifor director Datuk Jack Aman said the advisory council’s tasks were to promote mutual respect and acceptance among all religions and to provide counsel on issues that arise.
“The council will advise Unifor on how to respond to religious issues of any kind that affect the peace and harmony of various races and religions in Sarawak.
“It will mediate when such issues arise,” he said.
Jack said the council would also provide information and recommendations from the spiritual perspective of the respective religions for strategic planning and policies on matters relating to religious harmony.
In addition, he said it would help ensure transparency and accountability among the respective religious bodies for funds received from Unifor.
“Newer roles will be added when Unifor expands,” he said.
